I'll be honest, when I saw the trailer for the upcoming Werner Herzog documentary Cave of Forgotten Dreams I was intrigued but hesitant. The notion of 32,000 year old cave paintings sounds fascinating but how would one make a full-length film about a place you are barely allowed to enter? And why is it in 3D? However, after having listened to this NPR story in which Herzog describes his childhood fascination with cave paintings, how he gained permission to film in the cave at all and the precautions that had to taken to preserve the cave I am way more on board than before. Just hearing him describe the anecdote of seeing 30,000 year old footprints was enough for me but there's a load more in the story. Do give it a listen.

The majority of photography from Chris Sisarich is commercial work for automotive ads or the New Zealand tourism board. The work is incredibly solid but, as it should, feels different very different than just shooting from the hip. However, as Lions and Vultures points out, the Landscape work is different. Few of the images capture any people so maybe that's the key difference but I love the big expansive feel of most of the images.. I mean, how are you not going to like this or this? You can't not enjoy it.

Take a moment to read this great interview with Dirk Laucke from Studio Laucke Siebein. It is filled with meaningful insight and quotes worth jotting down. Here's a few:

"What I noticed was that with these multinationals, the design decisions were often insincere and motivated mainly by company politics. A designer has to learn to hide as far as possible the contradicting and unimportant requirements of a product."

"I am convinced that the surest way of producing a bad product is to ask as many people as possible for their opinion. You’re much better off if only one or a maximum of two people are involved in the decisionmaking."

"Good design in my opinion is measured on how easily it is understood, on the honesty of its concept. For that reason I never try to process too many good ideas in a design. One well worked out idea, easy to grasp even if seen only in passing, is for me better design than a fireworks display of spectacular ideas."

via Arlo

I have seen much lately of the unfortunate recent passing of filmmaker Tim Hetherington. I am entirely ignorant to his body of work but apparently his documentary work is best known for how deeply entrenched he would put himself in his journalistic undertakings. While covering the strife between Gaddafi and the opposition he, and photographer Chris Hondros, were killed in gunfire.

So, I don't really know his body of work but I'm diving into Diary - "a kaleidoscope of images that link our western reality to the seemingly distant worlds we see in the media." A bold statement but, from what I've previewed, a true one.

If you're looking for a bit of design inspiration that will kick your butt into gear into designing a flexible site for multiple screen sizes then look no further than Media Queries; a repository of designs that intelligent adapt to wider screens, somewhat smaller screens and very small screens. There are pages upon pages of great examples to check out - maybe even some familiar faces.

Hat tip, Daniel Box.

Yep, this gallery of Soviet Space Program Posters re-confirms the notion that I never get sick of seeing graphic design from this era of Soviet design, particularly when the subject matter is their emerging space program. Love it.

via Ryan.

There are plenty of Tumblogs out there that compile various vintage images and toss them into a stream but there are two things that make When We Were Cool different. For one, the images and actors portrayed are actually documented - giving you the opportunity to find out more about whats being presented instead of sending you on a dead-end search through TinEye. Secondly, you get the sense that the author is a legitimate fan of the work; not just harvesting anything that comes across their path.

Currently, the first few pages are devoted to Peter Cushing and Vincent Price.. so you may need to dive a little deeper if you're looking for variety. Well worth a +Follow as far as I can tell.

Chad clued me in to an interesting Kickstarter project yesterday for a potential iPhone app called Turf Geography. The basic concept blends FourSquare check-ins with Monopoly style real estate conquests. Some of the particulars aren't entirely clear yet (as the game hasn't been built) but I do like the concept of augmenting every day interests with a playful game. Stylistically, it's also got a rad pixel look going on.

As an added bonus, if you pledge $25+ you will receive a ridiculous-yet-awesome t-shirt. Go watch the intro video.

Nick Butcher and Nadine Nakanishi, better known as Sonnenzimmer, are having a spring cleaning sale they're calling Artifact April. There are a number of phenomenal paintings, unique book creations, art subscription deals, screenprints and mysteries available for some very affordable prices. If you're looking to add some goodness to your art collection, this should be your first stop along the way.

You may recall the Everynone / Radiolab collab WORDS; a clever bit of brain teasing linking words and images together. Well, they've got a new one called Symmetry that tackles pairs of images - proper diptych style. I don't see how you couldn't enjoy it but let me know if you somehow find a way.

Daniel clued me in to The Phraseology Project and I'm loving what I'm seeing. Good, intriguing, typography is something that I've always wished I was better at... so to see such a large repository of inspiring treatments is fascinating to me. There's a large variety of styles throughout so if you don't see something right off that grabs you, keep scrolling and you will.

I had the distinct pleasure of running into the man responsible for the musical undertakings known as Noir Test last night and felt compelled to ensure that you knew of said undertakings. The music is quiet, classically influenced (to say the least) and gives off an excellent sense of calm... even if it is a bit ominous at times. Also, any Bandcamp profile that manages to use "aleatoric" and " fibonacci sequences" as legitimate tags gets some major credit in my book. I suggest starting here to get a good taste of what's in store.

