Oddity Central

Oddity Central

Arbol de Navidad – Mexico’s Unique Christmas Tree-Shaped Waterfall

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 02:00 AM PST

The Sumidero Canyon, located in the Mexican state of Chaiapas, is home to one of the most unique waterfalls in the world. This breathtaking natural formation, locally called Arbol de Navidad, is shaped like a Christmas tree.

Sumidero Canyon is dotted with several waterfalls, many of which aren’t even visible from ground level. But you can’t miss the enormous Christmas tree. A photograph of the waterfall with a boat below it gives an idea of just how huge it is. The moss-layered green rocks seem to erupt out of nowhere on the mountain-side. They are shaped a lot like the branches of a tree, and the moss completes the effect. Water spills from a hole above this formation, adding to the beauty of the scenery.

According to Sergio Lopez Mendoza, a professor at the School of Biological Sciences in a Chaiapas University, the Christmas tree has formed over 1000s of years. It is a result of the natural hydrological cycle, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the rocks. Unfortunately, the Arbol de Navidad is under threat of being destroyed. Professor Sergio says that the alterations caused by humans to the environment has caused the hydrological cycle to break. There are long periods without any water supply, so the Christmas tree is weakening and breaking.

Arbol-de-Navidad-waterfall

Beautiful Film Noir “Paintings” Made with Packaging Tape

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 01:00 AM PST

Something as mundane as packing tape, in the right hands, can be transformed into beautiful art. In this case, the ‘right hands’ belong to Ukrainian-born artist Mark Khaisman, who now lives in Philadelphia.

Mark uses nothing but packing tape and light to create his incredible artworks. He is a ‘painter of light’, as he puts it. Indeed, it is the play of light that brings out the true beauty of his ‘paintings’.

His process is simple – he sets Plexiglass sheets on a backlit panel that’s sort of like an architect’s box-light. This is the ‘canvas’ on which he uses the tape to construct images. He places strip after strip of packing tape on the glass, building up the image in layers. As he adds on the layers, less light shines through the glass, creating depth, shadow and definition in the pictures.

Mark-Khaisman

UAE Hold Annual Camel Beauty Pageant

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 12:00 AM PST

The Arabs appreciate their camels rather deeply. They call these beautiful creatures ‘God’s gift to the Bedouin’. In fact, they love camels so much that they get together once a year to pick out the most beautiful ones of them all.

The Al Dhafra Festival is held annually at Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. The camel beauty pageant is the highlight of this festival, featuring 30,000 camels from all over the Gulf region. It’s something like a dog-show, with the animals being paraded around and given marks on their appearance.

How does one judge the beauty of a camel? According to Ali Al Mansouri, a camel owner and member of the Al Dhafra organizing committee, “The judges are looking for camels with big heads, wide necks, firm ears, broad cheeks and big whiskers.” He also said that the body should be long, the hump and the back should be big, and the color and posture of the camel are important.

camel-beauty-pageant

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Islands For the Team: Modular Pieces, Custom Workplaces

Posted: 31 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

ophelis docks office furniture

Today’s offices are changing. No longer do we crave that huge corner office with the glass walls and the massive wooden desks, nor do we want the air hockey tables and Slushie machines of the 90s. The modern office is all about smart, flexible, multifunctional design.

multifunctional office spaces

rearrangeable office furniture

German furniture company Ophelis has created a line of office furniture called Ophelis Docks. The “Docks” are like islands in the office where different tasks are carried out. A sitting area here, a brainstorming zone there, a wall cupboard for storage and a desk for doing some serious grown-up working.

office interiors ophelis islands

docks islands furniture

Each of the pieces in the line is designed with similar dimensions so that they can all fit together perfectly. Two chairs can come together to create a comfortable co-working area, or several couches can be arranged in a cozy little area for a larger meeting of the minds.

islands office furniture

ophelis docks furniture

The designers call each of these sections “islands” because they can each stand on their own or be used together to create something larger. Rearranging the modules creates completely different types of spaces and functions, changing the way the pieces are used yet keeping the same cohesive aesthetic.


    

Inverted Marble Pyramid is Like a Floating Monolith Table

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST

inverted marble table

This pyramid-shaped marble table standing on its end looks like an impossibly heavy monument. It seems to balance on its smallest point, a feat that anyone who knows anything about the laws of physics might find a bit impossible.

pyramid table

The table, called Lythos, was designed by French designer Toni Grilo for furniture label Haymann Editions. Grilo wanted to work with marble but realized that the weight of the material would present some practical challenges.

upside down pyramid marble table

Initially trying – and then rejecting – a metal honeycomb structure, the designer eventually settled on a lightweight but very tough plastic substrate for the thin marble slices.

illusion inverted pyramid marble table

A small stone counterweight and leather strap help to both keep the tabletop in place and make it easier to move when necessary. The little trick that makes the table look like an inverted pyramid also makes the piece functional.


    

Tiny Space Lander Camper Explores Vast Serenity of Earth

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

space lander firefly

If the tiny living pod above looks like a NASA-built space lander, it’s for a good reason. Designer Garrett Finney used to work for NASA developing space exploration vehicles and living spaces. After he left, he set to work developing an Earth-based recreational vehicle. His compact creation is called Firefly as an ode to the beloved sci-fi TV series.

firefly trailer

At a weight of only 600 pounds, the Firefly can be placed in the back of a pickup truck or towed by a car – even a small car. The goal was to create a tiny temporary living space that was both tough and lightweight. The team’s knowledge of materials helped them construct a module that can withstand a variety of settings and uses.

robust compact firefly trailer

Meant as a temporary shelter and not a permanent tiny living space, the Firefly contains only the bare minimum of space and amenities. On-board water tanks and space for storage mean that travelers will have what they need at their disposal.

firefly inspired camper trailer

Although the Firefly is still in the prototype stages, the designers envision it eventually looking something like this: a serene outpost where one can get away from the rest of the world and just enjoy the beauty of our home planet.


    
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