Hasta La Ideas

A macabre demonstration in the electromagnetic manipulation of oil-based ferrofluids

Raised in a family of doctors and formally educated as a painter, Alessandro Brighetti finds himself and his work helplessly drawn towards the fields of arts and science. Initially channeling this keen interest through works reminiscent of petri dish experiments and cellular dissections, Brighetti’s work has since evolved to include a range of chemically enhanced sculptures.

On a recent visit to Switzerland’s Scope Basel 2012 we had the pleasure of seeing two of his latest projects, “Schizophrenia” and the debut of its brain-shaped equivalent, at La Galleria OltreDimore. Using electromagnetic stimulation Brighetti commands an oil bath to move freely, spiking and laying to rest again—a mind-boggling phenomenon that instills in its viewer an unsettling feeling of curiosity and intrigue.

Brighetti creates the entirety of his projects without digital assistance, preferring physical material manipulation over a “false perfection” achieved by the likes of Photoshop. For his two new dynamic sculptures, Brighetti worked closely with a chemist to create the perfect solution of liquid alchemy. This ferrofluid, as it’s called, is a stable mixture of magnetic iron nanoparticles surrounded by an ionic surfactant dissolved in oil. The result is a magnetically charged oil that responds to powerful electromagnets while still retaining its liquid properties.

The ferrofluid is stimulated through the static skull or brain form, invisible to the viewer, to achieve an alien sense of self-propulsion. While the complex chemistry behind Brighetti’s work isn’t entirely new, we do appreciate the effort to bring applied sciences to a new audience by way of art. For more information on Brighetti visit the OltreDimore Gallery artist’s page.

Images by Josh Rubin

Harnessing the power of sweat as a renewable resource for Spring 2013

Sweat shouldn’t be a problem, according to Columbia Sportswear. While the activewear market currently offers a limited array of moisture-wicking fabrics, what hasn’t been tapped into is the idea of perspiration as a renewable resource. In that vein, Columbia aims to transcend what they see as dated polyester blends for an entirely new technology that takes advantage of sweat to aid in temperature control. Launched this week, the technology behind Omni-Freeze Zero is a project four years in the making. The material boasts a special polymer that doesn’t get rid of sweat, but absorbs it into visible—and graphically pleasant—little blue rings for an actual cooling effect.

When exposed to moisture the polymer rings swell like goose bumps for an instant and enduring cool-down. Available for spring 2013, Omni-Freeze Zero will be incorporated into tops, jackets and other activewear layers as well as neck and arm sleeves. The idea, says Woody Blackford, the head of Columbia’s “Performance Innovation Team”, is to change how people move in the heat. “In general, people remove clothing layers to stay cool,” he points out, “but sponsored athletes using Omni-Freeze Zero have noted that in hot, humid conditions, this is the first technology that feels cooler and more comfortable than wearing nothing at all.”

I recently put a range of Omni-Freeze Zero gear to the test in Sedona, Arizona. On a fully sun-exposed hike and hour-long yoga session on a red rock plateau in 101-degree weather, though the atmosphere skews dry to begin with, I was well aware of my sweat-free state. Not only did I stay dry, but the fabric felt silky and comfortable against my skin. Fearing the hi-tech “cooling” sensation would feel strange against my skin or that I’d be soaked in a cold sweat proved unfounded—I simply felt naturally comfortable and still nicely warm from my workout.

Also part of the current offerings, and available in updated styles for Spring 2013, are Columbia’s unrivaled high-back ladies’ bottoms—shorts with a substantial rise in the back that offer ample coverage and seem slimming at the same time—and the Drainmaker and Powerdrain will be updated to version two with 30% more drain ports and greater traction for trekking through wet conditions. Our fellow campers who hiked through a creek reported back amazing drainage capabilities (AKA dry feet).

Columbia’s Omni-Freeze Zero technology will be available in Spring 2013 online and in stores wherever the brand is sold.

Create your own miniature world full of beautiful flora and fake fauna with this step-by-step guide

From their Victorian-era genesis to waves of popularity in the ’70s and in recent years, terrariums have taken on a variety of mossy forms. Leading their most recent charge was the uniquely charming, Brooklyn-based Twig Terrariums, whose uncanny ability to build miniature worlds complete with perfectly manicured landscapes and quirky characters breathed new life into the household standby. Twig creators Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow have recently released Tiny World Terrariums, sharing step-by-step instructions on creating your own verdant paradise.

With revealing photography of little dioramic worlds depicting every situation imaginable—from graffiti writers in Manhattan to backpacking adventures in the desert—the DIY manual teaches the average crafter how to transform their own glass jar from a simple dish to an enchanting landscape. The book is filled with dictionary-like descriptions and even suggestions of proper tools for harvesting moss from the wild, making this little book an ideal guide for the novice “terrarer”.

Tiny World Terrariums is now available from Amazon for about $25. The book may also be purchased directly from Twig Terrariums, which also has more information, terrarium inspiration and a list of suggested NYC-based retailers for terrarium essentials.

Look under the hood of this London Taxi and find a mobile recording studio

For outdoor live shows, off-set film shoots and small club gigs, on-site recording isn’t as easy as it sounds. Bringing a solution to locations where facilities aren’t available, Remote Recording puts a fully functioning studio inside a coincidentally practical London Taxi. Designed especially for this, Remote Recording’s U.S.-compatible LT introduces a small-scale option to their fleet of mobile recording trucks to service venues from the Metropolitan Opera to the Academy Awards.

As one of a very small batch of British-made London Taxis made to American standards—emissions levels and left-side driving, of course—the 2004 model was a lucky Ebay find which the company retrofitted as a studio. The iconic auto may seem like a novelty choice, but it’s actually built perfectly for the alternative purpose of mobile recording. Discreet detailing and a traditional paint job keep the taxi under the radar, but the interior is anything but ordinary. The roomy cab holds everything from ProTools HD to fiber optic mic interfaces and the ability to record on up to 48 channels—plus a pair of jump seats and space for up to two engineers to operate the equipment, making the unconventional environment professionally functional.

The interior operation is housed within the distinctly plump body of a traditional London Taxi, which has become an incidental and invaluable marketing tool, drawing attention from curious onlookers and potential clients on the road. “Everywhere I go people want to know about it,” says Remote Recording owner Karen Brinton. “Even in traffic people will motion to roll down the window so they can ask me about it.”

Remote Recordings’ London Taxi will be ready for rental in the weeks to come. Rates start at $2,500 per day, including crew (additional travel fees may apply). For more information on the London Taxi recording facility check out Remote Recording online.

Day one of this year’s conference on idea execution

Today marks the first day of this year’s 99% Conference, our annual ideas-focused event we co-founded with Behance four years ago. For the 2012 conference we’re looking forward to hearing from inspirational speakers like design legend James Victore, co-founder of Warby Parker Neil Blumenthal and StumbleUpon founder Garrett Camp, to name a few, as well as events, workshops and an exciting round of Cool Hunting Video premieres.

While we’ll be on site for the next two days, those out there unable to make it can follow the inspiration as it unfolds via the CH twitter feed, the 99% Conference feed or by searching #99conf on Twitter and Instagram.