Saturday, December 30, 2006

Slow Motion Photography


This video is mostly about breaking things in slow motion. The level of detail is mesmerizing.


Slow Motion Compilation


See also Super Slow Motion Video Clips

Monday, December 25, 2006

The Mandelbrot Set


There is great beauty in mathematics. The Mandelbrot set is just one example.


The Mandelbrot Set


Fractal Links
Infinite Zoom
Fractal Art of Paul DeCelle
Hidden Dimension Galleries

Friday, December 22, 2006

37 Cellos


A Cello Rondo-Ethan Winer

Tired of Mousing Around?


Perhaps, this is a glimpse into our future.


Multi-Touch Interaction Experiments

Monday, December 11, 2006

Glass Music


You can make art out of glass, or you can make art with glass. For the former, see The Art of Glass Blowing. For the latter, see the videos below.


William Zeitler-Glass Armonica


The glass armonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin. This video is an excerpt from a History Channel documentary about Benjamin Franklin.


Glass Armonica-From the History Channel


Of course, you don't have to use a glass armonica. The following video features a true virtuoso on a simple collection of wine glasses.


Glass Music


There's more than one way to get sound from a glass vessel. You can caress it gently, or simply hit it with a stick. Here's an example of some music achieved with the less gentle approach.


Glass as Percussion, Vivaldi


See also: The Art Of Glass Blowing


Glass Music Links
The Glass Armonica
William Zeitler, The Music and Magic of the Glass Armonica
Glass Armonica at the National Music Museum

Monday, December 04, 2006

A Controversial Video


I enjoy early music and have an early music blog, (Lutes, Viols and Other Ancient Instruments) so I have subscribed to a lute email list. Most of the emails discuss technical aspects of lutes and lute playing, but a few days ago, I received an email with a link to the following video. I thought it was interesting, but didn't think much about it. I made the mistake of not watching the whole thing.


Well, this is the sort of thing that can excite passionate opinions in the early music community. It features music from "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme", a comedie-ballet first presented in 1670 at the court of King Louis XIV. The text is by Moliere and the music is by Jean-Baptiste Lully.


If you watch the video, you will notice that it doesn't accurately reproduce the atmosphere of the the court of King Louis XIV. The treatment is quite modern, hence the controversy. Now, there is a poll being taken of the members of the lute list. Some hate it, others love it. I have grown to like it, and have given it a respectable four on a scale of one to five. If the performance was authentic, I would have likely given it higher marks, but I have to admit that it has its own unique charm.


Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, (The Bourgeois Gentleman) Jean Marie Bigard


What do you think? Do you like the fusion of historical and modern culture, or does it seem inappropriate? I invite you to rank it on a scale of one to five and to leave your thoughts in the comments section.


Related Links
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Comedie-ballet

Sunday, December 03, 2006

The Art of Glass Blowing


Some artists use paint and canvas, others use clay or stone. My preferred medium is sound. What compels some to choose molten liquid? I don't know. It all sounds very hot and dangerous to me.


You have to admire people who take sand, heat it until it resembles magma and then form it into a delicate work of art. As you will see, glass blowing takes a lot of training and skill. Most of us will never get a chance to try this ourselves. I don't mind. I'm happy to just watch the videos.


Alex Petrakis-Glass Blowing


Glass Cat


Dawson Kellog-Rhapsody in Glass-Part 1


Dawson Kellog-Rhapsody in Glass-Part 2


Dawson Kellog-Rhapsody in Glass-Part 3


Dawson Kellog-Rhapsody in Glass-Part 4


Glass Blowing Links
Glass blowing, instructional videos at Expert Village
Glassblower.info
Glass Artists.org


Coming Soon! Glass Music Videos