Wildlife photography can get a little one-sided sometimes, and often we are left only to wonder at the beauty and exoticism of a creature that, however impressive, is still distinctly different from ourselves. Tim Flach subtly establishes a closer relationship between the human experience and the animal one through a unique artistic vision. He deliberately steps away from the documentary style, the obvious choice for photographing wildlife, and seeks to convey a certain unspoken atmosphere through visual representation. The result is absolutely mind-blowing, as it is rare to see such a viewpoint. Bats have never appeared more like humans, and there is something incredibly liberating and universal about a horse simply standing in water or a group of horses shrouded by mist. Photography is at its best when words are insufficient to describe it, and Tim Flach’s work not only elevates wildlife photography to another level of understanding, but it makes me, personally, never get tired of looking at it.

www.timflach.com

The only time I will miss those sticky summer days in the city will be when I remember ripe tomatoes and vibrant greens. Surveying the stalls at the Union Square Farmer’s Market for the most twisted-looking heirloom tomatoes, sweetest and smallest strawberries, and the most colorful garden flowers, one returns to old favorites such as the Body & Soul* stand with their baked goods while at the stand next to it, finds types of lettuce and chili peppers that they’ve never heard of. Market days are almost overflowing with summer fruit and people wishing to quench their thirst with some cold mint cider. The organic salad leaves are works of art in themselves, and the strawberries and blueberries are gone within minutes, leaving those fleeting memories of summer all the more sweet.

* They sell a three berry loaf that is great when sliced with some cream cheese and cilantro.

Chardin’s still lives always have a unique luscious quality about them, as if he truly loves the objects and food that he is painting. His Basket of Wild Strawberries is no exception, as the mountain of red fruit is almost dripping with sensuality. Soft, caressing brushstrokes are illuminated by a warm, golden glow, reflected on a single peach. A little bit of juice falls near the two white peonies, a slight touch that makes the fruit all the more palpable, bringing to mind hot, summer days of messy strawberry eating.

Although Chardin encapsulates all senses of the luxurious side of the strawberry experience, it is worth mentioning its depiction in medieval art, for it is no less appreciative. Monks spent their days producing immaculate illuminated manuscripts, while cultivating their monastery gardens. They included the strawberry in their art, especially in miniatures, especially when associated with the Virgin Mary. Their beauty as well as their medicinal value (the entire plant was used, and the leaves were particularly good in tea) must have prompted them to associate it with all-ecompassing perfection, salvation, nobility, and modesty.

Adriaen Coorte, however, paints from from the perspective of the strawberry in his Still Life with Strawberries, reminding me of long afternoons spent picking and eating wild strawberries, until one is sick of the taste. There is something poetic about the curved, green leaves against the seeded texture of the small round fruits, some with and some without their stems, with a few sides still left to ripen. The one white flower inexplicably completes and uplifts the entire painting. His is much like Vermeer in the sense that his unpretentious and, therefore, timeless way of painting leaves the viewer in quiet appreciation.

Lonely lily pad,

Lets enjoy the quiet dusk,

While we wait for fall.

As you float in cool water,

I will relish my brush strokes.

Ana Hagopian’s cascading grapevines, petals, poppies, and tulips seem to transcend their fabric construction to both embody their natural forms and exist as vibrant artistic melodies. They are spontaneous enough to be worn only by the most confident yet lively enough to be desired by everyone. Most of all, they appear as though they were found on a vine, tree branch, or plucked from a grass field. The Capuxines rings or Bugamvilia earrings are little creations that look like souvenirs from a colorful morning’s walk.

Mari Ishikawa’s work, on the other hand, looks like it came from the careful thought process of the elements. The silver rings are assemblages of a fallen leaf, a thin branch, and the binding force of the wind and rain. The brooches, gold or silver, are gloriously tangled with an artistic irregularity that is unrestricted from conscious regulations. They are all subtle, smiling indications of the perfectly imperfect forms of nature.

Dorothea Dähnickare’s creations are more immediate reminders of verdant greens, and evoke the same happiness one gets after finding a young leaf saturated with clean dew or a particularly successful day at the farmer’s market. Her freshly picked pearl-with-leaf pieces are effortless and ephemeral, living at the peak of midsummer. They are inherently elegant with a sense of fresh, fluent humor, such as one strand of grass delicately looped with two small pearl touches at the tip.

