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If there's something strange about the buildings and objects in Frank Kunert's photographs, that's because they're not real. You see, Frank's a genius with building models:
The project "Small Worlds" is far from being mere photographic satire. Instead, Kunert has spent weeks, sometimes even months, working with deco boards, plasticine and paint, in order to model his thoughts in 3D. With an exceptional eye for detail, he has constructed faultless models, and created scenes that look just like the real thing. Kunert never flicks on his studio lights and reaches for his large-format camera until he feels that his models have reached a state of perfection -- until they have become little worlds of their own.
And, it is true, these intricate models could very well stand on their own. But by taking photographs of them, the complexity of these elaborately staged worlds (as well as the intended visual illusion they create) is made manifest. For Kunert, photo montage and computer animation do not come into question. He has no interest in getting fast results, or of achieving a perfect high-gloss surface. In his mind, it is not only perfectly acceptable that viewers of his large prints can detect that these are pictures taken of models; they should actually be aware of this fact. The "analogue look" of his photographs is intentional -- Kunert's answer to digitalization is creating images of the tangible.
This one above, titled Adventure Pool Complex, is but one of dozens of fantastic photographs over at his website: Link - via Trendland
After years of marketing to only small consumers, American Apparel decided to begin offering a limited selection of fashions in size XL. In announcing this, the company launched a competition called The Next BIG Thing Contest to find a plus-size model. Nancy Upton is a size 12 actress, and no fan of American Apparel. She entered the contest with the intention of mocking it.
The puns, the insulting, giggly tones, and the over-used euphemisms for fat that were scattered throughout the campaign’s solicitation began to crystalize an opinion in my mind. How offensive the campaign was. How it spoke to plus-sized women like they were starry-eyed 16 year olds from Kansas whose dream, obviously, was to hop a bus to L.A. to make it big in fashion. How apparently there were no words in existence to accurately describe the way American Apparel felt about a sexy, large woman, and so phrases like “booty-ful” and “XLent” would need to be invented for us—not only to fill this void in American vocabulary, but also make the company seem like a relatable, sassy friend to fat chicks.
Upton submitted a set of photographs of herself (mostly with food) taken by her friend Shannon Skloss. After the photos were approved for the contest and posted, Upton received more votes from the public than any of the other entrants! Upton writes about her feelings on winning the contest at The Daily Beast. Link -via Metafiter
More pictures and links about the project can be found at Upton’s blog (some are NSFW): Link
(Image credit: Shannon Skloss)
Great White Shark 3D Anatomy Model - $24.95
Are you crazy about sharks? You need the Great White Shark 3D Anatomy Model from the NeatoShop! This amazingly detailed 3D puzzle of the great white shark is made of 20 fantastic pieces. It comes complete with a stand and illustrated guide book. Get to know this ferocious predator today!
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more terrifyingly fabulous Toys & Games!
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Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, which has the world’s largest model railroad, has yet captured another superlative to its name: it has recently opened Airport Knuffingen, the world’s largest model airport.
Over an area of 150m², there will be almost 40 different aircrafts taking off and landing, up to 360 times, daily. Since 2011, more than 150.000 working hours, and round-about 3.5 million Euros have been invested in this spectacular project.
Hit play or go to Link [YouTube]
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Gisele Bündchen and Alessandra Ambrosio are just two of many Brazilian beauties that rose to become supermodels.
But if you think that they accidentally stumble into the world of fashion and modeling, you’d be wrong. No, they were discovered by model scouts whose job is to hunt for attractive teens (and even pre-teens) and groom them into the world’s next supermodels.
Where do these scouts find beautiful people? Not in the big cities – they concentrate their search in "hotspots" in rural Brazil:
Before setting out in a pink S.U.V. to comb the schoolyards and shopping malls of southern Brazil, Alisson Chornak studies books, maps and Web sites to understand how the towns were colonized and how European their residents might look today.
The goal, he and other model scouts say, is to find the right genetic cocktail of German and Italian ancestry, perhaps with some Russian or other Slavic blood thrown in. Such a mix, they say, helps produce the tall, thin girls with straight hair, fair skin and light eyes that Brazil exports to the runways of New York, Milan and Paris with stunning success.
Alexei Barrionuevo of the New York Times has a fascinating look at the industry that hunts for the world’s next supermodel: Link | Video Clip (Photo: João Pina for The New York Times)
Mark Hogancamp is the master behind an elaborate fantasy world we can follow in pictures and video.
