My Modern Met

Today, thanks to publicly accessible, digitized—or photographically reproduced—collections, art lovers can virtually "visit" museums through the screens of their computers, smartphones, and tablets. One major institution that has embraced this new technology is New York's famed Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). In addition to browsing prominent pieces from its permanent collection (over 70,000 reproductions are available online), now, you can explore every exhibition presented by the museum since its grand debut in 1929.

According to Michelle Elligott, the museum's Chief of Archives, the new exhibition history tool offers “free and unprecedented access to The Museum of Modern Art’s…

Rising up as spectral monsters, the New York City buildings captured by photographer Marc Yankus loom as giants in the urban landscape. The series of dreamlike images give new perspective to the architecture, and by pulling back to show his subjects in their naked context Yankus forces the viewer to observe their raw impact. The solitude that inhabits the photographs are in stark contrast to the normally buzzing city streets. This solitude enhances the magnitude of the historical buildings, which stand as silent witnesses to the passages of time. The alternating cool and warm tones of the photographs lend a cinematic quality to the series, where the buildings appear to be ripped from the set of a post-apocalyptic science fiction film.

Yankus' work also serves as a time capsule of the evolving urban fabric.…

Artist Angela Schwer crafts clay sculptures that showcase the beautiful bounty of nature. Her intricate, detailed works are ripe with texture as leaves, fungi, sea urchins, and more are clustered together in decorative tiles to hang on your wall. Constructed in a single neutral color, the beauty of these organic shapes shine.

Schwer’s work revolves around the parts of nature that are often overlooked. “I could spend all day looking over fabrics, cellular photography, and the complexity of plant structures,” she writes. This fascination is translated into tiny, individually-formed elements that seemingly burst with life.

Although Schwer’s pieces look like porcelain, she actually produces them from polymer clay—a material that hardens in conventional ovens. “I enjoy the look of surprise when witnessing a shift in…

To nature enthusiast and self-proclaimed “lover of creative and adventurous things” Tobias Meyer, the sky is the limit.

Based in Switzerland—though seemingly always on the go—this 22-year-old travel photographer finds inspiration in the great outdoors. He documents his picturesque escapades on Instagram (under the pseudonym cosmokoala), where he shares everything from surreal sunsets to charming cabins and snowshoe hikes to helicopter rides. The result is a collage of beautifully-shot, wanderlust-inducing photos that read more as a stunning study of nature than as a social media account. 

Unsurprisingly, Meyer thrives on spontaneity and risk, throwing caution to the wind and believing that “the harder it is to get to the…

Costa Rica is well known for its lush rainforests, astounding volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife. The country also has a reputation for actively focusing on climate change initiatives and can now boast the title of running on 100% renewable energy for 76 straight days (and counting).

According to Costa Rica's National Centre for Energy Control (CENCE), June 16, 2016 was the last day that fossil fuel-based energy was used on the national grid. Throughout August, the country has accumulated 150 days of renewable energy in 2016 alone. (Data for September activity use will be forthcoming.) This is the second time the Central American country has run for more than two months straight on renewable energy. In 2015, Costa Rica powered itself for almost 300 days (in terms of electricity generation) without burning oil, coal, or…

When the city of Antwerp needed a smart design to help them unite the city's 500 port authority employees under one roof, the brief was multi-faceted. Not only would the building need to accommodate future expansion—Antwerp is Europe's second largest port, handling 26% of the continent's container shipping—but had to integrate the heritage of the protected former fire station already on site. In 2009, Zaha Hadid Architects unveiled their competition winning design. The project is one of 36 begun before Zaha Hadid's passing in March and presents a magnificent solution in the voluminous structure that hovers above the fire station. By leaving the historical building's facades exposed,…

Totems allow us to feel connected to something (or someone) even if we’re apart—the small objects conjure memories and feelings just by looking at them. This is the idea behind Waaypoint, an online shop that creates totems of special places. Conceived in Portland and born from a love of cartography as well as the Pacific Northwest, the designers have produced a collection of pendants and rings featuring the famous Mt. Hood. “[It’s] our first location and personal Waaypoint,” they tell us in an email.

