Devised by the Breakfast new media art studio, the Pearl sculpture is over 13.7 metres high, has a diameter of 16 metres, and is composed of nearly 3,000 computer-driven kinetic tiles.
World’s largest kinetic art sculpture unveiled on cruise ship
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“H” Is the Mark for Honda’s Two New Zero EV Series Concepts
In a case of “better late than never,” auto manufacturer Honda has finally joined the EV race, using the stage at CES 2024 to unveil a pair of all-electric concept models featuring the brand’s new electrified Honda 0 Series. It marks a first for the brand, an aerodynamic raked flagship concept model outfitted with automatic posture control seating and some wildly mesmerizing spoked wheels, while the the other is a form-follows-function people mover offering living room comforts on four wheels.
The aggressively angled Saloon arrives as the Honda 0 Series flagship concept giving a hint of what’s to come from the automaker looking forward to 2026. As is often the case, Honda’s new design language arrives with an equally high concept name: “The Art of Resonance.”
Looking something like the progeny of the Lotus Turbo Esprit, the Lamborghini Huracán from the side, some TRON-like lighting, and maybe just a hint of an 80s-era Dustbuster hand vac, the low and wide aerodynamic Saloon concept makes for Honda’s dramatic entrance into the EV market, a category they had previously tippy-toed around until now. The concept’s steep raked windshield paired with an extremely abbreviated bonnet and the inherent space-saving characteristics of an EV platform results in a car with an enormous interior cabin… and one hard to ignore backside.
The Saloon also debuts advancements of new steer-by-wire and motion control management systems connected to a yoke-style steering wheel. Of course, no new tech is quite new unless AI is included. The Saloon’s “human-centric” safety concept is outfitted with advanced AI, sensing, recognition, and driver monitoring technologies to achieve more human-like, natural and high-precision risk predictions. Eventually Honda intends to expand some hands-off features for certain lower risk driving conditions across highways and city streets.
That spacious interior is outfitted with sustainable materials and a human-machine interface (HMI) instrument panel designed to make operating the next-gen ride as simple as operating a smartphone. The Saloon also features a posture control system that assists the driver to be seated in the most ergonomic and comfortable position while driving, adjusted automatically dependent upon driving conditions.
To further emphasize Honda’s EV forward looking plans, the company designed a new “H” mark for the Honda 0 Series and future EV models symbolizing two outstretched hands to represent “Honda’s commitment to expand the possibilities of mobility and continue to meet the needs of its customers.”
The second concept unveiled at CES 2024 is the Space-Hub, a more spacious take on the EV. The futuristic minivan is designed around the theme of “augmenting people’s daily lives” – noting such augmentation likely means allowing drivers and passengers to revel in a cabin of conversation-pit proportions, paired with greater visibility to take in the scenery. The Space-Hub’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach is here to emphasize the vehicle’s connection between passengers and the world outside its capacious interior. It also features a rear that is far more generous than the Saloon.
“We have gone back to basics and formulated the Honda 0 Series with a design for the new era,” says Shinji Aoyama, Global EVP of Honda. “A bold and pure proportion that from the first glance is overwhelmingly different from other EVs to evoke a new perspective for people.”
A new zero logo and “H” logotype signifying Honda’s electrified intentions ahead of the 2026 model year, when Honda intends to cross from concept to offering a full featured EV production model, was also revealed on-stage at CES 2024.
Integrating sustainable materials and futuristic silhouettes with tech-laden interiors, the two new models are both platforms to showcase Honda’s efforts in engineering a new stable of electric vehicles inspired by “the environment, society, and users in harmony” with some AI thrown in for good measure.
Honda also announced the development of improved battery technology to address the public’s concerns about charging times. For the Honda 0 Series models launching in the late-2020s, fast-charging from 15% to 80% of battery capacity will be shortened to just 10-15 minutes. Compared to the hours required during our recent holiday travels by EV, this development sounds particularly essential for mass adoption of this type of automobile.
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While Honda did not provide any details about either vehicle’s powertrain, specs, or pricing, as is par for the course of automotive show concepts, the automaker did officially say a production vehicle based on the Saloon concept is expected to come to the North American market in 2026.
The Most Important Lessons I Learned as a Professional Photographer
Not so long ago, I was sitting, browsing through the work I did in 2023. This year was marked by me going outside of my comfort zone. Having spent yet another year as a professional photographer, here are the takeaways I will bring into 2024.
