Experimental Animated GIFs by RRRRRRRROLL

Wow these are great! Back in May a couple in Japan started a new project called rrrrrrrroll, using photography to explore beautifully minimalist animations based on objects and people turning on a single axis. According to twitter the group makes roughly two animations a week (there’s 34 already), so it’s probably worth your time to tune in. If you liked these, also check out Stellar by Ignacio Torres.
I can't get the gif to work when I post it so you will have to go to the LINK, my apology.
LINK, Via: ignant

Moonsault Scramble Roller Coaster Front Seat

Moonsault Scramble from Fuji-Q Highland. Now defunct. Reportedly pulled 6.2 G's! Crazy! Sorry for the low quality, this video is VERY old! LINK: Youtube

Rare Dragon_Shark Found In Japan

Rare Dragon_Shark Found In Japan. LINK: Youtube

The Demolition of Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel

Architect Edgar Tafel gives a brief discussion and presents his picture slides Of Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo Japan, as the most unfortunate demolition of this architectural masterpiece had already begun. The video was recorded in the theater at Taliesin East, Spring Green Wisconsin in 1992. LINK: Youtube

Brilliant street musician in Osaka, Japan

Street Performance. LINK: Youtube

Strange Japanese Sea Creatures

Exotic creatures lie at the bottom of Japan's Suruga Bay, including spider crabs, chimeras and lantern sharks. LINK: Youtube

Time-Lapse Video of a Crab Molting

(YouTube Link)
This time-lapse video was recorded during six hours at the Enoshima Aquarium in Fujisawa, Japan. It shows a Japanese spider crab shedding its shell. The crab measures over twelve feet across.

Via: Pink Tentacle | Previously: Crabzilla, Via: Neatorama

Giant Salamanders

(YouTube link)

Giant salamanders can grow up to five feet long! Flood control programs in Japan are threatening their spawning grounds, so scientists have developed innovative ways to help the salamanders get upstream. -Via: Unique Daily, Via: Neatorama

Woods of Net / Tezuka Architects

Woods of Net, a permanent pavilion for japanese net artist Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam, in collaboration with structural engineers TIS & PARTNERS.

The pavilion is located at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a unique open museum located in one of the most visited tourist spots in Japan. Woods of Net was added to the collection of art works as part of their 40th anniversary.

The architects description of the pavilion with photos by Abel Erazo. LINK

Tattoo in Japan

Fans of Japanese culture and of tattoo art will find much to enjoy in this large format photobook exploring the diversity of Japan's tattoo scene.

Tattoo in Japan is divided into four chapters dedicated to different geographic regions: Tokyo, Chubu, Kyoto, and Osaka. Each area is known for a distinct style of ink art. They are presented here in rich color images accompanied by essays on the history of tattoo art in this country, and its contemporary expression.

The book profiles traditional tebori artists (and the rituals of respect that surround them), along with street shop inkers (for whom Western musical influences like punk and rockabilly reign). LINK: Boingboing

Japan’s Wooden Supercar

“The frame and mechanical bits are metal like other vehicles. Everything else is wood. It’s to promote the city’s wood/furniture crafting industry and that of the company that built it.” LINK, Via: Youtube

Canon 5D Time Lapse Video Is Perfect Viewing Material for Lazy Sunday Afternoons

This time lapse video out of Japan (Mt. Fuju, Iwate Prefecture, et al) enhances my calm while upholding my personal belief that HD video on DSLRs is one of the best things to happen to cameras in recent history.

Entitled (autumn), the video was shot, as I said, around Mount Fuji and other beautiful Japanese locales. The music is trippy, the visuals crisp, and the people move about very quickly as clouds play about their heads. Enjoy. [Vimeo - Thanks, Sam], Via: Gizmodo

Salt sculptures by Motoi Yamamoto

Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto sculpts with salt. Hi-Fructose interviewed Yamamoto about his incredibly-intricate, yet temporary, installations. From Hi-Fructose: LINK, Via: Youtube



"WHITE SALT" is the name of Japanese artist Motoi Yamamoto's first Italian solo exhibition.
His work is characterized by the research and experimentation with unusual materials, like salt or glue, both techniques that he has developed through a unique and personal research in style. Color is not a present element in Motoi's work; his interest is focused on the output of lights and shadows through the construction of shapes.

Shadow Play

Ingenious and very tasteful Christmas advert for the Solaria Plaza in Fukuoka City, Japan. LINK, Via: Youtube

Unusual Playgrounds From Around the World

"Nishi-Rokugo – Tokyo, Japan"
Playgrounds have come a long way since the early days of hot, steel slides and open-backed infant swings. Safety is a big issue on today’s playgrounds, but so is imagination and ingenuity. LINK

CEATEC: The HRP-4C robot sings a song with Yamaha's Vocaloid

The HRP-4C prototype humanoid robot demonstrated singing skills at Ceatec in Japan. LINK: Youtube

Animated stereoviews of old Japan

In the late 19th and early 20th century, enigmatic photographer T. Enami (1859-1929) captured a number of 3D stereoviews depicting life in Meiji-period Japan. LINK

Go to LINK above to see the 3D animation (gif). These are really cool.

LEGO recreation of Buddhist temple in Kyoto

What the internet is for: this video of a beautiful LEGO recreation of Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan constructed in the 14th century. The guy who built this LEGO replica says the project required 4,500 pieces. Don't miss the splendid golden pavillion reveal - watch the whole thing. (Via: brothers-brick, Via: Boingboing, Via: Youtube)

(Another) Giant Robot Built In Japan

So, um, is this Japan’s economic stimulus plan? Lots of giant robot statues? If so, awesome. And since this is giant robot number 2, it must be working! This, of course, is Gigantor. You know, the original Iron Man? LINK



But anyway, back to the statue. It’s a life size version of the famous robot, which isn’t quite as big as a Gundam, but it’s still not something you’d want to piss off: LINK



Gigantor measures in at 18 meters tall, and 50 ton robot statue will be officially unveiled October 4th. LINK

Jenga-Inspired House

Architect Sou Fujimoto created a house inspired by the table game Jenga. It consists of cedar blocks 35 cm wide and was completed in Kumamoto, Japan in 2008.

Artist’s Website

Link, Via: Juxtapoz, Via: Neatorama