Orchestral Manoeuvres in Space

Orchestral Manoeuvres in Space
Project Gemini by NASA

1962-1966

This month marks the 50th anniversary of NASA's Project Gemini. Gemini was carried out from 1962 to 1966, during the build up of the Space Race between USA and Russia. The Gemini spacecraft was designed by a team of NASA engineers led by Jim Chamberlin, and built by McDonnell Aircraft, in St Louis. There were two uncrewed test flights (1964, 1965) and 10 crewed (March 23, 1965 until November 11–15, 1966) all launched on a Titan II missile. The Gemini flights helped NASA learn to work and live in space, paving the way for the successful Apollo human landings on the Moon. The Gemini astronauts, including Ed White (who would die in the Apollo 1 fire in 1967) also took some of the most memorable photos in NASA history. With NASA's help and funding, a team of researchers at Arizona State University led by lunar scientist Mark Robinson has retrieved from the archives (and scanned at high resolution) dozens of outtakes that never made it into wide circulation. We present a selection of our favorite ones above.

View the complete archive at ASU.

Japanese Minimalism

The Fine Art of Perfection

Ultra Minimalist Japanese Architecture by Fuse-Atelier.

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Radical Simplification

Constantin Brancusi 

'Prométhée'

Executed in 1911

Constantin Brancusi's Prométhée exemplifies the unique sculptural language Constantin Brancusi developed in the early years of the 20th century. Constantin Brancusi's Prométhée displays an unprecedented stylization of form in which the artist re-established his own artistic idiom. After arriving in Paris from Bucharest in 1904, Constantin Brancusi proceeded to revolutionize the boundaries of sculptural form. He created a sophisticated minimalism that combined influences ranging from primitive models to Romanian folk traditions and the sleek machine aesthetic of the industrial age. Brancusi took form to the brink of abstraction while relying upon the romantic power of representation. Constantin Brancusi's Prométhée is a brilliant study in radical simplification. Prométhée is devoid of all pathos, the ovoid shape that amounts to an almost perfect sphere, barely indicated by the pinching of the nose and the suggestion of an ear. This work will be up for sale at Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on May 2nd 2012.  Estimate is $6-$8 million.  

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Realm of the Senses

Dutchess County Guesthouse by Allied Works Architecture 

This beautiful architectural masterpiece exhibits a wonderful sense of structural clarity.
This guesthouse was designed by Allied works for the family of an art collector in Dutchess County, New York. This commission included a residence, guesthouse and private gallery. Located on the eastern slopes of the Hudson River Valley, the site consists of rolling hills, open meadows and a dense hardwood forest. Each of the three buildings responds to a particular landscape. The images above are from the guest house. The main residence (preview below) is still under construction. The main house is situated at the head of a large meadow, providing sweeping views of the valley and mountains beyond (this is a 350 acre property by the way). The residence takes the form of an orthogonal helix sited at the intersection of three landscaped courts. These are bounded by a series of stone walls that extend into the landscape. Above, the helix is enclosed by a skin of glass panels - transparent, translucent and opaque - that mediates light and views and dissolves into the surrounding landscape.

Photography by Jeremy Bitterman

Art of the Craft

Kashiwado Chair by Isamu Kenmochi

According to its Japanese manufacturer, it takes a small army of 

highly trained Japanese craftsmen several weeks to create this 

amazing monolithic chair.  The Kashiwado Chair by Isamu Kenmochi is 

made from cut out blocks of Japanese Cedar which are carved and layered 

on top of each other in the shape of the chair. The wood is then polished and 

coated to give it its final look. All this handicraft doesn't come cheap but if you 

are looking for a exceptional accent chair from the land of the rising sun,
the Kashiwado Chair is hard to beat.  

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Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, first built in 1967, was based on the Autodelta Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 racing car. The car was designed by Franco Scaglione and built by Carrozzeria Marazzi. It made its debut at the 1967 Turin Motorshow. The 33 Stradale is believed to be the first production vehicle to feature dihedral doors, also known as butterfly doors. The 33 Stradale also featured windows which seamlessly curved upward into the 'roof' of the vehicle. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is very rare; Alfa Romeo made only 18 of these cars. 

Image Credits: Sunday Drive NYC

Rain on my Window

 

After Midnight

Widescreen House

Widescreen House by R-ZERO Studio

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Ode to Ibiza

Ode to Ibiza

Ibiza, the sun drenched island in the Mediterranean Sea, is notorious for its 

wild party scene which attracts a large numbers of clubbers from the mainland.
Tired of this stereotype, Spanish photographer Jose A. Hervas has been working hard to promote
the island's natural beauty.  His amazing 'Ibiza Lights' series highlight the island's breathtaking scenery.

Turn up your volume and enjoy.

The Art of the Color Composition

Nicely done Luciano!

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