I often say in private conversations that those of us who become photographers do it for the love of the art, not for the money associated with it. Perhaps this opinion is very traditional. After all, I aim to be an artist using photography, rather than simply a photographer. Money aside, it is a sweet job to have. You get to play around in your studio, be an artist, and ideally do what you love. Indeed, when I look back at 2023, I lived by doing what I love. At 21, it’s more than anybody can ask for. While I am very far from being wealthy by doing what I love, I can’t say I’m starving either. I invest quite a lot of what I make back into my photography. Most of what I make goes straight back into making new work, traveling for work reasons, and other work-related activities. In some ways, I see photographing fashion as my calling, which I’ve been fortunate enough to discover at such a young age. This year I managed to land editorials in some of the best-known magazines, as well as work with people I could only dream of working with.
Travel
A lot of my success in 2023 came from travel. At the moment, I definitely lost more money on it than I made; however, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Building a client base in a completely new market takes time and money. I would be a lot more profitable if I stayed in my home base and shot locally. However, local success can only do so much. At an age when I have no kids, partner, or frankly anything that is holding me back, I can go and spend time anywhere I want, assuming I have the funds for it. This year, I managed to visit key markets for fashion work such as Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin, some of these several times. The general trend I am noticing at the moment is that the first visit will be a loss financially; however, you will find people to work with. On the second visit, you will break even, and on the third, leave with a plus. Additionally, travel has enabled me to move to a new city and establish a studio there. Thanks to some very fortunate circumstances and pure luck, I am now proud to call Munich my home. Compared to Budapest, the Munich market is larger, and there are more opportunities. Key cities such as Milan and Paris are a short train ride away. To sum up, had I stayed in Budapest for the year, I would’ve not been able to leave that market or make connections and find work in other places. In fact, some of my best work has been shot away from Budapest.
Network
Networking is something I was really scared of doing at the start of this year. The thought of going to an event and trying to talk to as many relevant people terrified me. The way I got over it is by treating it as a game of bingo. Note down a few people that you recognize at the venue and go up, talk to them. Complimenting their outfit, recent work, or anything else that they’ve done will be a sure way to get into their good graces. If the conversation goes well, you can invite them later on for a one-on-one meeting. Etiquette dictates that the one who initiates the meeting picks the spot as well as pays for the other party. Don’t be greedy in these cases. A coffee that you paid for can go a long way. Networking is a time and money investment, an investment that is sure to pay dividends later on. Instead of buying a new camera, try to set aside a monthly budget for attending various events and going into meetings. Sometimes this may involve traveling to a different city. While it may seem like a stretch to fly into another city for a meeting, it is really worth it. I tend to batch such meetings together and visit a town for a few days with a schedule full of meetings.
Find the People You Work Well With and Stick With Them
This is another point that I really honed in on in 2023. While I encourage everyone to work with as many people as they can, there comes a point when you keep working with the same person. A lot of what photography is about is collaboration. A good team behind your work can make your images miles better. While the photographer is responsible for the overall success, the team can be the actual deciding factor in how a shoot goes. Work with as many people as you can, and then pick a few that will form the backbone of your team.
Outreach
Outreach goes hand in hand with networking, especially online. In 2023, I worked hard to get to know the right people in a variety of markets stretching from up in Stockholm to down in Milan. In my line of work, fashion photography, I strive to reach the people that hire photographers. These would be fashion editors, agency directors, art directors, art buyers, designers, and so on. Outreach was one of the key factors in being able to invest so much in my business. It was also the factor behind me being able to push my creativity beyond what I could ever imagine.
Move to a Larger City
This was the ultimate goal I had set for 2023. Being based out of Budapest, I always knew that the market there would never be able to accommodate the number of photographers that have populated it. While other markets are equally as saturated, there tends to be a lot more work happening as well. I won’t bother going into my detailed analysis of the Hungarian fashion market. I do want to point out that this analysis led me to set a goal to move away. So, as soon as there was an opportunity to have a studio in Munich, I said yes immediately and signed the contract the week after. This sudden move was more a stroke of luck than anything. However, had I not been traveling, networking, and reaching out to people, I would not have had this opportunity.
A Moment in the Life of UCLA
January 18, 2024
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
—Omar Khayyam, 11th century Persian scholar and poet
Watch our video, capturing selected moments from the day:
The Dalí Bruin | Margo Leavin Graduate Art Studios
At the graduate art studios in Culver City, Nehemiah Cisneros, an M.F.A. candidate at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, works on larger-than-life surrealist paintings that express his Angeleno identity.
Under the Microscope | Biomedical Sciences Research Building
Jennifer Achiro, an associate project scientist, studies how the brain forms long-term memories.
Reaching the Peak | Rock Wall
A bold climber takes on the Rock Wall in the John Wooden Center.
I’m Only Humanoid | Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory at UCLA
Professor Dennis Hong works with a student on the robot Artemis, possibly to increase its 2.1-meters-per-second walking speed.
Face Time | Kerckhoff Hall
Colorful stained-glass windows surround stylist and model as they prep for a UCLA Store photo shoot.