Each totem showcases the mountain’s peak rising in solid silver, plated rose gold, and plated 18k gold. The representation of Mt. Hood is impressively precise and includes intricate nooks and crannies—a miniaturized version of the real thing. To produce this effect, Waaypoint 3D printed the location from NASA’s digital elevation…

A delectably delicious dome has popped up at Copenhagen's Chart Art Fair. Created by “future-living lab” Space10, the Growroom prototype presents a new approach to urban farming.

Space10—an innovative hub launched by IKEA in 2015—serves both as a research lab and as an exhibition space, uniting technology and science with art and design in order to explore the future of urban living. Space10 is a collaborative platform that enables like-minded creatives “to get inspired, gain fresh perspectives, and discover new talents and ideas to invest in and bring forward.”

Like many experimental expositions generated by Space10, the Growroom proposes…

Globally, one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year—approximately 1.3 billion tons—gets spoiled or wasted, resulting in over 795 million people lacking regular access to healthy food. A recently launched food waste grocery store in the United Kingdom is working to reduce this major issue by selling products that other stores have rejected or thrown out, due to nearing expiration dates or dented packaging. Operating on a "pay as you feel" model, the to-be-named warehouse helps people on tight budgets obtain proper nutrition for their families.

This innovative food waste supermarket was opened in Pudsey, near Leeds, by The Real Junk Food Project Charitable Foundation—a…

For the past several years, Nicky Bay has carefully observed the dazzlingly odd-looking arthropod known as the “mirror spider” (scientifically: “Thwaitesia argentiopunctata”). The Singapore-based photographer has concentrated his macro lens on this small creature whose midsection is cloaked in silvery, mosaic-like panels that reflect light. From certain angles, it looks like it’s wearing fabulous, tiny sequins.

Thanks to Bay’s continued documentation, he has noticed that their appearance changes depending on the environmental circumstances. “The ‘silver-plates’ on the abdomen seem to shrink when the spider is agitated (or perhaps threatened),” he writes, “revealing the actual abdomen.” Under normal conditions,…

At the smell of a crispy biscuit and the sound of the word 'treat,' dogs tend to lose control. They may leap, their eyes may widen, their jowls may wildly flop about. In his series, Dogs Catching Treats, German photographer Christian Vieler has captured that magical moment right before the thrown treat is caught. Vieler has been documenting dogs in his studio for three years, which has built up a portfolio of unique catching strategies. Some dogs go all in enthusiastically with mouth wide open. Others have a more lackadaisical approach. No matter if they present a nervous smile or a more skeptical face, the portraits showcase each dog's personality in a downright adorable way. 

As for why Vieler focuses on dogs as the subjects of his work, the photographer tells…

Photographer Sebastian Wahlhütter captured these heart stopping images of an annual hammock gathering which took place at Tijesno Canyon in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As part of the Drill and Chill Climbing and Highlining Festival, 19 brave souls hung out in 17 hammocks provided by organizers Ticket to the Moon. The hammocks were strung along a 262-foot gap more than 600 feet above the canyon floor. Wahlhütter captures the light, joyous atmosphere of this human rainbow as the climbers prepare to take their places. The 16-foot hammocks that project coordinator Igor Scotland specially designed for the occasion became a home to his guests, as they read, blew bubbles, and…

Over the past year, food has proved time and again that it’s a delicious, unconventional canvas for incredible art. A Redditor named Skizorbit, owner of Darling Delights bakery, recently crafted a set of cake and cupcakes that look out of this world. When asked by a friend to make a galaxy-themed dessert for their wedding, she delivered with these vibrant confections that showcase the magic of the stars.

Skizorbit posted her creations to Reddit, where people were quick to ogle over the beautiful surface decoration—and ask questions about her process. To produce this colorful, multifaceted effect, she used a special painting tool. “I covered the cake with…

Photographer Richard Phibbs began volunteering with the New York chapter of the Humane Society in 2012, an experience that inspired his series called Rescue Me. The endearing endeavor features portraits of dogs who have had a rough time in life and found themselves at the shelter—some with heartbreaking journeys that demonstrate their resilience and incredible will to live. Thankfully, through the dedication of people like Phibbs, they find comfort and protection.

