Archive for the 'Art' Category
Tokyo Sky Tree
The ever so popular Tokyo Tower has made countless appearance in movies, shows and even anime will soon have a taller and more stylish successor, the Tokyo Sky Tree.
The name itself may put some of you off initially, but the soon-to-be tallest tower in the world is just an architecture marvel. It will stand at 610 metres with its completion date planned for 2011. It’s expected the new tower will replace Tokyo Tower as the new broadcasting antenna with its superior height and equipment.
Here’s a video (in Japanese, but the video is very much self-explanatory) that explains and illustrates the towers design:
The unusual name was picked through a poll with the options of picking: Tokyo Edo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Mirai Tree, Yume Miyagura, Rising East Tower and Rising Tower.
Here’s a video showing the ceremony where the new name was unveiled.
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Source:
JapanProbe via Japanator
Picture courtesy of JapanProbe
Britney Spears in Ghost in the Shell?
Take a look at Britney Spears’ new music video for “Break the Ice” below. Look familiar? For those Ghost in the Shell fans out there, they should recognise it’s similarities with the Ghost in the Shell themes; from jumping off rooftops to the kickass moves of Major Motoko.
Here, check out the similarities yourself:
Break the Ice
If you want to know, the video was directed by Robert Hales who also made Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” which I respect both the music and the accompanying video.
Those that aren’t familiar with Ghost in the Shell can just watch the Opening for it to tell how identical the two are:
Thanks to Akadot (I’m not really a Britney fan so never actually watched the video before this).
Millionaire to build Chinese Hollywood
One hundred and forty eight years ago, the Garden of Perfect Brightness (also known as Old Summer Palace) - a famous Chinese landmark was burnt down and pillaged by the British and French during the Opium War. The garden desiplayed its beauty through its many lakes, gardens and palaces that entertained and pleasured many emperors. At present day, a rags to riches Chinese millionaire named Xu Wenrong hope to, in his words, ‘wipe away this disgrace’ through the construction of an imitation of the 18th Century garden that has become a memorial of national humiliation.
Mr. Xu, who made his fortune from the entertainment industry will be recreating this ‘Chinese Hollywood’ as Mr. Xu describes it as, in Zhejian which will be used for Chinese imperial soap operas and as a tourist attraction - combining his patriotism and instinct of a good business opportunity. The idea faired well with China’s Communist Party, winning their approval.
The 400 hectare garden near Hengdian Town is predicted by Mr. Xu’s company, Hengdian Group to take 5 years (Opens in 2013). Something to add to your places-to-vist list in China soon?
If you are in a very generous mood in ‘restoring China’s wealth and cultural pride, you can help donate some of the 20 billion yuan ($A3.09 billion) that is required to complete the project. People who donate 500 million yuan or more would be honoured with full-body golden statues of themselves on the site.
Source:
TheFirstPost
SMH
Hong Kong’s Sex Education Dolls
In Hong Kong, there is no birds and the bee story to explain sex; only these two dolls, named Tak Tak and Kar Kar. The dolls are made by Family Planning Association of Hong Kong and is aimmed at teaching children about sex. The dolls are 23 inches tall and have removable clothes with sexual organs. The female doll even have twins “attached” to her.
You can view the dolls in all their glory here [NSFW?]
Source:
presscue via izreloaded
Smoke on the water - Ancient Japanese style
Deep Purple may have created the marvelous Smoke on the water, but it took a bunch of ancient Japanese musicians to create Smoke on the Yangtze! These instrument actually gives the song a whole new feel, especially the Biwa. The Japanese lyrics is also something to admire upon.
One thing I do wonder about though, is why they named the song Smoke on the Yangtze (A river in China), instead of like Smoke on the Shinano or Tone which are Japan’s more famous rivers.
Enjoy:
If anyone know anything about this Japanese orchestra, please do tell!
World’s Tallest Lift Tower
Japan opens the World’s tallest lift tower which stands at 173 meters high. Solae, they call her, is situated at Inazawa City and is constructed by Mitsubishi Electric (although I thought it would have been Honda with all their “The Power of Dreams” stuff).
Mitsubishi is said to use the tower to conduct research into high-speed elevators to serve the next generation of super-tall buildings such as the
Dubai Tower.
Don’t be deceived by its look, Solae cost 5 billion yen to construct and will be used to test new drives, gears, cables and other lift systems
The Taipei 101 lifts - built by Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems - have a top speed of 17m/s (61km/h; 38mph) and is recognised as the fastest in the world. They incorporate a pressure control system that stops riders’ ears from “popping”, and streamlined cars that reduce the whistling noise that blights some fast lifts as they are pulled through narrow shafts. Sounds more like a space rocket eh? Well, Solae will be used to test grandier elevators than this in the future!
Source:
BBC News
Coffin Inn, China’s Death-Themed Hotel
This is possible the closest thing to death you will ever experience. Not for the fainted hearted, Coffin Inn is situated in a graveyard in Lishui town, Jiangsu province of China.
Jiao Meige, the owner of the soon-to-be Coffin Inn came up with the idea after her plan of using the land for farming was rendered useless due to the tombs on it.
It only costs 50 yuan ($9.70) a night for thrill seekers. The details of your stay at Coffin Inn follows:
‘The night begins with the guest taking his dinner, followed by a hot shower at the service centre.’ Then a journey into the dark and mysterious begins with a service attendant leading the guest on a 15-minute walk to the inn, with only an oil lamp for lighting. Ms Jiao said: ‘When he reaches the white, solitary concrete building, the guest will be led into the dark inn. ‘He will be invited to lie down inside a big, black coffin-like box.’ After ensuring that the guest is comfortable, the attendant pulls the lid over the coffin and leaves. Ms Jiao said ventilation is provided through appropriate holes but ‘don’t expect any air-condition or fan.’ For the rest of the night, she added: ‘All the guest has for company will be the occasional howls of the stray dogs. ‘There are no services in the night, and the guest has nowhere to go.’ Heart patients and mentally ill patients will not be allowed to sleep in. They have to be accompanied by someone healthy. - Electric New Paper
Sounds pretty spooky, the type of things that drives people insane? Although its safety is questionable, what happens if the person needs to go to the toilet during the night, or even worse, he has a nightmare?
For those that still dare to try it out, the hotel will be opened early next year and reservations can be made online.
Source:
The Electric New Paper