No Badge Needed | UCLA Campus Police Station
Police K-9 Kylo lends a helping paw (or two, or four) to UCLA Police Department officer Tiffanie Hand and another officer.
Social Studying | Black Bruin Resource Center
Students in the Black Bruin Resource Center — backpacks and laptops in tow — enjoy the 2-year-old center’s space in Kerckhoff Hall.
Tapping In | MacGowan Hall
Students warm up for a Dance for Music Theater class with Cheryl Baxter in the School of Theater, Film and Television.
Room to Roam | Stunt Ranch
The UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve in Calabasas got its name from the family that homesteaded the property in 1885. These days, plant physiology studies, conservation genomics and other research projects progress on the 310 acres of the reserve, overseen by assistant director David Blake (pictured) and others.
All That Racket | Sunset Tennis Courts
Two competitors square off on a court at the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center.
On the Road Again | Santa Monica
The Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA has been serving the Southland since 2001. The wheeled service provider pops up all over L.A., connecting underserved communities with social and health resources.
Figure of Speech | Near Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Chancellor Gene Block giving remarks at the fifth anniversary celebration of the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families.
Primed to Play | Outside the Faculty Club
Student musicians Carlos Oliva (vihuela), Alaina Stark (harp) and Aviv Schifrin ’23 (trumpet), on their way to give a mariachi performance.
The Moment of Tooth | School of Dentistry
A student in the UCLA School of Dentistry practices on an artificial set of pearly whites.
Split the Difference | Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
A twisty tree with a split trunk symbolizes Bruin perseverance.
The Sound of Music | Herb Alpert School of Music
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Wind Ensemble perfects a piece with Professor Travis Cross.
Hammer Time | The Hammer Museum at UCLA
Museumgoers walk around and through the Hammer Projects: Chiharu Shiota installation in the newly redesigned lobby of the Hammer. The Osaka-born, Berlin-based Shiota is the first artist featured in the lobby since its reopening in March 2023.
It Takes Five to Tango? | Royce Hall
Staff set up for a concert featuring Latin Grammy Award–winning ensemble Quinteto Astor Piazzolla, ingenious interpreters of the music of the legendary Argentine composer, who created New Tango in the 1960s.
Architechnique | Perloff Hall
Fanciful models and materials await the hands of architecture and urban design students in the brightly lit makerspace.
Accommodation Station | BruinHub
The John Wooden Center’s BruinHub, a collaboration between cityLAB and a host of campus administrators and advocates, supports student commuters.
Read more from UCLA Magazine’s Winter 2024 issue.
Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik aims to set world record through sand sculpture on Lord Ram at Ayodhya
On January 22, to commemorate the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, renowned sand artist Padma Shri Sudarshan Patnaik and seven other artists will host a sand sculpture art camp on the banks of the Saryu river with the goal of breaking the world record, an official said. The director of the Uttar Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy, Dr. Shraddha Shukla, announced in a statement that the art camp will be held in Naya Ghat and that it would be based on Lord Ram and Ramcharitmanas.
Perfect SSD for iPhone Photographers
The new USB-C port on the iPhone 15 has opened up a whole universe of different accessories that can now be used, like USB-C hubs, universal chargers, universal dongles but most importantly (to me), the ability to use SSDs with your iPhone. Even though you can use everything with any of the iPhone 15s, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the ones that have USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, allowing for up to 10 Gbit transfer speeds. For us creatives, that unlocks a lot of functionality. Combining this new functionality with enhancements to SSDs, you now have a full studio in your pocket. I might have found that perfect SSD companion in the new Dockcase Pocket NVMe SSD – Photography Edition.
I have been a fan of Dockase products for a few years now. I have used the USB-C hubs as well as their external SSDs and their claim to fame has been their amazing and rigid build quality as well as their unique real-time status/diagnostics display. They use this display on almost all of their products which is amazing!
The Specs
The Dockase SSD comes in two different finishes with matte black as well as stripe mirror, I have the strip mirror version which looks fantastic. The build of this little guy is great, using a combination of aluminum and tempered glass for the display, so you do not have to worry about this thing breaking.
Here are the specs that make this SSD the perfect iPhone companion:
- Supports ProRes HDR footage, meaning you can record directly to the SSD from the iPhone
- Max capacity of 2TB
- USB 3.2 Gen 2
- 10 Gbit transfer speeds (includes 60W 10 Gbit braided cable)
- USB-C port
- Only 50g in weight
- Two 1/4in screws for simple mounting onto tripods or iPhone rigs
- Power Loss Protection
- SSD swap with enclosure access
Now of course this also works with Android devices and dedicated cameras but I have been using it with my iPhone 15 Pro Max and it’s been great.
