Bruce Shapiro

by Ami Kealoha

Northern California-based artist Bruce Shapiro makes the kind of kinetic sculpture that mesmerizes and dazzles visitors at science museums using computers and simple motors, a practice he terms "The Art of Motion Control." In episode 94 we visit Bruce at the Maker Fair and at his home to learn more about works like "Pipedream," effectively a screen that uses bubbles in place of pixels, "Sisyphus, "an intricate zen sand drawing and a kinetic ribbon sculpture modeled on ribbon dancers.

Also on Cool Hunting: Bruce Shapiro's Art Machines, Artbots 3

Jango: Social Internet Radio

by Jacob Resneck

Imagine an online social network that provides free, on-demand online music but without the legal anxiety of peer-to-peer networks. More interactive than conventional internet radio, though not as gratifying as Napster was in its glory days, Jango is a New York City-based music site with a large database of songs and artists and is instantly addictive.

Now in its beta launch, there's a waiting list for new members though the first 100 readers to click this link can join. If you don't make the cut, not to worry. The site maintains a waiting list and it should only take a couple of days for an account to get activated. Once you're in, you can invite three of your friends.

The interface couldn't be more simple. Simply type in a musical artist you like and the site will play their songs. You can also specify how broad your tastes are by setting it to play only the artists you have identified or you can opt to hear artists it considers to be in the same genre. This isn't risk free. After adding a few classic rock bands the site began playing The Eagle's "Hotel California." Luckily by clicking on the frowning face icon, I was able to banish that song from ever playing again. Conversely, you can tag songs you like and the site will make sure to keep them in the mix.

It's a social networking site so after creating a profile the site continues to learn your musical tastes and tailors its selections accordingly. Meanwhile, you can add friends with similar music tastes and swap playlists. It's a great site because not only is it easy to hear songs you like, but it also turns you on to new music.

Funk Off Bag

by Tim Yu

by Passa Chattra

The guys at Warrior teamed up with Pollen Design in NYC to come up with the ultimate solution for Hockey and Lacrosse players. The Warrior Black Hole "Funk Off" Fan Bag features a mesh opening on one end and a a die-cast industrial (and removable) exhaust fan that draws out the moist, sweaty air inside the bag, drying used equipment in just a few hours. For those who don't know, Warrior is like the Burton of the Hockey/ Lacrosse world.

The protective gear of a Hockey or Lacrosse player is difficult to wash due to its size and materials, therefore it rarely gets cleaned. Typically a player would air out their 30-40 lbs of wet, sweaty equipment in a spare bedroom or garage. But after a long, exhausting game, many players are too tired to properly air out the gear. The zipped-up bag breeds bacteria, mold, fungus etc. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) actually issued a warning that advises proper care of sports equipment to prevent health risks. If you've ever had to live with, or just walk past one of these equipment bags, you know that the odor could burn the hairs right out of your nose.

Made of ballistic nylon, the bag will survive the battering of the hockey/lacrosse lifestyle. "Funk Off" Lacrosse version was introduced earlier this month, the hockey version will be available in January. As the folks at Warrior put it, "This bag blows." Available for $108 at Lacrosse.

TiWalkMe: 1,000-Year Forest Clock

by Watchismo

TiWalkMe is a clock (still in conceptual stage) designed to track 1,000 years using a forest seeded along a ribbon of land to tell time. Annual tree plantings set the pace, visually representing time passing as they mature and functioning as the clockwork mechanism. The purpose of the project is to make a long progression of time visible as a way to help focus on long-term planning in reaction to the failure of our species to do so.

Over the next millennia the TiWalkMe Escapement will grow in one direction with some sections aging, others regrowing and above all, changing. Future generations are the stewards of future details, but the proposal tasks this generation with locating a site (several have already been determined as good choices), etch the overall plan of paths and trees and set the clock into motion.

Although handling the project will be passed down from generation to generation, three principles will guide its evolution: 1)The slow march of trees across the Escapement must always be visible and unobstructed; 2) The Escapement must adapt to future knowledge and needs, yet remain balanced with the past; 3) TiWalkMe's mission is to bring perspective and insight to its visitors.

The man behind the TiWalkMe is inventor, physicist, entrepreneur, designer, former Bell Labs chief scientist, and now venture capitalist Greg Blonder of Genuine Ideas. Presently, the search continues for funding, volunteers, and site selection.

Learn more about the project at Watchismo.

Create an Eskimo Joe cover

by Lost At E Minor

Our friends over at Imeem, the internet's fastest growing social networking site according to the latest Comcast figures, have an Eskimo Joe design contest running at the moment on their group page. It's all very simple: Listen to the album, which is streaming on the page, choose your favorite song, and create album art for it as if it was going to be produced as a single. They'll then pick the best design and turn it into a digital single at the iTunes Music Store. The contest runs until 8 November 2007.