Nexus

Created at New York's School of Visual Arts (SVA), Nexus is an absolutely stunning exploration into the most basic relationship present in the animal kingdom: Predator and prey. Directed by Ho Kwan Au & Briana Franceschini along with a dedicated team of animators, compositors, matte painters and more, the team delivered a cinematic quality production about a nocturnal confrontation between a salamander and a bat.

Absolutely loved the very ethereal sound treatment and the top notch attention to shader work and lighting, which were executed at a quality level we're quite unaccustomed to seeing from student work. You can literally feel the texture of the salamander's moist but heavily textured skin, and the translucency present in the bat's wings was executed in a very convincing way as well.  The molecular sequence that occurred at the end was pretty spectacular too. Amazing work!

Vitamina T - A Colorful Look Into Mexico's Vibrant Food Scene

There's nothing better than a taco when the hunger pangs strike, and Vitamina T is an absolutely delicious look into the world of the Mesamerican street food festival, an event that takes place annually in Mexico City during May.

Colorful, eclectic and filled with flavors for any palate imaginable, we're offered a look at the festival from the break of dawn till the late hours of night. In between those hours we witness the preparation and consumption of an incredible line up of local specialties ranging from tacos, tortas, tamalaes, tlacoyos and everything in between. In a humorous break amidst all the amazing imagery, we even get to see a squirrel enjoying a snack during the day.



Director Nanda Fernandez Berdillard did an incredible job capturing the essence of the colorful city, and it's gastronomical tendencies. I'd skip this one if you're currently hungry, it'll make things a lot worse.

Future Relic 01

Future Relic 01 is a multidisciplinary effort created by debuting director Daniel Arsham, fashion designer Richard Chai and hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz. The narrative seems to follow a futuristic archaeologist unearthing relics of our present, a visually striking apocalyptic scenario filled with plenty of symbolic imagery that is left open to the viewers interpretation.

The overarching theme here is a search for meaning in this shoreline scattered with artifacts of a long lost civilization. This white robed archaeologist emits a sense of wonder to discovering objects we would typically find mundane. Loved the ambient sound work as well, fit the surreal tone of the short film well.

Portraits Of A Sadhu

In Hindu society, a Sadhu (Also referred to as a Baba) is the title given to any abstinent monk who dedicates his life to achieving Moksa, a form of liberation that could be compared to the Buddhists pursuit of Nirvana. Photographer Jeremy Snell headed out to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to get a glimpse into the life and mentality of a Sadhu in this visually striking portrait. Wearing bright red and saffron colored clothing and face paint, these monks announce their Sanyasa, or renunciation of various worldly pleasures to help them focus on their spiritual goals.

Björk – Mutual Core

Bjork returns with her signature off kilter style, placing herself as a deity of creation in a truly incredible music video about the natural, chaotic forces of the earth, mixed with strange sexual overtones. The geological pyrotechnics of this video do not disappoint, directed by Andrew Thomas Huang. The music video was created as a team up with LA's Museum Of Conctemporary Arts for her brilliant nature themed 2011 LP, Biophilia. I've hit the replay button at least a dozen times or so to fully appreciate the visually striking marriage of her distinct sound and visuals, something that the Icelandic artist has never failed to deliver on.

The Mouse Tail

La Queue de la Souris (or The Mouse Tail) is the classic story of the food chain, and picking on those smaller than yourself. A little field mouse comes across a big, ferocious lion but instead of becoming dinner, he makes a bargain with him: He'll find him another more appetizing meal instead. I loved the simple color scheme, and angular style. It's the perfect example of "less is more".