⚡️3D printed bombs are finding their way into the war in Ukraine
PLUS: New study suggests babies' artistic tastes come from their parents
Clayton Hester
August 02, 2023
Happy Wednesday, creatives!
A great day to make something new.
Today we’ve got stories of 3D-printed bombs.
Plus, a new study says babies’ artistic sensibilities are reflected from their parents.
At the same time, we’ve got a look at the state of immersive art, with one museum shutting down.
Oh, and one man trying to fly an orca out of captivity via a plane. Typical billionaire stuff.
—Clayton
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
3D printing has spawned pretty handy stuff, art, and… well, weapons like ghost guns.
Now, 3D printing is changing the battlefields in the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine's fight against Russia's military aggression has taken an innovative turn as it turns to 3D-printed "candy bombs" to address ammunition shortages, according to a report by The Economist.
Amateur groups have emerged as the driving force behind these alternative weapons, with one group producing over 30,000 3D-printed bombs in just four months.
The non-explosive parts cost as little as $3.85.
Named "Zaychyk," meaning "Rabbit," these bombs have proven effective, slicing through wooden planks with ease, unlike conventional grenades with limited "killing power.”
Well, “war never changes,” as they say, but sometimes the tools do.
Art4Kids
Gotten the wife and kids and the dog in the car to take ‘em down to the art museum lately?
A study suggests babies’ art preferences mirror their parents’.
The findings suggest that the paintings adults deemed more pleasant were also the ones that captivated babies the most.
Infants aged between 18 and 40 weeks old were shown pairs of paintings on iPads, and their visual preferences were recorded based on which image they gazed at longer.
According to Philip McAdams, the first author of the study, this could be because high-contrast paintings are easier for infants to see, given their still developing vision. However, there were differences between age groups, with infants favoring more predictable paintings, and adults preferring those with unexpected elements.
IMMERSION
In a post-pandemic world, digitally animated projected light shows featuring art-historical masterpieces like Frida Kahlo and Vincent van Gogh took the stage.
But Lighthouse Immersive, known for "Immersive Van Gogh," has filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy to protect its U.S. assets during insolvency proceedings in Ontario.
The success of "Immersive Van Gogh" led to numerous imitators across the U.S. and overseas. However, the demand for these "immersive" digital projections seems to have waned in recent years, possibly due to oversaturation. While several shows are still running, ticket availability is no longer scarce.
Other artists also got their share of the spotlight, with shows like "Immersive Frida Kahlo" and "Immersive Monet and the Impressionists." However, Lighthouse Immersive's website shows signs of dwindling demand.
"Immersive Van Gogh" remains available in various cities, but the company's other current offering is "Immersive Disney Animation." Meanwhile, "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" opened in Westbury, Long Island, earlier this year.
Tickets for Lighthouse Immersive exhibitions started at $22 to $37.
IN THE BIZ
SiriusXM is rolling out a ‘next generation platform,’ aimed, naturally, at getting a younger demographic using the service.
Twitter Blue users can hide their checkmarks. Because of the stigma of paying for Twitter. Although getting verified seems like the appeal… so… who knows.
Lizzo, her production company, and her dance captain are getting sued for sexual harassment and discrimination.
PODCAST RELEASES
Near Allied: “If Not For My Art: Beethoven loses hearing but keeps mission”
MODERN PROBLEMS, MODERN SOLUTIONS
Well… you can’t ride around with a tiger in your car.
But can you fly around with an orca in your plane?
A billionaire philanthropist is solidifying a $20 million plan to free Tokitae the orca from her 53-year captivity in a small enclosure at the Miami Seaquarium. The plan, backed by a billionaire, involves loading the 8,000-pound killer whale onto a plane for a cross-country journey before releasing her in a bay near Seattle.
Jim Irsay, the owner and chief executive of the Indianapolis Colts, is spearheading the move, stating, "She's healthy, I've got the money, let's move her." The plan, led by activist group Friends of Toki with financial backing from Irsay, aims to release Tokitae within 18 to 24 months.
The process will see the 21-foot-long killer whale loaded into a harness and placed in a robust glass tank at the Miami Seaquarium. From there, the tank will be transported to the Miami airport and loaded onto a large cargo plane, like a C-130 Hercules, for a 2,700-mile journey to the Seattle airport. Accompanied by her caregivers, Tokitae will then be taken by truck to a 15-acre netted area near the San Juan islands in the Salish Sea.
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