To honor these pups—and help some find their forever homes—Phibbs captured them against a simple, neutral backdrop. After long stretches of neglect, their beauty and strong spirit finally shine as they’re given the respect they’ve always deserved. Many of the dogs have physical reminders of this troubling time, but with these dignified…

Artist Rianne Zuijderduin’s dreamy macramé creations blur the line between bohemian simplicity and polished elegance. From large-scale wall hangings to petite plant holders, the Netherlands-based artist presents a contemporary twist on the classic craft.

Zuijderduin’s distinctively geometric macramé collection is as diverse as it is beautiful. Unlike knit or woven textiles, macramé is fabricated by meticulously knotting cords into intricate patterns, resulting in exquisitely detailed designs and a lovingly handmade aesthetic. Zuijderduin’s tapestries offer a creative alternative to typical wall décor, while her chic, suspended plant holders bring a modern feel to any room. Though most of her pieces simply retain the cords’ neutral and natural tones, some are dip-dyed with bright pops of…

Nowadays, we often don't take the time to get to know our neighbors—even though they just might be the people who can save your life in times of trouble. If it wasn't for her neighbors, Anne Glancey might have lost her house. The retired teacher grew up in a New Jersey house, whose shabby appearance led her to be faced with code violation fines up to $3,000 a day from the city council. With no known family or friends and little money to tackle this expensive job—which included repairing the peeling paint and cutting the three-foot-high grass—Glancey had nowhere to turn.

Then, one day this past summer, a group of kind volunteers unexpectedly showed up at her house with ladders, lawn mowers, and paint. The group was spearheaded by Glancey's neighbors, Adam and Kristin Polhemus—a couple in their 30's who had moved to town five years ago. This wasn't the first time they…

Polish artist Justyna Kopania welcomes us into autumn with a series of beautifully executed oil paintings. Bursting with warm color, the paintings explore the varying moods of a fall landscape. Trees saturated with leaves in colors ranging from burnt ochre to deep crimson move toward a skeletal state, casting melancholy shadows on lakes and rivers. The artist continues to show an evolution in her work, masterfully building layers of oil paint to bring vibrant texture to the canvas.

Kopania shows a deep understanding of using color to build shape and depth, both on a technical and emotional level. In an era when contemporary art is often defined by non-traditional media, she is a throwback…

Artist Ian Simmons was busy this past year. In his own version of the 365 project, he drew one movie quote every single day. This impressive undertaking combined hand-lettered typography, calligraphy, and illustration as he brought the words to life on the page. These chosen quotes represent a number of artistic styles and compositional approaches. Many of the drawings are text-heavy and focus on memorable (as well as nostalgic) monologues while others are concise—they convey incredible emotion with just one word.

To begin his project, Simmons picked a famous line from Fight Club that most people will recognize. “I want you to hit me as hard as you can,” is drawn with black pen and splattered with…

Italian artist Annaluigia Boeretto’s striking sculptures capture the unexpected splendor of splashing water. Undoubtedly inspired by life on the lagoon, the Venice-based artist (who is also referred to as Annalù) creates pieces that evoke movement and drip with drama.

With a focus on texture and an interest in illusion, Annalù’s oeuvre comprises beautiful sculptures that experiment with abstraction. In her Liquidity series, some pieces are entirely organic, while others portray recognizable forms, like intricate, exploding flowers and overflowing books that appear to burst at the seams. While the translucent creations convey the light and lustrous quality of glass, they’re actually crafted from a different—and surprising—medium: resin!  The material is saturated in a wash…

When a child finally falls asleep for an afternoon nap, many new parents might jump at the chance to catch up on emails, clean the house, or, most importantly, have a few quiet moments to themselves. Mother-of-two Ayumi Omori, however, uses this time to hone her creative eye and take playful photographs of her slumbering kids. As her children sleep side-by-side, Omori transforms them into colorful characters and transports them to imaginative scenes.

Using props such as vacuum cleaners, throw blankets, stuffed animals, and even Amazon boxes, Omori turns her two-year-old twins, Ichika and Taichi, into pop culture icons. Movies, television, and current events become her muse as Ichika and Taichi morph into characters from Ghostbusters, Lilo and Stitch, and Jaws; Olympic…