In Pure Spirit

For open minds

How to build a human – hypnotic

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This wonderfully hypnotic animation is the work of Eleanor Lutz. Lutz specialises in taking science data and turning it into visualisations that make sense.

In this case Lutz is showing a zygote becomes a baby using a style designed by Nicolas Fong.

Despite the success, Lutz wasn’t entirely happy. She wrote;

I am a little sad that I wasn’t able to show size properly though. For example. the 24 week fetus is about 40 times heavier than a 12 week fetus (but you can’t tell that from this drawing).

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If you could ask Eleanor Lutz to visualise any set of data what would you ask her to do?

(Via Io9.)

Does this animation from NASA show the Earth dying?

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There’s controversy around this video. Released by NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies the visual shows climate change over 60 years.

You may watch this animation and conclude that it shows some dramatic climate change. Not so, say sceptics, who argue that six decades isn’t long enough to have any meaning in the climate context. Indeed, the video starts at 1950 and concludes at the end of 2013.

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What do you think? Does this video show climate change in action… or just random patterns flickering in too short a time to have any meaning?

Short film: Caldera

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Caldera is a wonderfully animated short film. It’s dark and surreal but tells the story of one young woman and her battle with mental illness. The film explores the issues around medications, how they are intended to help but also are a battle in themselves.

Directed by Evan Viera, Caldera pulls on very personal inspiration.

CALDERA is inspired by my father’s struggle with schizoaffective disorder. In states of delusion, my father has danced on the rings of Saturn, spoken with angels, and fled from his demons. He has lived both a fantastical and haunting life, but one that’s invisible to the most of us. In our differing understanding of reality, we blindly mandate his medication, assimilate him to our marginalizing culture, and entirely misinterpret him for all he is worth. CALDERA aims to not only venerate my father, but all brilliant minds forged in the haunted depths of psychosis.

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What does Caldera mean to you?

What has Man done for nature?

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This video, by Steve Cutts, was created in Flash and After Effects and is a simple look at mankind’s relationship with the natural world. The music is the classic In The Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg.

You can read more about Steve Cutts at his site.

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What do you think of the animation? Is it a fair representation of mankind and nature?

Must watch: Bendito Machine

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This is the fourth Bendito Machine episode. You might spot something that looks like the Shell logo in it.

The world of Bendito Machine is one in which a clumsy species relies on their machines, can’t live without them, and are guided by greedy bastards who think they know everything – but don’t. Sound familiar?

Artists on the project include Jossie Malis, an animator of Prevuian-Chilean origin, the German composter Julie Reier, the American story-teller Sxip Shirey and the Spanish Pau Martinez.

The team would like to make more Bendito Machine – but to do this they need to raise money. They’ve turned to Kickstarter for this. Kickstarter works by letting you – people like you and me – say “Okay, if this animation is made then I’m willing to put $10 of my own money in” and for the artists to say, “If you put $10 in and the film is made – we’ll give you a bonus”.

If enough people promise money and the target is met – then the film is made, people get their bonuses and all is well. If not enough people promise money and the target is missed – then no one pays any money as the project isn’t started.

You can promise to support Bendito Machine on Kickstarter. I have. Amazon, the book people, are responsible for sorting out the money promises – that’s a name you can trust.

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What do you think? Did you enjoy the animation? Will you be supporting the project?

Funny, cute and green

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These three YouTube videos are a sample of superb character design and animated comedy. More than that; they’re a pro-green message given in a friendly, fun and easy to consume way.

We need more ads like this in order to ensure the green message embeds with the younger generations.

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Which was your favourite?

Do you think this is the way we should be bringing the green message to younger generations? Or is this too simple?

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