Apr

Liu Bolin’s Out of Sight Optical Illusions

by Janine Boylan on April 29, 2013

Optical Illusion from Liu Bolin, showing the artist's creative process of hiding himself

Hiding in the City No. 71 – Bulldozer, 2008 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

A Layer of Paint Hides This Invisible Man

A photo of a bulldozer seems pretty unremarkable.

What about a wall full of toys?

Hiding in New York No. 7 – Made in China, 2012 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

Look again.

Did you say, “Oh, I see!”?

Over the past several years, artist Liu Bolin has been creating a photo series, “Hiding in the City,” in which he becomes an invisible man of sorts.

Liu Bolin’s Creative Process

To prepare for these optical illusion photos, Liu finds the perfect, everyday background and photographs himself there. He works with a team of assistants to select the exact paint colors and note all the lines, curves, and shadows of the setting.

Then he and his team go to the site again, and he stands for three to four hours while his assistants painstakingly paint him to match each detail of the background. They work together through the process, taking photos, talking, matching the background, talking more.

When he seamlessly blends with the environment, he stands perfectly still, and they capture the image—his shape barely visible. (There is no computer retouching to these images!)

Hiding in the City – Beijing Magazine Rack, 2011 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

Liu did a number of photos in front of magazine racks around the world, like the one above. Watch this video to see Liu and team create the optical illusion for an image in front of a similar magazine rack.

http://vimeo.com/59981487

If the video does not display, watch it here.

His Invisible Protest

Liu Bolin got his inspiration in 2005. At that time Liu and over a hundred other artists had studios and homes in Suo Jia Cun, an established community. Then, suddenly, the Chinese government declared the community illegal. Within 12 hours of the government’s decision, bulldozers had destroyed the first buildings.

Liu’s Oh I See Moment: he was an invisible man to the government. So, in response, he started the photography series in which he blends into his surroundings until he is almost out of sight.

Liu explains, “I decided to melt into the environment. Some will say that I disappear into the background; I would say that it’s the environment that has taken a hold of me.”

Hiding in the City – Panda, 2011 Photograph
Courtesy Eli Klein Fine Art, © Liu Bolin

How the Invisible Man Has Made His Mark

In time, Liu expanded his series. He took optical illusion photos in Italy and New York. He included others in his images, ranging from a family in front of the Chinese flag to fashion designers in the middle of their work. He even recently did an ad for Ford in which he painted cars to blend into their backgrounds and an album cover for Bon Jovi with the band painted into the background.

Ironically, it is Liu’s ability to become invisible that draws our attention. Now that you have seen some of his work, I’m sure you will want to see more from this talented man.

He may be out of sight, but he is not out of mind!

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Janine Boylan Comments

China/The World's Photography

Apr

Random Acts of Kindness Flow with “Suspended” Coffee

by Meredith Mullins on April 25, 2013

man drinking large coffee after receiving a random act of kindness of a suspended coffee

Coffee warms the heart and spirit
© Fuse Collection

Starting the Day Off Right

“I’ll have a decaf espresso, a caffe latte, a double decaf cappuccino, and a caffe sospeso.”

This could be a scene from LA Story, a barista’s nightmare, or a reminder of how coffee drinking has taken us into a labyrinthe of choices.

It could be all those things . . . but in this instance it’s an order at a coffee shop, sprinkled with a random act of kindness.

Caffe Sospeso: “Suspended Coffee”

The hidden gift in this order is caffe sospeso, an Italian tradition born in Naples that is taking hold around the world.

Caffe sospeso is not an extravagant new coffee concoction. It means, in literal translation, “suspended coffee.”

In practice, this custom is a heartwarming “pay it forward” story. When people buy a coffee, they pay for an extra coffee (or two).

This suspended coffee “offer” then waits for someone in need, someone who asks if there are any suspended coffees available because he or she can’t afford to buy one.

man drinking european coffee after receiving a random act of kindness of a caffe sospeso

Good to the last drop
© iStockphoto

Cafés use a coupon system, bottle caps, or tokens to keep track of the available suspended coffees. They post a suspended coffee sign in the window to let those in need know a hot coffee might be available through a stranger’s generosity.

A Cup of Coffee for All Humanity

The suspended coffee idea is a reminder that we can help people who are less fortunate in many ways—modest or mighty. An important Oh, I see moment.

The original Neapolitan proverb said it best—”This is a way to offer a cup of coffee to all humanity.”

Man in furry hood drinks coffee after receiving a random act of kindness of suspended coffee.

Hot coffee makes winter life in the street a little warmer.
© iStockphoto

This coffee “movement” has now taken root from the UK to Bulgaria to Australia to the U.S. Word is spreading that this tradition is a simple way to offer kindness to strangers.

