Brain Food: 7 Creative Ideas with a Bit of Bite
Thanks to Chief Teeth Suarez, fighting talk has turned into biting talk this week. So Addison Capper has rounded up seven nuggets of creativity for you to sink your teeth in to. Music video maestros OK Go return with more creative genius, Pac-Man gets a Suarez-style makeover, autism and art meet in a series of compelling photographs, and we've discovered the most worthwhile reason to visit the centre of Wales.
1. OK Go 'The Writing's On The Wall'
Music video wizards OK Go are back filmmaking sorcery. The film is an optical illusion-filled bonanza that was all captured in one mammoth take. How, you say? Luckily for us the band has released this making of video (you can see it underneath the actual film) that's at least, if not more, enjoyable than the video itself.
2. Biteman
There's been a lot of reaction to Luis Suarez's gnasher antics. This is my absolute favourite. Run around as the Uruguayan and munch as many tiny Giorgio Chiellinis as you can. Kudos to creator Achtung for being so quick off the mark. Play the game here.
3. Bouncing Beneath Blaenau
Blaenau Ffestiniog is slap bang in the middle of Wales (a.k.a. in the middle of nowhere). But. The small mining town now boasts what could be just about the coolest place on Earth. It was already home to the world's longest zip-wire, but now also has what is believed to be the world's largest underground trampoline (who knew they were a thing?) situated in the abandoned Llechwedd slate quarry. It's twice the size of St. Paul's Cathedral, interconnected by slides - the biggest of which reaches 60ft high - and is illuminated with impressive neon lights. So it's off to Wales this summer! As soon as I overcome that fear of caves I've had since watching The Descent…
4. Picturing Autism
Mother to a 23-year-old with autism, documentary photographer Debbie Rasiel set out two years ago to bridge the gap between the two things she's closest to: autism and art. After taking pictures of children around the world (keep your eyes out for my stunning cousin from Queens, New York), Rasiel told the Huffington Post that "while living conditions, resources and treatment vary by region, autism presents the same". The striking photos were recently exhibited in New York at the SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery and you can check out Rasiel's website for more info.
Queens, New York
Lima, Peru
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca, Mexico
Cuzco, Peru
5. The New York Times' Supportive Blank Page
The New York Times left an entire page blank this week in support of the Al Jazeera journalists who were sentenced to seven years jail time in Egypt for 'aiding a terrorist organisation'. In fact they just doing their jobs. The page reads: "This is what happens when you silence journalism" and "journalism is not a crime".
6. What's on your mind?
I am a self-confessed Facebook bragger. And you probably are too. And the person next to you. And the person next to them. But do we really have anything to brag about? Director Shaun Higton has shed some light on that question in this fairly morbid short that depicts the reality behind Facebook statuses.
7. The Executive Colouring Book
This was written by Marcie Hans, Dennis Altman and Martin A. Cohen, and published in 1961. And very sadly it's now out of print. I'll let you enjoy the wit for yourselves, but before I sign off I want to say one thing: have your grey and mahogany pencils sharpened and at the ready.
NB: You can pick up the book on Amazon, although a used copy costs $44.99 while new it will set you back at least $1300. Interested? Purchase here.
Check out the full selection here.
