what's the meaning of life?

Find out more answers on Rachel Mawdsley's Behance gallery, where she asked about the meaning of life and photographed funeral directors and midwives.

the journey

The anticipation of two wonderful weeks in the U.S. catapults my work motivation on levels so high, I never thought they existed!

It will be my first time in the U.S.: a real adventure. More than anything, it's an opportunity to meet new people and allow myself to be permeated by their ideas and enthusiasm. There is no greater energy for me than that of other people. It will also be a time where I'll work on the project closest to my interest.

And it's the promise of a turning point in my way of thinking, an opportunity to perceive life differently. What will happen after I return? Will I have recovered my confidence in myself and the passion to keep me motivated? Will I come back less resentful, more understanding and at peace?

It almost feels like planning one of those spiritual journeys, where one undergoes purification and returns completely changed. Haha, it's actually nothing like that, and it involves intensive work and developing group dynamics. But most importantly, it's two weeks devoid of any of the harmful factors that usually consume and influence me on a regular basis. It's a blank new piece of paper for my own self to express itself on neutral grounds.

I wonder what I'll feel like when I am going to read this post after I return. May my hopes and expectations be fulfilled.

photos by Aegea

bodkin

via the wonderful blog I'm revolting I came across a post on an amazingly beautiful design label. I immediately fell in love with Bodkin's 2010 fall/winter collection. The colors, the clean architectural lines, the photgraphs by Tina Tyrell...

moderat - rusty nails

Moderat are an indie electronic band based in Berlin. I discovered their music via the newest "Pictoplasma - Characters in Motion" trailer. But what actually really left me in awe was this brilliant mesmerizing video by the Pfadfinderei studio for their track "Rusty Nails". The motion and shapes are so dreamlike, I feel like watching it over and over again.

I loved the part, where the human body is wrapped like a cocoon. The following parts: the wind-blown silk and the uncovering of the bodies are great. But my favourite section of the video comes at the end, where the dynamic layers of the fabric are staged by fantastic body postures and jumps. Enjoy:

Moderat "Rusty Nails" from Pfadfinderei on Vimeo.

goni montes

I've just found this illustration by Goni Montes featuring a bloom of beautiful sea jellies.

found via KoiKoiKoi

lights down low

Here's a superb video postcard advertising for the beauty of China, and Shanghai in particluar. It was made by Patrick Biesemans with music by "Spirits in the Basement".

"There's too many senses activated when I think about China, it's definitely left a lasting mark on me. And I hope that I captured the feeling I got on my very quick visit to this wonderful country. The trip was fast, exciting, and much too short."

Lights Down Low: In Shanghai from Lights Down Low on Vimeo.

via @weelingsoh via The Shanghaiist

lizard planet

It's saturday morning, it's cartoon morning!

Via Amy and Pink I have discovered Tomoyoshi Joko's works. Make sure you check out the youtube channel for more animation shorts, since I will share below only "Lizard Planet", a wonderful fable about the universe. The author explains:

"A lizard wrapped in water represents Earth, which is composed of both land and sea. For human beings, living on this earth feels quite natural. However, the earth is both an enormous living organism and a planet in the infinite universe. It would be gratifying if, after seeing this work, the viewer could feel that we live life on a planet that itself is a living existence in space."

check out the jellyfish at 1:04! :)