Royal geese, floating
Leisurely in reflections,
Models for Degas.

The luscious petals of the peony with its soft, luxurious folds only show themselves on certain occasions. Their feisty and elusive nature dates back to the T’ang dynasty in China, when, as the story goes, the Empress Wu demanded that all flowers bloom out of season. The peony solely refused, and was banished to the Luoyang province, the heart of peony culture and growth to this day. They deserve their reputation as flowers that symbolize wealth, good fortune, and femininity in Chinese culture. During the T’ang dynasty, their presence in the imperial gardens made them a sign of opulence as well as a precious commodity. From there, they traveled to Japan, where horticulturists developed a simpler, more delicate flower, and, many centuries later, they arrived in Europe.

Simon Pietersz’s peony in Flower Still-Life, is almost weighed down by layers of creamy brushstrokes, saturated with the elegance. Flemish flower still-lives reflected the desire of the flourishing mercantile class to flaunt their money, and the peonies were most likely associated with rare Chines porcelain vases depicting those flowers.

Franco-Flemish painter Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer perhaps provides the perfect culmination to the history of the sumptuous peony. He decorated the lavish court of Louis XIV with paintings such as “Flowers,” filling the canvas with a suffocating sense of a perfumed bouquet, making the viewer almost wish for the pure and unpretentious beauty of the peony in Chinese art.

I certainly won’t move my little finger if I don’t have a cup of tea first. It’s a matter of principle.

In the mornings, I prefer no nonsense black tea such as Red Dragon (the blend of irish breakfast, ceylon sonata, and earl grey bravo makes it particularly flavorful):

During the day, I like to experiment with different kinds of teas, depending on my mood. Choosing from a variety of teas on the spot, is, admittedly, quite satisfying. Whether it’s the aromatic and fresh Green Mango Pineapple tea or the rich chocolate flavors of the Scorpio blend, I’m always in the mood for another cup.

Green Mango Pineapple tea • Scorpio blend

There is always time to sneak another cup in the evening; this time, something a little more mellow. Capricorn is a blend of irish breakfast, coconut, and vanilla, and has both a luxurious taste and smell that is perfect for nighttime.

Please look at the Zodiac Blends and order your sign or one for a friend. They are all delicious, however, so find one that appeals to you!

Nick Veasey’s x-ray photographs reveal the delicate, detailed, and slightly haunting aspects of anything from a bee to a pair of underwear. Through his lens, objects gain a different and unexpected quality as they are deconstructed. The chiffon-like layers of a rose in profile might seem even more elegant, while the infinitely-edged skeleton of an open-mouthed fish might become lifelike in an eerie way. The most fascinating, for me are the animals, such as the sinewy bat skeleton, and the machinations of insects that seem like architectural drawings. The transparent petals and green vain labyrinths of his flower and organic sections also have an ethereal beauty and otherworldly feel.

Endless crisp folds overlapping deliberately and harmoniously form lines that reflect the beauty and simplicity of the compact form. Paper folding is design that also innovates the way we see space as we apply it to other areas of art and function.

Origami as a pastime for pleasure began during the Edo period in Japan, when the cultural flourishing and availability of paper inspired an exploration of the artistic side of folding paper. During this time, instructional books began to be published on the art of origami, such as “Hiden Senbazuru Orikata.”

Andre Lima’s fashion designs suggest that the stylistic capabilities of origami can be applied to complement the human form, perfectly combining the purpose of clothing as a reflection of body shape and the ambition of fashion to push the limits of this purpose artistically.
For a visual comparison, please visit trenddelacreme

Yasuhiro Yamashita’s origami-inspired house appears to be in a delicate yet solid balance, as it lightly rests its distinct shape on a single point. Just as origami forces one to reconsider how shape can be used to its best advantage, this house in Tokyo reinvents effective and creative living space. It quite literally floats on the sidewalk, a marvel architecture and artistry.

For a glimpse of the house as well as regularly updated origami-inspired innovations, please visit origamiblog.

Then, of course, there are those who take the humble art of paper folding to a whole new level, and create limitless possibilities for complex origami structures using mathematical concepts. For a truly fascinating look at how origami can go far beyond anyone’s expectations, please listen to Robert Lang’s talk.

Also visit origamiblog

Apple’s iTunes U serves up a fun collection of tutorial podcasts by physicist Robert Lang.

Robert Lang’s Origami Software