While I've not actually played Super Meat Boy I do recall seeing footage of it and reading a load of great reviews. So, with that in mind, I was intrigued by this postmortem from the two developers behind the game and the trials and tribulations they went through. It sounds like it was a somewhat harrowing experience with some disappointing results. Regardless, it's great to hear their enthusiasm for gaming and development remain despite all their hardships. Go check it out, everyone loves an underdog.

via Will.

I know next to nothing of the works of Manchester Orchestra. Other than the fact that I often get their name mentally confused with Mannheim Steamroller I am 100% ignorant. I was recommended by multiple people to check out their new video for "Simple Math" off their upcoming album. While it's a little thematically heavy-handed at times, the effects are really great. Meaning, so good that I'm sharing it with you because you really should watch them. So, kudos to Daniels for making a video for a band I knew nothing about and keeping me intrigued the entire time.

If you have the time, read through this Chris Ware interview conducted by Matthias Wivel of the Danish Comics Council. Ware's ability to articulate insight to his own process is refreshing and well worth reading through. If you don't have time at the moment, add it to your Instapaper.. you'll want to revisit it when you've got a chance.

via Feltron.

If you're the kind of person that listens to podcasts while they exercise may I suggest this Radiolab short about Diane Van Deren; one of the world's best "ultra-runners." She literally runs for days on end with no sleep. Granted, it's due to a operation she had involving removing part of her brain but it's still an inspiring story to keep your feet moving.

Knowing that I'm a sucker for behind-the-scenes museum photography, I got the heads up on this short set of images entitled After Life from Mike Edrington. I love the consistency of the wrapped taxidermy in different environments and assume you will as well.

I would also recommend not stopping there once you're into the portfolio - as he's got several other great projects worth looking at. Oh, and this.. because, why not?

The allure of science illustrations is always high but make them about proposed future technologies and stemming from a Soviet / Russian mentality and you've got me hooked. This repository of Science Illustration is firing on all cylinders. It's a healthy mix of ridiculous sci-fi, somewhat believable undertakings and phenomenal illustration styles. Oh, and some of the titles are completely perfect.. i.e. Atomic Blasting Powered Interplanetary Manned Spaceship. Perfect.

via Chad.

Another week, another batch of weird and, hopefully, entertaining videos. For those of you on a non-Flash friendly device please visit the playlist on Youtube and cross your fingers that someone will come up with an HTML5 friendly method of embedding playlists someday. For the rest of you, enjoy the embed above or just visit the individual videos that pique your interest below:

• How To Get A Guy To Notice You While You're Having Sex With Him - obviously a bit of NSFW subject matter and illustration here but, man, it is perfectly absurd and hilarious. The cooking illustration made me lose it. via Mixel.
• Children Enjoy Dinosaur - if this happened during my childhood it would either be a moment I relived forever through nightmares or through joyous recollection.
• Admiral Ackbar - Penetrate It - quick little behind the scenes puppetry of everyone's favorite Star Wars weirdo.
• Crater Face - short film animation with some feel good vibes coursing throughout it. The end is sweet and, oddly, a little brutal too. via Josh.
• Casa de mi Padre trailer - I don't want to know if this trailer is real or not. I have decided to believe that it is and await the full-length release.. whenever that may, or may not, be.
• Star Trek: TNG: The XXX Parody - this is completely safe for work (especially more-so than that Onion video). Honestly, aside from the bad wigs, this is an entirely accurate portrayal of the show.
• Scooter Computer and Mr. Chips - a previously unreleased Schoolhouse Rocks short about computers that was, I assume, created to quell the public's fear about the forthcoming computer overlords. The best part is that the musical interludes feel like a subversive Pink Floyd b-side that it's lying to you.. Mr. Chips knows he will be sentient one day.
• Pop Tart Cat! - an exercise in endurance. How long can you make it through this video?

BONUS

• Zwack - yea, I posted it yesterday but go watch it now if you were putting it off for a more appropriate time (like right now).
• Paper Record Player - really phenomenal project.
• Concept Camera: The WVIL - detachable lens that still works remotely. I can foresee this actually happening as long as the battery recharging process wasn't entirely cumbersome. The proposed UI is rather neat too.
• Nicknames - not a video but look at that illustration. Ridiculous.

Have a great weekend! Tomorrow is Record Store Day - so don't miss out on any / all festivities going on in your area.

I have the pleasure of taking in a viewing of Richard Ayoade's first feature-length film Submarine last night. You may recall my previous mentions of it.. excitement levels, and expectation levels, were high. I hate to overhype a film but it delivered on every level I was hoping for and then some. It's incredibly funny, poignant, heavy, melancholy, absurd, heartbreaking and even sweet. It's kind of all the elements you'd want in a film.. assuming you're prone to the indie-comedy-drama as I often am. Long story short, the film is officially released in the US on June 3rd.. and I suggest you partake as close to that date as you can.