Blog # 10

Recently, I've taken a look at a series of photographs taken by photographer, Kevin Van Aelst.  A lot of his works feature him taking pictures of quite ordinary things and defamiliarizing them in such a way that makes them look very interesting.  


Take, for example, this picture of a roll of tape made to look like the ocean with sharks swimming around in it.   

http://www.kevinvanaelst.com/photoocean.html

   
As well, he also takes a few photos that I'm not all too entirely sure what they are or what they mean., but I guess art is up to interpretation.  Anyway, I'm always quite impressed when I see pictures like these because it amazes me how people are able to look at one simple thing and see something else that is completely unrelated.  I'll admit, I don't have the most creative mind so I personally find it difficult to see these sorts of things in everyday objects.  But seeing these pictures makes me want to try more often to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary.  

Blog # 9

The Sears Tower unveiled, in the summer of last year, their 103rd floor balconies.  Now, this may seem boring but these aren't just any old balconies 103 floor above ground.  These balconies are made of one-and-a-half inch thick glass. 



Supposedly, the glass balcony can support up to five tonnes and was inspired by the forehead prints left behind on the windows of the sky deck from visitors wanting a better view of the city.  The people who have visited the site say that taking the first step out onto the balcony was the hardest step.  However, one gets used to it after venturing out a few times. 

I think that this is a neat way to test people's comfort zones.  See how courageous you are or how well you are able to deal with heights.  Or, you know, just a great way to get a small thrill in people's normally average and mundane lives.  It seems like a fun addition to an already iconic tower.  I also like that it's different and exciting.

 I think would like to visit this balcony in the future, maybe even take a step or two onto the glass floors.