The “Suspended Coffee Supporter Facebook page has more than 76,000 fans and keeps people updated on cafés that are joining the caffe sospeso community (or, if you’re in Taiwan, the “suspended noodles” community).

Pay It Forward

The beauty of this kind of movement is that it inspires other acts of kindness. Grocery stores and restaurants are also following this path. Spontaneous “pay it forward” moments are becoming legendary in many countries.

People pay for the next person in line at a drive-in.
A man performs 65 random acts of kindness on his 65th birthday.
An 8-year-old boy opens a lemonade stand to help a neighbor whose house was damaged in a storm.
A competitor carries her injured opponent over the finish line.

The stories are (thankfully) endless.

In a time when bad news often seems to outweigh the good, random acts of kindness can help to shift the balance and make us feel good again about humanity.

The gift can be as simple as a cup of coffee.

Hot coffee warms the soul . . . for the one drinking and for the one who has given an anonymous gift. A little kindness can go a long way.

hands holding coffee and cigarette after a random act of kindness with a suspended coffee

The French version of suspended coffee: café en attente
© Meredith Mullins

If you like the idea of suspended coffee, talk with your local coffee shop and start the coffee flowing.

And, if you’d like an extra random act of kindness, take a look at this video. It’s not coffee-related, but it will sure make you feel good.

If video does not display, watch it here.

Today is International Pay It Forward Day, so visit the Pay It Forward Foundation site to see what you can do.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 5 Comments

Clever Ideas/Italy/Making a Difference

Apr

Claudio Garzón’s Recycled Art: It’s Full of Trash

by Janine Boylan on April 22, 2013

Claudio Garzón at work, showing his creative idea for recycled art

A Creative Idea for Ocean Plastic

Claudio Garzón cherishes the waterways around his home. He walks along the L.A. River nearly every day and collects things that catch his eye. But he’s not picking up colorful rocks or interesting shells—he’s picking up plastic garbage.

Ocean Plastic Facts

Most of the trash in the ocean and on the beaches is plastic. Unlike paper or wood debris, most plastic never completely biodegrades. Instead it breaks into smaller and smaller and smaller pieces until it isn’t easily seen. But it’s there.

plastic trash collected by Claudio Garzón, which, with a creative idea, will become recycled art

Fish can ingest the plastic debris, and, since they cannot digest it, it stays in their stomachs. Sea creatures can become entangled in plastic and get harmed or even drown. And it is likely that the chemicals in plastic are being transferred to marine life, which in turn can pass to you through the food chain.

baby turtle by Claudio Garzón, showing a creative idea for recycled art

An OIC Moment

This type of information concerns Garzón. Not only does he want to keep the plastic out of the ocean, but he wants to educate others about its harmful effects.

As Garzón was preparing to instruct a summer art class, he remembered reading about a soldier who created art from bottle caps. It was Garzón’s Oh, I See moment—he could incorporate environmental education into his lessons by having students create art from trash.

This course developed into several others, including a multiweek class for children in the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles.

He simultaneously began turning his own creative ideas into PlasTikobots, science fiction robots, created entirely from the plastic he found. Study his sculptures closely, and Oh, you’ll see the plastic Legos, bottle caps, combs, and more.

hammerhead shark by Claudio Garzón, showing a creative idea for recycled art

Many of Garzón’s PlasTikobots are modeled after sea creatures, particularly turtles and sharks, reflecting his passion for the ocean. As part of his education programs, his nonprofit organization, Save Oceans and Seas, helps spread the word about protecting these sea creatures from the trash that his art is made of.

pre-painted art by Claudio Garzón, showing a creative idea for recycled art

The Creative Process

When Garzón is inspired or commissioned to make a creature, he heavily researches the real animal to understand how it is shaped and how it functions. Then, when he has a clear vision, he searches his garage full of found plastic for just the right elements to cut and build. The final step is to meticulously paint the creature. He explains that he spends a lot of time on the turtle eyes to give them perfect wise and soulful looks.

leatherback turtle by Claudio Garzón, showing a creative idea for recycled art

Making a Difference

While Garzón displays his work regularly at art galleries and donates his work to charities like Heal the Bay, his passion is teaching children how they can make a change and keep the ocean clean.

Through his Oh, I see moment, Garzón uses creative ideas to turn trash into recycled art and educational opportunites.

How will you be inspired to make a change this Earth Day, April 22?

baby turtles by Claudio Garzón, showing a creative idea for recycled art

Garzón’s students will be displaying their work on April 26, 2013, at the Gallery Expo 4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA from 4-8pm.

To reuse plastic you may accumulate, download these 10 Practical and Creative Ideas.