The Art of Wire

This week: Wire sculptures, a religious experience, and a little cosplay.  Meticulously Wrapped Aluminum Wire Sculptures by Seung Mo Park Tightly wrapped aluminum wire recreates the delicate folds of clothing and the sinuous musculature of the human body in this series of sculptures by Korean artist Seung Mo Park. The metallic layers spiral around molded fiberglass forms in a manner reminiscent of tree rings or rippling water. Surreal Photo Manipulations by Caras Ionut Just about anything is possible in the world of Photoshop inhabited by artist Caras Ionut. A sprawling tree takes the place of antlers, a child is suspended over a rural landscape on a playground swing, and a little girl practices her violin for a receptive elephant. Ionut creates these surreal photo manipulations using largely his own photography.     Just the Two of Us: Portraits of Cosplay Enthusiasts in their Homes by Klaus Pichler No, this is not a photo from the tamest Halloween party ever. This series of portraits titled Just the Two of Us by photographer Klaus Pichler depicts Austrian costume play (cosplay) enthusiasts against the backdrop of their everyday lives. The juxtaposition of the utterly ordinary domestic setting and the elaborate costumes creates incredibly intriguing images. The Bizarre Street Art of Daan Botlek Street artist and illustrator Daan Botlek is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands and is known for his strange form of character-driven street art. His generally simplistic, site-specific figures often interact with the space around them, passing in and out of unseen dimensions, and shedding skin in the process. A 15th Century Cathedral Transformed into a Modern Bookstore For many, reading a good book can be a religious experience, but this new bookstore in Zwolle, The Netherlands takes that idea to a whole new level. Architects BK. Architecten managed to add three levels of retail space while preserving all of the major elements of this 547-year-old Dominican cathedral, from the pipe organ and stained glass windows to the ceiling paintings and expansive arches. The bookstore, Waanders in de Broeren, opened this summer. Switcheroo: Quirky Portraits of Couples Swapping Clothes by Hana Pesut Switcheroo is an ongoing portrait project by Canadian photographer Hana Pesut where fashionably dressed couples are asked to swap clothing for a pair of portraits sent against an identical backdrop. While the premise is pretty simple, the results are often highly amusing: giant feet crammed into tiny high heeled shoes, the seemingly nervous faces of cross-dressing in public, or even the genuine grins of subjects who clearly enjoy the project as much as the photographer. Back in the Colossal Shop: Boxcar Planters   Back in stock after huge demand, these Boxcar Planters from Revolution Design House are an awesome addition to your windowsill, desk, or any other flat surface. The 3-piece planters are made from Eastern Black Walnut or Ash and are perfect for small succulent-style plants. Also check out the new Boxcar Electric. And for anyone getting an early start on their holiday shopping, the Colossal Shop now offers free U.S. shipping on all orders of $75 or more!