The World in 30 Years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih8DsXAZgNM

This idea for this video was made up by Ming Jai, a Hong Kong Youtuber by the user name mingjai14. His idea was to portray the world 30 years from now, with Apple taking over the world with its technology.


Every year, Apple comes up with new and/or improved products. They get bigger in capacity and thinner in dimension. If technology keeps growing at this rate, it would take over the world, like what Ming Jai is trying to display.

Hello Kitty Cafe

Currently there are three Hello Kitty Cafe around the world. One in Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Japan, being the creator of Hello Kitty has just opened the latest Hello Kitty Cafe last year. Korea’s Hello Kitty Cafe is located in the capital of Korea, Seoul. Hello Kitty Cafe offers customers a great place which is fully decorated with Hello Kitty theme. 


Personally, I think the Hello Kitty Cafe has the cutest interior and exterior designs. Judging from the pictures, the plating is very cute and unique and I'm impressed that they can make any dish they serve resemble a Hello Kitty. But since this cafe is Hello Kitty themed, it targets females and children instead of the whole population.

Paradise Kiss - Ai Yazawa

Paradise Kiss is a manga written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa, who is also the creator of Nana, a really popular manga series in Japan. Paradise Kiss is about a typical high-school student named Yukari who listens to her parents and attends school everyday. As she starts to question her way of life, she encounters a group of fashion design students who has a clothing label known as "Paradise Kiss". The group needs to find a model to showcase their designs in an up-coming fashion show and decides to pick Yukari instead. Initially, she was reluctant to be associated with this seemingly eccentric group, but eventually, she realises that they are really nice people. Furthermore, their passion and enthusiasm to follow their ideals and dreams make Yukari realise that she has not been enjoying her life and this motivated her to pursue her own dreams.



This manga was popular enough to get an anime but now it is getting a live action movie which is coming out in July, 2011.

A few years ago, I watched the first episode of the anime, but it didn't interest me at all. But recently, I read the manga, and I really liked it. I found Paradise Kiss inspiring and motivational, but I was not satisfied with the ending. Maybe because I prefer happy endings in manga and felt like it was too short. The ending was also too sudden.

Interactive Youtube Videos

Not so long ago, there are some Youtubers that started to make interactive videos. When Youtube was first created, it was a site used to upload, share and view videos. But now as everything enhances, you can put links to other videos within a video.

Now you can play instruments, magic tricks, and video games on Youtube. I think this is creative because instead of just watching a video, the viewer can also get involved and interact with the video. It makes it more exiting and fun.

Playing Bass/Piano:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm90BM8-4Fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD-sSolVDiY

Street Fighter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwFZ8_d7TPU&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_55233

Gintama Season 5

Gintama is a comedic manga/anime written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi. The story is set in an Edo which has been conquered by aliens named Amanto. The plot follows a samurai named Gintoki Sakata's point of view, who works as a freelancer alongside Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura in order to pay the monthly rent. Sorachi added the science fiction setting to develop characters to his liking after his editor suggested doing a historical series.


After episode 201, Gintama has been on hiatus. The reason for it has not been confirmed and many fans thought it was cancelled. But it was announced a few months after that it will be airing again on April 4th 2011.


To me, Gintama has been consistently the most funniest series ever. Although it's a comedy/parody, there are also a touch of seriousness which I like about it. It has a cast of minor characters that keeps growing but never overstaying their welcome. I enjoy their parodies and references that they make to poke fun at everything in pop culture.

Circle Contact Lenses

Circle Lenses is a cosmetic contact lens was originally invented in Korea. The purpose of these lenses is to make the eye's iris appear larger. The lenses are popular among Asian teenagers and young adults. The lenses create an illusion of large, doll-like eyes. Many people consider circle lenses as a fashion accessory rather than medical devices. Some companies take advantage of the popularity of these circle lenses and produce them with cheaper material and quality which will affect your health.

When circle lenses first came out, the diameter was 14.0 mm, 2 mm larger than the average pupil. They also have basic colours of blue, violet, brown, green and black. But nowadays, the new lenses are up to 15 mm and have new and unnatural colours such as golden blue and pink.

If the sizes and colours continue to grow and range, beauty may turn into the beast.Teenagers and young adults in today's society care more about their appearances. Some are willingly harming their physical health to an extent to make themselves look better. Sure, it looks cuter and prettier now, but the aftereffect of too much makeup with ruin your looks in the future.

Child Beauty Pageants

http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/1000/1/

Child beauty pageant is a beauty contest which involves participants of age 18 or younger.

There has been a huge debate on child pageants where people want it to be banned. People think that little girls use artificial means to boost their self esteem which is not a good way to think as a child. It is wrong to teach children that looks are the most important. Other people think that it is a form of child abuse since sometimes the child is not willing to participate.


