What an Eye Opener!

Cheesy post title, check. Although the contents is far from it. The incredible photography seen below is the work of Suren Manvelyan. Here is a collection of macro shots taken of the human eye, simply named "Your Beautiful Eyes." And how beautiful they are indeed. The innovative artist behind these photographs is not only the leading photographer for Yerevan Magazine, but, incredibly, also has a PhD for work on quantum chaos and technologies, as well as lecturing physics, mathematics and astronomy at Yerevan Waldorf School. A man of many talents, it seems.

My oh, Eye!

Hadn't I come across Manvelyan's photography, I'd have never known to what extent our eyes are actually textured. Check out the layers we have in our irises! Sure, I remember the science lessons we had in high school dissecting cows eyes and learning how our pupils were actually holes. Never did I expect them to be able to compete with the Mariana Trench though! But really, it's an incredible feat to see this much detail in such high resolution. To think that if I had my own expensive camera with a ridiculously brilliant lens (a PhD wouldn't hurt me either, or an eye for taste - har har), I'd be able to see my own unique set of coloured and textured receptors. The more I look at these images though, the more my eyes begin to feel a little funny. Absolutely breath-taking, mind-blowing photographs, nonetheless.

Click below to see more of Manvelyan's incredible series Your Beautiful Eyes and further links.

What an under-appreciated luxury photographic recording has turned out to be! In this modern age where cameras have become so accessible and constantly within our reach,  it's hard to believe that once upon a time, to be photographed was an exceptionally large deal. Especially in the Victorian era, where the price of a photograph costed more than a week's worth of food. 

Petrolian post-mortem... I'd have assumed the parents first.

 Go on. Take a good look at that photograph and tell me what you see.  Because I can sincerely swear that just two of the three people present in the photograph are alive. In fact, the only figure to actually be standing up, is not alive. Exhibit A is just one of the many post-mortem photographs that were taken during the Victorian era. When a child or loved one passed away, it was a common occurrence for the families of the deceased to stage photographs for future nostalgic reference. As you can actually see in the Petrolian photo, the bodies were often held  in place with the use of wires, poles and metal constraints, while pupils were often painted onto their closed eyes. Spooky huh? Maybe when my cat dies, I'll make sure to photograph her on my lap for safe keeping. Actually scratch that, we have taxidermy now. I'll just get her stuffed.

For more Petrolian post-morten shots, hit 'Read more'

Forget Wally - Where's Liu Bolin?

That's right... I gave up on Wally and Waldo a long time ago, back before I forgot where I misplaced my Where's Wally books (oh, the irony.) And who even needs an invisibility cloak when you can just paint yourself into thin air? That's exactly what Chinese artist Liu Bolin has done, remarkably camouflaging himself into backgrounds to such a degree that one would think it was done digitally (it's not.)

Liu Bolin: International Hide-and-Seek Champion

WHERE'S HE GONE? WHERE IS H- Oh. Oh, there he is. Taking up to ten hours to authentically paint and photograph himself for the perfect perspective, Liu Bolin has been recognized for his art at a now international level. Contrary to the 'fitting-in-with-society' vibe, the 35 year old artist explained that these artworks are in protest against the Government for their actions against Chinese artists, as well as the closing of his studio a half decade ago. 

A virtual across-the-web word of warning to Liu Bolin however, as China's current outlook on protesting artists has not been entirely appreciated - as I'm sure Ai Weiwei will happily tell him.  Click here to see a few samples of his incredible projects.