As you may know, a solar eclipse was visible from Earth today. For those who got to see it, It was an amazing phenomenon of nature that rarely happens, but what’s actually behind a solar eclipse? For the scientist in the room, the answer is the Sun. Ah, thank you. But for everyone else, Vox has put together a great video describing the science behind a solar eclipse.
A rare archival performance from the patron saint of The Ironicle, George Carlin. George was more than a comedian too many, and like Mark Twain before him, to some, he was just a clown. We know better though here at The Ironicle. We can’t say “shit”, “piss”, “fuck”, “cunt” “cocksucker”, “mother-fucker” or “tits” without feeling his holy spirit smiling down on us. Of course, he’s not actually smiling down on us cuz he’s dead. So it goes. Dead people don’t smile, babies are pure, and you still can’t say “fuck” on tv. So, now that’s thats out of my system please enjoy this amazing performance from April 13th, 1979 (which also happened to be Friday the 13th).
Ryan Deboodt recently posted an awe inspiring video of the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong. Hang Son Doong is located in Vietnam, and translates to “Mountain River cave”. Deboobt used multiple cameras including a GoPro and a DJI Phantom drone, to capture the serious awesomeness of this cave. Enjoy the stunning views, we certainly did. Happy Tuesday from The Ironicle.
Hang Son Doong from Ryan Deboodt on Vimeo.
Some cool profiles of Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, and her life long obsessions with dots. The first video is from the TATE. It documents the creation of a interactive art installation put on by Kusama where visitors helped decorate an all white room with a variety of dotted stickers.
Next, Nowness presents a piece entitled, “Self Obliteration”.
Finally, a more biographical account of Yayoi Kusama from the Louisiana Channel.
So, I’m a little late. It was Holi about 2 weeks ago but I can’t help myself. I like the color and the crowds.
Holi. Festival of Colors. 2012 from The Good Line on Vimeo.
In celebration of Fat Tuesday and all Mardi Gras festivities, I share with you a video about the Mardi Gras Indian tribe, The Red Flame Hunters and their leader, Big Chief Justin “Tugga” Cloud.
Big Chief: A Mardi Gras Indian Documentary from FatHappy Media on Vimeo.
This video was created by FatHappy Media and shares the story of how Big Chief Tugga and his tribe create the elaborate ceremonial suits of the Big Chief and the cultural importance of the tribes. The Mardi Gras Indians are a central aspect of New Orleans culture. With origins dating back to the 1800’s, the Mardi Gras Indians were originally escaped slaves who joined the local Indian tribes. Since then, they continue to celebrate their long history in many ways, including unauthorized parades through the streets of New Orleans, ran by the tribes’ Big Chiefs.
Munich based design studio, Kurzgesagt, designs some of my favorite infographic videos. German for “in a nutshell,” Kurzgesagt was founded in 2013 by Philipp Dettmer & Stephan Rether. Through the combination of eye popping colors, minimalist animation and a plethora of consumable facts, they create videos that are entertaining and informative.
“The History and Future of Everything”
“What is Life? Is Death Real”
Do yourself a favor and just visit their website or youtube page. It will be time well spent, even if its well over an hour.
Fracking Explained: Opportunity or Danger
Artist Michael Paul Smith, works with miniatures to recreate scenes of Americana that depict stories and memories from his childhood. As Smith describes it, “Elgin Park is not my fantasy. I am documenting the 20th century, in a way.” Through the use of model cars, replicas of gas stations, farm houses, and even wrecked UFO’s, Smith takes the viewer on an adventure into a world often forgotten. Animal has posted a wonderful profile on Smith’s story and photography.
Elgin Park from Animal on Vimeo.
This week, filmmaker, Sean Dunne released his most recent documentary, ‘Florida Man’. Found on his vimeo page, the film presents an assortment of candid interviews with local males of the Sunshine State. Dunne captured the accounts by driving through Florida and filming in parking lots of bars and convenience stores. As he puts,
“Most of what you’re seeing in the final film is the entirety of our interaction with these guys. It was quick and to the point and I didn’t even interview people besides the occasional “Any words of wisdom?” So what we got was a whole bunch of people telling stories and talking about whatever was on their mind. It was a strange and exciting journey that took us to a lot of places we didn’t expect.”
Already being a fan of /r/FloridaMan, I found this darkly-humorous film to be more proof that Florida may just be the worst sate in the union. Enjoy.
FLORIDA MAN from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.
An entertaining piece of pixel art that features America’s favorite family, The Simpsons. The video recreates the classic show’s title sequence as a world made up of entirely of large pixels. The City of Springfield, the characters, even the music is digitized to invoke the retro ‘video game style’ of early digital animation. Directed and Animated by Paul Robertson and Ivan Dixon. With music by Jeremy Dower.
Also for anyone who never saw it. Here is the same intro from the Simpsons, reinterpreted by famed, mysterious street artivist, Banksy.
The Ironicle 