¿Photo-Shopped?

So what about this photo is shopped, exactly? Essentially everything because it isn't really a photograph. This image is actually a digital painting created by Bert Monroy. The scene was entirely recreated from scratch using only Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and took Monroy nearly one year complete.

Other details:

• The image size is 40 inches by 120 inches.
• The flattened file weighs in at 1.7 Gigabytes.
• It took eleven months (close to 2,000 hours) to create.
• The painting is comprised of close to fifty individual Photoshop files.
• Over 500 alpha channels were used for various effects.
• Over 250,000 paths make up the multitude of shapes throughout the scene.
• Taking a cumulative total of all the files, the overall image contains over 15,000 layers.

Epileptic Video Art

Eric Wareheim is not an unfamiliar name to television viewers. However, many have no idea that he is also a talented video artist. Like Michel Gondry and Chris Cunningham, Eric has been approached by numerous musical artists to produce music videos. Due to his unique visual style, Eric's videos are often simultaneously disturbing and entrancing.

Flying Lotus - "Parisian Goldfish"

Sea Creatures Get New Life With Fresh Air

Often resembling arthropods and crustaceans, Jason Hackenwerth's balloon sculptures are more complex than a cheap party trick. Using ordinary balloons, he twists and ties several layers of balloons to form these temporary pieces of art that are dazzling and occasionally interactive.

Liquid Construction

The newest addition to the Chicago skyline is the Aqua tower. Designed by Loewenberg Architects and Studio/Gang/Architects, this piece of construction is unusually complicated. To achieve the ripple effect, each floor plate was uniquely constructed meaning that each unit is different from the next. The most interesting feature is that Aqua truly resembles waves while cast against the clear blue sky.

Disposable Art

Cheeming Boey is not your typical artist. But then again, what self-respecting artist would admit to such a claim. Unlike traditional artisans who favor more conventional canvases and mediums, Boey creates his masterpieces with nothing more than a Sharpie and a Styrofoam cup. The idea seems so simple, but the results are more stunning than one would imagine. Now that latte will feel like a bargain at $5.45.

Cloud Crashing

True to its name, "Cloud" is a sofa concept that not only looks the part, but also makes you feel like you are weightless. Designed by D.K. & Wei, the sofa is magnetically supported by the lower base causing the upper cloudy cushion to float free on its own.

Sound-Proof Chair?

Though designed for visual rather than aural purposes, Rethink's Foam Chair screams innovation. The chair was designed by Anna Gukov and Amanda Huynh (Emily Carr Industrial Design) using sound insulation foam that is good enough to top your mattress.