If you’ve never experienced the espionage juggernaut Metal Gear Solid, the above clip may not make much sense. What started off as a Rambo rip-off for the NES in the 1980’s has become a full fledged franchise for Sony’s Playstation system. You are Solid Snake, a reluctant semi-retired spy for the military who happens to be a bad-ass at dispatching, mostly Russian, enemies. The game is about stealth and avoiding detection from bad guys, but what makes the game so enjoyable is the level of accuracy created by the game’s designers. Weaponry and level settings are constructed with such detail, you can often find yourself just wandering about pushing and opening things to discover easter eggs left scattered throughout the game. One fan with a Rube Goldbergian spirit has taken things a step further, using Snake’s digital camera he has orchestrated a very elaborate set of in-game photographs. Watch the full clip as this virtual photographer choreographs some out-there moments.
This video tells me a few things, mainly as proof that resourceful minds can create anywhere but it also raises the question of what tools will future artists be using to create? It’s hard enough being a photographer in the real world. Via Kotaku
Saturday, December 29th at rRed Elephant APB will premiere “The Struggle”. The doors open at 5:30p and the action kicks off at 6p. Even better, it’s free. More info and video outtakes at APB.
Daredevil skater William Spencer has been courted by MTV to develop a show based off of his Youtube uploads. We can understand why, and kudos for breaking in the front door, but what the hell are skaters gonna have to do to top him? (Think you’ve seen it all before, wait till the end.)
The introduction of electronic instruments into the music making process of the early 70’s sparked a heavy amount of experimentation. Classically trained musicians expanded their palette while artists and engineers rode sound into unknown areas of the musical landscape. Similar to the first generation of Photoshop users, a tool set arrived without an idea of how powerful and influential it would be. Artists such as Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Wendy Carlos and Vangelis were just a few of the countless musicians who were excited at the electronic synthesizer’s possibilities. A Student of Don Buchla, Suzanne Cianni was one of these artists, eager to experiment with the new technology.This clip is from the children’s television show 3-2-1 Contact which played along side Sesame Street and other shows on PBS. Watch as Suzanne (looking like and sounding like a hybrid of Joni Mitchell and PJ Harvey) and the host have a conversation about the finer points of electronic synthesis. Is it me or is there something about this interview which is gets kinda sexy? I play guitar Suzanne!
Given the Superferry debacle, which in many ways was fueled by blind skepticism and misinformation, it’s important to educate yourself about the issues before chiming in. Get up on your La’au knowledge by clicking the video above. Information mo’ bettah.
This is a personal geek-out moment, Charles and Ray introduce the Eames Lounge chair on TV. It’s great to see them being interviewed and not making awesome stuff, for a few minutes. Via Core77
Danny Choo, in regular working attire, gets down in the streets of Tokyo. My dreams look exactly like this but sound different, something more Ohio Players sounding (Funky worm, maybe). And I’m strutting around more. Anyway, thanks Danny! Via JeanSnow
A short documentary dropped on The New York Times website which focuses on the lifestyle of Los Angeles teens. Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield has created a eye opening study of kid’s value systems and where priorities have shifted. By no means is this comprehensive of all children, but just the sampling of kids on either side of the spectrum. Completely predictable, yet still mindblowing to see. How do we all fit in a hand basket anyway?