After being beaten into a brain-damaging coma by five men outside a bar, Mark built a 1/6th scale World War II-era town in his backyard. Mark populated the town he dubbed “Marwencol” with dolls representing his friends and family and created life-like photographs detailing the town’s many relationships and dramas. Playing in the town and photographing the action helped Mark to recover his hand-eye coordination and deal with the psychic wounds from the attack. Through his homemade therapy, Mark was able to begin the long journey back into the “real world”, both physically and emotionally – something he continues to struggle with today.
A documentary about Marwencol premiered Saturday at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Link -via Metafilter
Photo: Mathew Albanese
This looks like a real volcano, but it’s actually one of Matthew Albanese’s finely detailed models made out of tile grout, cotton, phosphorous ink, and lit from within by 6-60 watt light bulbs. Other realistic shots include the surface of Mars from paprika, and a lake vista using a common glass patio tabletop. In his own words:
My work involves the construction of small-scale meticulously detailed models using various materials and objects to create emotive landscapes. Every aspect from the construction to the lighting of the final model is painstakingly pre-planned using methods which force the viewers perspective when photographed from a specific angle. Using a mixture of photographic techniques such as scale, depth of field, white balance and lighting I am able to drastically alter the appearance of my materials.
(Photo: George F. Lee, Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Retired dentist Young C. Park used aluminum to create incredibly detailed, realistic models of a Corsair and a P-51 Mustang. His airframes incorporate rods and pulley action, just like the real thing.
Using a tweezers, the controls can be moved. All cables and linkages are in place to work the wing control surfaces as well. Young Park has since carved a pilot’s face and hands from solid aluminum and built an articulated pilot to sit in the cockpit.
New Zealander Sandy Sanderson needed a new hobby to occupy his time as he recovered from a motorcycle accident, so he started making model cars from discarded aluminum cans. As you can see, he’s gotten very good at making what he calls CanCars. See more of his creations at Jalopnik. Link -via Digg
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Forget jigsaw puzzles, over at the Neatorama Shop, we've got some really cool (funducational?) 3D Anatomy Models/Puzzles with removable organs. My favorite is of the Woolly Mammoth and the Snail: Link
On Saturday, a man in Maryland successfully launched a 1:10 scale model of a Saturn V Rocket. The Saturn V is the rocket that took NASA astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo missions. The launch of the 36 foot tall rocket also breaks the record for the largest model rocket ever launched.
– via wired
From the Upcoming 
ueue, submitted by dalucero.
Miniatur Wonderland in Hamburg, Germany is the largest model railway in the world. With 7 miles of tracks in an area of over 16,000 sq ft, 200,000 people, 4,000 cars, 800 buildings, it features 6 geographic regions including America. It’s a work in progress (!) with a goal of more than 13 miles of tracks. The builders have already clocked in more than 500,000 hours of work.
This video is a presentation of this amazing attraction; make sure you watch the ‘small’ control room @ 3:35.
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Christophe.
Psst! Do you want to make a few extra bucks?
The economy is tough out there for artists but we have good news for you: we are hiring freelance graphic designers to design nifty T-shirts for the Neatorama Online Store as well as a couple of models (male and female, a couple preferred) to showcase the T-shirts.
Both of these positions are part-time/freelance – you can work from your home (though we prefer that you be in the USA and 18-years-of age or older). Oh, and models get to keep the shirts after they’re done modeling ‘em
Please email Alex for more details – be sure to include this as the subject line "Neatorama T-Shirt Designer Application" or "Neatorama T-Shirt Model Application."
Thank you!
Update 3/18/09: Thank you to everybody who applied! We’re sifting through hundreds of qualified applicants now and will make our decision shortly.
Migros, a supermarket chain in Switzerland, got a brilliant idea for its underwear advertising campaign: they are modeled by good lookin’ singles who you can contact!
In a wide-spread press release Migros announced to advertise their latest underwear worn by real singles, who are looking to meet and find a partner. The story quickly became a topic for the media, already giving the campaign a first ignition. 700 willing models applied and there from 26 where chosen. Following was a campaign that used real life singles modelling the underwear with possibility of the viewer to contact them over their email address. Hundreds of national and international media covered the story about the singles in Migros underwear.