I find it scary how children's parents can dress up their child to make them look more than ten years of what they are suppose to look like. I understand that some parents think it is cute and fun, but I think it won't have a positive effect to their teenage life.


some examples: (age 7-10)

Be@rbrick

http://www.bearbrick.com/index.html

Be@rbrick is a Japanese brand of collectible figures designed and produced by MediCom Toy Incorporated. The name is derived from the fact that the figure is a cartoon-style representation of a bear, and that it is a variation of MediCom's Kubrick design. The @ in the place of the letter 'a' is a trademark of MediCom Toy is a part of the Be@rbrick brand. The first figure was released 27 May 2001 as a free gift to visitors of the World Character Convention 12 in Tokyo. Since then Bearbricks have been released in several different sizes using a variety of materials, including wood, felt, and glow-in-the-dark plastic.


Here are some of the newest models of 2011:

Mother's Day Edition

Valentine's Day Edition

2011 Birthday Be@rbricks

Be@rbrick is most popular in Asia, such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
Bearbricks differ from their predecessor Kubricks, in that each series includes 18 figures in 10 different themes:

• Basic, a solid-color figure with a letter in a second color on its chest; when all nine figures are placed in a row, they spell the word Bearbrick.

• Jellybean, a solid-color figure molded in translucent plastic.

• Pattern, a figure with a patterned deco that may range from polka dots to patterns designed by artist and designer Charles Eames.

• Flag, a figure painted as a nation's flag.

• Horror, a figure with a theme based upon a well-known horror film, or other source in the horror genre.

• SF (science fiction), a figure with a theme based upon a science fiction source, often a film.

• Cute, a figure which visually represents the concept of cuteness.

• Animal, a figure which depicts an actual animal.

• Artist: two figures, each designed by a visual artist.

Like most people who collect figures, even though some collectibles like Be@rbrick are expensive, people still buy these figures because

Bent Objects by Terry Border

Terry Border is an arteest which is an artist who doesn't take anybody or anything seriously, not even themselves and uses humor in their art.


"Basically, I get ideas for photographs when everyday objects remind me of something else. Then I try to think about how I can show others the connection I made. The next step - I try really hard to take it one step further - add humor, emotion of some kind, maybe an 'aha' moment. For example, with Mail Order Bride, I came up with the characters, but the little chair against the door really makes that shot for most people.

"Then again, sometimes an idea just pops into my head. That makes me happy."


Border uses everyday objects and makes them come alive, he finds their secret lives and displays them for the world to see. He uses wires to create the limbs of objects for them to be more human-like and then puts them in a hilarious situation.

I think the objects Border uses and the situation he places them in is very thoughtful. The object and the situation it is in is also related to society and represents different type of people. For example,

Link to Terry Border's blog: http://bentobjects.blogspot.com/

Kei - Vesperbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvXJrbx9gtk

This song Vesper bell (which means evening bell), is sung by a Japanese artist Kei. Kei is the ex-guitarist of the two visual kei Japanese rock bands called Kannivalism and Baroque. 

This music video is very entertaining and gives a nostalgic feeling. In the music video, there are references to Alice in Wonderland where there is a rabbit that jumps into a mirror, and playing cards playing trumpets. The illustrations and pop up effects are also suited for children as if it was from a storybook. Even the scenery and backgrounds look very fairy tale like.

I like this music video because it is very different from visual kei and any type of rock. This video gives off a happy and safe feel, the same you felt as a child, the opposite of rock, which is rebellious and dangerous. 

Visual Kei

Visual Kei is a fashion trend amongst many Japanese musicians (usually rockers). This style is distinguished by the make-up, exaggerated hairstyles and flamboyant costumes. Some people say that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or a sub-genre of Japanese rock (J-rock) related to glam-rock, punk rock, Gothic rock and metal. But the participation in the sub-culture of Visual Kei fashion is just as important as the music.

This Visual Kei style started in the late 1980's with bands such as X Japan and Color. The term Visual Kei was created with one of X Japan's slogans "Psychedelic violence crime of visual shock".

Visual Kei has enjoyed popularity among artists achieving mainstream success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as glam, goth and cyberpunk. The popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan has seen an increase in recent years.


Some examples of Visual Kei bands are:

Malice Mizer

Ayabie

 AnCafe

There are many influences from different time periods in visual kei. My favourite amongst the visual kei j-rock bands is Versailles, who are easily recognized by their Victorian/rococo-esque costumes and theme. The band members look flawless and beautiful as a result to their makeup and goes well with their beautiful clothing. They have a 'princely' and 'princessy' feel to them (the guitarist Hizaki and deceased guitarist Jasmine You cross dressed as girls). Not only do I think that there image as a band is attractive, but their music also is very attractive. I also find it funny when in the music videos with a Victorian house and setting, you see an rich, elegant and beautiful looking girl and boy sitting in chairs playing electric guitars/bass.

