mer, 10 nov 2021
Lei Wang from Houston, Texas is a goldfish enthusiast, and a judge at competitions where the fish, originating in China 2000 years ago, is rated on its color, body shape, and swimming prowess. Online, via his YouTube channel Goldfish Corner, he's using goldfish to further human connection.
ven, 12 nov 2021
Durrell Smith in Atlanta, Georgia is a member of The Georgia-Florida Shooting Dog Handlers Club, aka The Black Handlers Club. The club originated in the 80s as a response to segregation of Black and White dog handlers, and is now a place for members to practice the art of dog handling with their bird dogs.
mer, 17 nov 2021
After bringing his first fingerboard back from the U.S. in the '90s, Martin Ehrenberger from Germany realized that nearly every skateboarding trick can be replicated with a fingerboard. He went on to found Blackriver, the first supplier for professional fingerboarders, to provide finger athletes with tools of the trade like boards, parks, and obstacles.
ven, 19 nov 2021
At the Rosie the Riveter Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, CA, 100-year-old Betty Reid Soskin is America's oldest park ranger. Employed with the National Park Service beginning in 1942, Soskin believes that remembering our history is key to understanding the future. Her memoir Sign My Name to Freedom was published in 2018.
mer, 24 nov 2021
Kroot Juurak and colleague Alex Bailey of Vienna, Austria create performances for pets (accompanying humans also allowed), featuring dance, theater and performance art. Performing in the comfort of pets' homes, the artists seek to give animals a front-row seat to human experience -- flipping the roles to offer animals the position of viewer.
lun, 29 nov 2021
Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra has become well-known in Beaverton, Oregon, for her decision to donate her breast milk to families in need. The mother of two has hyperlactation syndrome, causing her to produce 1.75 gallons of milk a day, with 5,000 ounces stored in her freezer. Over the past three years, the prolific milkmaker has donated 700+ gallons of milk -- almost twice the world record. -- in what she describes as her "labor of love."
mer, 1 dic 2021
Pastel Palace, a tattoo and piercing studio in the United Kingdom co-founded by artists Tilly, Aurora, and Sam, is LGBTQ+, women-owned, staffed by an autistic workforce and seeks to make body modification accessible to all. Aware that neurodivergent people often feel uncomfortable patronizing traditional tattoo shops, Pastel Palace seeks to switch the dial on how a tattoo studio is expected to look and operate.
ven, 3 dic 2021
Spanish artist Cinta Tort Cantró paints on bodies with watercolors, tempera, and acrylics to change how we talk about women's bodies. Her art explores themes typically seen as taboo among women, like period stains and stretch marks, encouraging women to embrace rather than reject them -- and see how their "imperfections'' are actually beautiful.
mer, 8 dic 2021
Steven Kutcher is the Bug Man of Hollywood. An entomologist and bug wrangler, he spent decades training insects for professional work on projects including Spiderman, where he directed the spider that bites Peter Parker, to Jurassic Park, for which he provided the iconic amber-preserved mosquitos. Today, he's shifted focus to painting through "bug art" -- he dips insects' feet in non-toxic paint and encourages them to move across his canvas, leaving colorful footprints behind.
lun, 13 dic 2021
After learning that only 30% of an elephant's plant-based diet is actually digested, South African couple Les and Paula Ansley began to make and sell a craft gin infused with elephant dung -- Indlovu (Zulu for "elephant") Gin. 15% of their profits go to an elephant orphanage: HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development Trust)
mer, 15 dic 2021
Inspired by the horror musical Little Shop of Horrors, University of Ottawa biophysicist and biohacker Andrew Pelling and his tireless team turn apple slices into ears and asparagus into spinal cord implants. They hope to replace the current standard of high-cost animal products or polymers with implants made from fruits and vegetables.
mer, 22 dic 2021
Broken glass artist Simon Berger creates stunning portraits by meticulously cracking glass with just a hammer. His art, which deeply fascinates him, is intricately linked to themes of destruction, finding beauty in the broken. Simon's unique approach reveals the delicate balance between chaos and creation.
ven, 24 dic 2021
A milestone of the prenatal process is seeing your child for the first time through an ultrasound. Now, Brazilian doctor Dr. Heron Werner is making this possible for blind parents with his 3D printed ultrasounds. The tech has more than just sentimental value -- it can also aid surgical planning and help parents understand congenital defects.
lun, 27 dic 2021
Sister Tilda NexTime is the abbess of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization that combines Catholic imagery with the art of drag to bring attention to issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. They advocate for causes like safe sex, HIV/AIDS awareness, and breast cancer research.
mer, 5 gen 2022
Alkan Emin, a Toronto-based photographer, is dedicated to exploring and challenging the stigma associated with visible body scars. With a strong background in fashion, this acclaimed artist is providing individuals with a platform to share their personal narratives and experiences. Through his powerful imagery and storytelling, Alkan is not only capturing the beauty and resilience of his subjects but also fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of scars as part of the human experience.
