stellar-indulgence:

Opalized Fossils

These are no ordinary fossils (if there is such a thing): these incredible relics are made of solid opal, sometimes with rainbows of shimmering color. Australia is the only place on Earth where opalized animal fossils are found. These fossils are of global scientific interest and are among the most beautiful and valuable in the world. 

How do opalized fossils form?

Opal forms in cavities within rocks. If a cavity has formed because a bone, shell or pine cone was buried in the sand or clay that later became the rock, and conditions are right for opal formation, then the opal forms a fossil replica of the original object that was buried. We get opalized fossils of two kinds:

i.       Internal details not preserved: Opal starts as a solution of silica in water. If the silica solution fills an empty space left by a shell, bone etc that has rotted away - like jelly poured into a mould - it may harden to form an opalized cast of the original object. Most opalized shell fossils are ‘jelly mould’ fossils - the outside shape is beautifully preserved, but the opal inside doesn’t record any of the creature’s internal structure.

ii.      Internal details preserved: If the buried organic material hasn’t rotted away and a silica solution soaks into it, when the silica hardens it may form an opal replica of the internal structure of the object. This happens sometimes with wood or bone.

Images in this order: Opalized Dinosaur tooth, Ammonite,Shell x2, Dinosaur bone, Wood, Pineapple, Mussel shell, Belemnite. Click on each to view in more detail.

thekhooll:

Emergent Behavior

‘The hovering sculptures by Thomas Jackson’s photographs are inspired by self-organizing, ‘emergent’ systems in nature such as termite mounds, swarming locusts, schooling fish and flocking birds. The images attempt to tap the mixture of fear and fascination that those phenomena tend to evoke, while creating an uneasy interplay between the natural and the manufactured and the real and the imaginary.

emeows:

Artist Pip and Pop created the pastel fantasy land in which Romance Was Born presented their Spring/Summer 2013 collection, “Mushroom Magic”

Creative Director: Mark Vassallo

Stylist: Caterina Scardino

Hair direction by Alan White for GHD

Make up direction by Val Garland for M.A.C.

Nails by Rock Beauty London

Shoes by Shoes Of Prey for Romance Was Born

Jewellery by Romance Was Born in collaboration with Nikki Majajas and Pip and Pop.

Freaking Awesome. 

archiemcphee:

Australian art duo Pip & Pop, also known as Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz, create intricately patterned floor installations made of colourful sweets mixed with glitter, beads, toys, sand, and other equally vibrant found objects. It’s an edible neon wonderland! (Just don’t try to eat the glitter, beads, toys, sand, etc.)

These bright little worlds appear to have magically grown up out of the floor and feel like a fanciful blend of fairytales, Japanese pop art, and mandalas. We wish there was a level in one of the Katamari Damacy games that looked like this. 

Visit My Modern Metropolis to view even mor photos of Pip & Pop’s awesome installations. Don’t linger too long though, you might develop cavities.

By way, these sugary installations remind us of some of the work by a Portland, OR art duo known as Apak. If you like the art of Pip & Pop you might enjoy a peek at Apak’s paintings too.