This giant rubber ducky can be seen in France, in conjunction with “Loire Estuary 2007,” an outdoor, contemporary-art exhibition that features the works by 30 artists from around the world.
All of the work is being installed along a 40-mile stretch at the mouth of the Loire River, from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes. [Wooster Collective]
This (26×20x32 metres) duck is created by Florentijn Hofman.
Quack Quack…
An excerpt from Hofman’s website about this artwork…
A yellow spot on the horizon slowly approaches the coast. People have gathered and watch in amazement as a giant yellow Rubber Duck approaches. The spectators are greeted by the duck, which slowly nods its head. The Rubber Duck knows no frontiers, it doesn’t discriminate people and doesn’t have a political connotation. The friendly, floating Rubber Duck has healing properties: it can relief mondial tensions as well as define them. The rubber duck is soft, friendly and suitable for all ages!
Ever wonder what would the earth look like if the land becomes the ocean, vice versa?
Vlad Studio made an interesting piece of art with the idea, looks cute. You can download it as wallpaper if you like to…
French long jumper Salim Sdiri was hit by a javelin thrown by Tero Pitkamaki of Finland during the Golden League meeting in Rome on Friday (July 13).
It appears that Pitkamaki lost a bit of balance at the end of his run and hurled the javelin to his left… and speared Sdiri who was at the long jump warm up area.
Medical crew and ambulance were quick to attend to Sdiri and take him to hospital; later reports say that he didn’t suffer any serious injury.
I have always been wondering about the possibility of a javelin accident in the track and field games; didn’t expect to see it at a world class event though.
According to European Space Agency (ESA), scientists have reported the first conclusive discovery of the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, or a planet beyond our Solar System. [More details from ESA]
An artist’s impression of the transiting exoplanet, named ‘HD 189733b’ (Image courtesy of
ESA)
A Mexican coffee bean farmer near the border with Guatemala has grown these gigantic mushrooms in the hope of finding the secret that will enable them to grow large coffee bean plants. [RGS]
Gigantic mushroom
The farmer should consider selling mushrooms instead.
Hippocamp, or Hippocampus, is a mythological creature shared by Phoenician and Greek mythology which supposedly looks like a seahorse.
In Greek mythology, Hippocamps were the mounts for Poseidon (the god of horses and sea); whereas for the Romans… Neptune (Roman version of Poseidon) was often described to be riding on a sea-chariot pulled by hippocamps.
Hippocamps were often used in the artworks and sculptures in Roman’s fountains and public baths; some of these ancient arts can still be seen in famous tourist sites like the Roman Baths in Bath, UK and the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.
The mythological creature still has its influence in modern days; hippocamps are featured quite often in fantasy story books, including Harry Potter; and also in various fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons etc.
[more about Hippocamps on Wiki and Theoi]
The New 7 Wonders of the World is finally revealed in Portugal on July 7, 2007.
Some people might argue that this is a personal project (project history) that is not recognized by UNESCO and other important organizations; while some others might question the agenda of the creator Bernard Weber has.
For me… whatever agenda that the creator Bernard Weber has, this is a successful and fun event. If this is indeed a self-promotion or profit making saga by Weber, I would say he works wonder with his daring idea, kudos for that. Besides, no harm is done.
So here it is, the New 7 Wonders of the World (sort by alphabet)…
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A hemp field (20,000 square metres) in Utting, Germany has been ploughed with the image of Neuschwanstein Castle, the retreat of King Ludwig II of Bavaria; and the portrait of the king himself.