ven, 7 gen 2022
Travis Mullins from Warsaw, Indiana creates monster puppets from food items, replete with mouths full of teeth. Sculpting from various materials - latex, clay, foam, hot glue, and taco shells, banana peels or energy drink cans - he takes the opportunity to make art that's both mesmerizing and horrifying.
mer, 12 gen 2022
Urban seed shakers Phoenix and Shalaco are passionately scattering native wildflower seeds throughout San Francisco, California, aiming to support the local butterfly and bee populations. Committed to land restoration, they firmly believe that anyone has the potential to be a gardener, no matter their background or experience. Through their efforts, they hope to inspire others to contribute to the environment and foster a deeper connection with nature.
lun, 17 gen 2022
Tom Turcich embarked on an extraordinary journey to walk around the entire world, a challenge he set for himself inspired by the loss of a close friend during his teenage years. Starting in 2015, Tom has so far traversed six of the seven continents, experiencing diverse cultures and landscapes along the way.
mer, 19 gen 2022
Ahsaki Baa LaFrance-Chachere created America's 1st Indigenous Black-owned and operated prestige beauty brand on the Navajo Nation reservation where she grew up. Her cosmetics and skincare line, Ah-Shí Beauty, is founded on principles of inclusivity - and gratitude for her Native American roots.
ven, 21 gen 2022
Italian artist Alessandro Paglia specializes in creating incredibly detailed 3D metallic pencil drawings. His artwork is so realistic that it appears to leap off the page. From skeletal sculptures that masterfully capture light and shadow, to designs that seem digitally rendered, Paglia's pieces are mesmerizing. Each drawing showcases his exceptional skill in blending traditional techniques with a modern, lifelike aesthetic.
mer, 26 gen 2022
Is ketamine misunderstood? Originally used as a horse tranquilizer, it's long been abused as an illicit party drug. But Dr. John Huber sees it differently - to him it's the future of mental health treatment, administered by a team of clinicians. Through his brainchild, TripSitter, he's working not only to integrate psychedelics into healthcare but also to bring down the cost of quality care - making new therapies more accessible to all.
lun, 31 gen 2022
Laura Dalla Vecchia, hailing from Guaratuba, Brazil, specializes in the unique art of embroidering dry leaves. What began as a spontaneous experiment blossomed into a passion for this leaf embroidery artist, who draws inspiration from the vibrant avian species native to Brazil, showcasing her intricate works that blend nature's textures with artistic finesse.
mer, 2 feb 2022
Elizabeth Sneed moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to fulfill her dream of learning how to surf. As a plus-sized woman, Elizabeth noticed that women of her size were rarely depicted in the sport, and struggled with finding the necessary confidence to get on the board every day. Sneed is now creating a body positive surfing movement, and has started teaching classes dubbed 'Curvy Surfer Girl Meetups' at the Ohana Surf School.
lun, 7 feb 2022
Founded by 21-year-old period activist Ella Lambert, the Pachamama Project aims to provide sustainable menstrual solutions to refugees. Lambert's initiative focuses on crafting reusable sanitary pads, offering both comfort and environmental consciousness amidst displacement challenges.
mer, 9 feb 2022
Puppeteer Michelle Zamora founded her full-service shop in Los Angeles, Viva La Puppet, to bring puppets to life. Many of her customized puppets have found fame themselves, having starred in TV shows and commercials. The puppet maker herself also had a voice and puppet role in Waffles + Mochi, starring Michelle Obama.
ven, 11 feb 2022
Blind and 80% deaf, Tony Giles from England made it his goal to travel to every country in the world. Despite the obstacles he's faced, he's gone sightseeing in 127+ countries and all 7 continents, aiming to inspire others - especially those with disabilities - to take risks and chase their dreams.
lun, 14 feb 2022
Pro skateboarder Darren Harper is not just mastering tricks but also passing on his passion to his daughters, 11-year-old Tink and 6-year-old Demi. Together, they bond over skateboarding, cherishing family moments while Darren mentors his girls with unwavering support and guidance, creating lasting memories on and off the board.
mer, 16 feb 2022
63-year-old artist Simon Beck makes colossal yet intricate designs on the unlikely canvas of enormous snowfields. Beck treks for hours carving with his feet, creating snow sculptures over a quarter mile long. He has carved more than 370 drawings worldwide, and occasionally also works with sand.
lun, 21 feb 2022
13-year-old Layla is part of a group who plays chess competitively. Since the second grade, Layla has immersed herself in the strategic game, finding in it not just a pastime but a powerful tool for logical problem-solving. For Layla, chess isn't merely a game; it's an escape from the monotony of everyday life, offering challenges that stimulate her mind and fuel her passion for strategic thinking.
mer, 2 mar 2022
In glass containers, Toronto-based artist James Sun skillfully crafts intricate landscapes, portraits of individuals, and iconic scenes from pop culture and renowned art, all using solely sand. His meticulous technique transforms these humble grains into mesmerizing, miniature worlds and evocative portraits, capturing the essence and detail of each subject with remarkable precision and artistry.