Diagnostics display
This 1.3in by 1.3in LCD display gives you all the small details every photographer would want to know in real time. It lets you know statistics like the storage size, the amount of storage left, real-time read and write speeds as well as the life span of the capacitor. One of my favorite use cases is when I record in ProRes HDR on the iPhone. It will show me exactly how fast the footage is being saved onto the SSD so I have peace of mind to know exactly what is happening with my ProRes footage.
The display is bright, easy to read, and very self-explanatory. It has one physical button on the side that allows you to control the screen by changing the orientation as well as diving deeper into each aspect of the SSD.
Pricing & availability
The Dockcase Pocket – Photographer Edition is currently available on Kickstarter with shipments set to start in March of this year. This will be Dockcase’s 11th Kickstarter project and they have a 100% success rate on reaching their backing goal and their estimated delivery date! They have also already exceeded their backing goal and have over 400 backers already.
There are multiple variations of this Dockcase Pocket, you can purchase the entire package with an SSD already installed or you can just buy it as an enclosure and then find your SSD to install after the fact. The stripe mirror edition with no SSD starts at $79, the matte black with no SSD starts at $85. Then you have the 1TB version that starts $129 and then the maxed-out 2TB version is $249.
So if you are looking for a new SSD for your iPhone setup, or you are just looking for a reliable yet unique SSD for your workflow, this tiny SSD by Dockcase could be a great option. Its well built, serves its purpose and has a cool trick up its sleeve with the display. Let me know what you think. Is this something you see yourself using? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
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Love child of former King Albert of Belgium reveals bizarre sculpture
In her Instagram post, Belgian artist Princess Delphine, formerly known as Delphine Boël, also opened up about feeling ‘vulnerable’ in the spotlight.
Colorful tulle sculptures in Madison Square Park brighten the winter cityscape
On view through March, new vibrant sculptures made of tulle in Madison Square Park are adding brightness to the city’s bleak winter landscape.
Yukihiro Akama Carves a Whimsical World of Miniature Wooden Houses
Photos by Red Photography, © Yukihiro Akama, courtesy of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, shared with permission
In Huddersfield, England, a half hour’s drive down the road from Yorkshire Sculpture Park, artist Yukihiro Akama fashions an whimsical, miniature world from within a furniture maker’s workshop. In his forthcoming solo exhibition at YSP—his largest to date—the artist presents 55 intricately carved wooden houses in Basho no Kankaku—A Sense of Place 場所の感覚.
Akama, who pursued a career in architecture while living in Japan, often relied on digital tools and felt disconnected from traditional methods of building and working with his hands. After he moved to the U.K. in 2011, he began to carve small houses that reminded him of vernacular styles, like stilt houses, that he would see on his travels around Asia. Inspiration also comes from Japanese temples and shrines, particularly elements from 4,000-year-old ruins dating to the Jōmon era.
Starting with a hand-drawn sketch, Akama allows intuition and the characteristics of each piece of wood guide the final design. Rough hunks of timber transform into elegant, low shapes or tall, spindly structures, with sizes ranging from a little bigger than a fifty cent piece—about 1.5 inches—to more than 40 inches tall. Sometimes the artist adds a cantilevered effect, occasionally sticking on pebbles and clay to add organic textures to the surfaces, then finishing with a dash of a blow torch before polishing.
Basho no Kankaku—A Sense of Place 場所の感覚 will be on view from March 9 to June 30, and you can learn more on the park’s website. Explore more of the artist’s work on his site and Instagram.
Work in progress. Photo by Benedict Phillips
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Yukihiro Akama Carves a Whimsical World of Miniature Wooden Houses appeared first on Colossal.
Fear Not, Lorien Stern Makes Snakes in the Grass Adorable
Even if you have an ophidiophobia (the fear of snakes,) you’ll find yourself attracted to artist and designer Lorien Stern’s latest assorted rug release. While her larger body of work consists of ceramics, the medium of tufted rugs as a canvas provided her an opportunity for artistic exploration. Stern plays with the idea of a vantage point when designing the collection because areas of tufting can be produced at a variety of lengths. For the Snakes in the Grass rug, the grass elements are higher than the snakes, giving the illusion of hidden critters slithering through the greenery. Conversely, the tufted snakes on Snakes in the Sand sit higher as if there were real creatures moving about your home.
Stern also pays homage to her ceramic art with the Test Tile rug, inspired by cherished pieces of ceramic that she has used to test different glazes over the past several years. One test tile developed a large crack through the middle during its last firing, so Stern turned it into a rug commemorating its unique design.
The smaller, Little Garden Rug fits compact spaces, like a doorway, but echos the same grassy theme. Also included in the new offerings is the Snail in the Grass throw pillow, Stern’s first in the collection. The whimsical caricature is a fitting addition to all the garden motifs found throughout the additional home furnishings.
To shop Lorien Stern’s new rug collection, visit lorienstern.com.
