Link About It: This Week’s Picks
A new, intimate documentary about David Lynch; a functional 18-karat gold toilet; a clock made of trucks and more
1. “David Lynch: The Art Life” Documentary
An intimate and fascinating look at the life of the brilliant filmmaker and artist David Lynch will premiere at next month’s London Film Festival. The documentary, called “David Lynch: The Art Life,” was directed by Jon Nguyen, Olivia Neergaard-Holm and Rick Barnes and they have crafted an intriguing picture—narrated by Lynch himself. From the first time he saw a naked woman to how his family wanted him to quit “Eraserhead,” there are a few insights from the documentary already being discussed over at Dazed Digital.
2. Instagram Introduces a Draft Feature
In a move that will certainly please perfectionists, Instagram is rolling out a draft feature—meaning users will be able to edit their photos and save them for posting later. It sounds like a very pragmatic and easy-to-use tool, “to save a draft, simply hit the back button mid-post and the app will ask whether or not you want to save the photo to your drafts.” Then all those saved photos will appear in your library—at the very top so they’re quick to find. Read more at Mashable.
3. Sky Brown is the Youngest Ever Vans’ Pro-Competition Skater
Eight-year-old pocket rocket Sky Brown competed against adults in this summer’s Vans US Open Pro Series—making her the youngest ever to participate. The Miyazaki, Japan-born skater is a force and seemingly has no fear—and even though she fell during her heat, there’s no doubt we will see more of her. Watch her take on the adults at Quartz.
4. There’s a Functional, 18-Karat Gold Toilet at the Guggenheim
If you find yourself on the fifth floor ramp of the Guggenheim Museum, you can now use a fully functioning 18-karat gold toilet. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan created the opulent copy of a Kohler toilet as “an over-the-top apotheosis of wealth” and has titled it “America.” Interestingly, Cattelan didn’t ever want it in the gallery, rather he told the NY Times, “I’m happy because it’s not on a pedestal, it’s not in a gallery. It’s in a little room, just waiting for you whenever you need it.” Next time you’re feeling especially posh, maybe head to the Guggenheim for your business.
5. World’s Oldest Library to Reopen
Founded in the ninth century by Fatima al-Fihri, the Qarawiyyin library is set to reopen to the public in Fez, Morocco. Believed to be the oldest library in the world, it was built as part of a complex which also housed the Qarawiyyin Mosque and Qarawiyyin University (the oldest higher education institution) and has been restored by architect Aziza Chaouni. Also a Fez resident, Chaouni says the process was “like healing wounds.” With special temperature and humidity control, one reading room is home to “a ninth-century copy of the Qur’an, written in ornate Kufic script on camel skin.” Read more at The Guardian.
6. Hillary Clinton on “Between Two Ferns”
Certainly a scarier interview scenario than appearing on Jimmy Fallon, a very brave Hillary Clinton was interviewed by the brilliantly weird and funny Zach Galifanakis on “Between Two Ferns.” The results are just as awkward and thoughtful as fans of the web series would expect. The two trade backhanded compliments and talk about sexism, how Mrs Clinton wants to save the country from Trump—and pantsuits, obviously.
7. How Early Humans Migrated From Africa
Three recently published papers suggest that “modern non-Africans originate from a single out-of-Africa migration.” This is believed because the three studies analyzed genomes from 787 people who come from over 270 populations all over the world—and the similarities across the board mean that there was probably a single exit from Africa. Fascinatingly, it’s believed that our ancestors began splitting up into separate groups some 200,000 years ago—relatively a blip on the radar, considering the Earth is 4.5+ billion years old. Read more at New Scientist.
8. Scania’s Clock Made of Trucks
In a deserted airfield, truck-maker Scania set up 14 of their vehicles (and 90 drivers) to create a clock made of trucks. The drivers kept track of every single second, minute and hour for 24 hours and the result is a mesmerizing real-life timepiece that is surprisingly beautiful. The event was filmed from five different angles, and viewers can watch from all of them at the website.
Link About It is our filtered look at the web, shared daily in Link and on social media, and rounded up every Saturday morning.