Lolita Fashion

Lolita is a Japanese street fashion inspired by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods.This fashion movement started in Japan (Harajuku specifically) in the 1980's and has evolved greatly since.


The term "Lolita" may be unfavorable to those who first hear about the fashion especially in Western countries because of the meaning it holds from Vladimir Nabokov's novel, "Lolita", which changed the meaning of the name for most people. It is generally assumed that the name of the fashion comes from a distortion of the meaning while word-borrowing from the English language. In the case of the Japanese fashion, the term "Lolita" refers to the childish nature of majority of the clothes. Lolita Fashion is about look cute or elegant, but it depends on the different styles of lolita fashion. 


A lolita outfit consists of a head wear, blouse, bell-shaped skirt, undergarment, leggings, and footwear. Although there are a variety of different lolita styles, each of these pieces of clothing are essential to creating the lolita outfit. 
There are also many different types of lolitas such as: Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Casual Lolita, Classic Lolita, Punk Lolita and many more. 


In addition to being a fashion, some people enjoy living a "Lolita Lifestyle" in which one sees Lolita as more of a philosophy of living beautifully rather than just dressing it. People who is living a Lolita Lifestyle may try and live like a princess, surrounding themselves with things of beauty, and taking part in a number of feminine activities such as baking, embroidery, sewing, etc. 

I personally like the punk lolita style the best because it is the combination of two of my favourite styles. It is the combination of Japanese lolita and Eastern punk style and that may be a bit more difficult to pull off than the other lolita styles. Accessories and fabric choice are very important to this style, for example partially ripped fabrics, plaid or checkered pattern fabrics, and fishnets are a good choice, as are chains and studs. Also layering is key to this style! Makeup also contributes to the overall punk lolita look, putting on heavier makeup will definitely give you the aesthetics for Punk style more than with the Sweet or Classic styles.

Making Your Phone Extra Cute!

Decoden is a popular trend in Japan where it all started with high school girls decorating their cell phones. Deco den stands for 'decoration denwa', 'denwa' meaning 'phone' in Japanese. People use rhinestones, lace/fabric, pearls, whipped cream and other cute deco pieces to decorate their phones, mirrors, pencil cases and other items to make their ordinary item look super cute.

Not only phones, but deco den is used for nails to create nail art too.

Decoden is really popular with Japanese girls because majority of them love cute things and want to be cute. I also think that decoden is very cute when it is decorated in a way I like, since there is no set design for decoden; it is all customized to the consumer's liking. I find this very unique and your phone can definitely be recognized right away amongst the others!  

Stop the Violence

Francois Robert was at an auction in rural Michigan. It was the mid 1990s. A school was selling off supplies, and Robert was looking to buy some furniture for his studio. "I was interested in buying some lockers, and they had three for $50." Two of the lockers were empty, but not the third. When Robert opened it up, he found a human skeleton.


This increadible bone art by Francois Robert portrays the different iconic representation of weapons and religion.  Robert’s collection of bone art, titled “Stop the Violence”, uses human bones to recreate guns, grenades, knives and tanks as well as the symbols of the major Western religions.


The human bones is a strong visual representation of what remains after death. Robert uses the human skeletons to form various weapons to tell us a message through his art. That message is to stop the violence, and demonstrates what is left over when conflicts escalate. 


Robert disassembles the human skeleton and recreates it into the form of something dangerous. He uses ribs, hands, shoulder blades and vertebrae are aligned to create visuals that are unmistakably familiar. Francois Robert’s art is beautiful yet horrifying.

Source:  http://www.ignant.de/2010/07/06/stop-the-violence-von-francois-roberts/

1+1=3

Similar to Felice Varini and his geometric shape illusions, the final-year students in Product Design at Beckmans College of Design have created an alternative meeting place in Greenhouse at the Stockholm Furniture Fair.The students have created an optical illusion from one perspective, but from the others it just seems like a pile of junk. The space inspires informal gatherings of people, where the students have encouraged the visitors to interact with the furniture and the space.


I find optical illusions that play around with one's eyes or mind very intriguing. The message I get from perspective optical illusions is that everyone views everything in different ways but there is only one perspective where something is displayed the most clear. My analysis behind the way the students arranged the objects to form '1+1=3' is that there is a possibility for everything. Obviously, 1+1=2, but how do we mathematically prove that? It makes us think about the different possibilities or think of what the trick is to achieve the answer.

Source:  http://www.yatzer.com/1669_one_plus_one_equals_three