A watch that keeps "shitty" time?

Hopefully not! MSN is reporting that the Swiss watch company Artya has designed a watch out of a dinosaur coprolite. The watch comes complete with a wrist band made from the skin from an American cane toad and will retail for $11,290 .

From the press release:

"When it comes to daring innovation, Yvan Arpa is forever ahead and sets the trend for others to follow. He sublimates controversial materials and harnesses untamed elements in his creative processes. Rust, dust, and toad skin are turned into luxury icons, while lightning furiously engraves its mark on bare steel. Today the spotlight is on coprolite. He brandishes these fossilized feces in his pioneering style, raising this paleontological curiosity to the status of a work of art.

A relic of the Jurassic period, it has taken millions of years for this organic substance to embrace its present warm and matchless tints. Designed with an understated aesthetic sense, the dial is free of indexes or any other pointless features. In its mineral aspect, it forcefully underscores the pristine strength emanating from the very dawn of life. As a true memento, it is encircled in a round case sculpted in stainless steel grade 316 or, as an affirmation to its prehistoric lineage, in bronze with its characteristic blazing hues......"

Why didn't I think of this lol! The sad thing is it is probably just a concretion ;)

Geo Sapiens exhibit

Way back in March of last year I helped to pass on information about a Geologic Art Exhibit at the Two Wall Gallery in Vashon, Washington. It sounds like the show was a success with work from around 50 earth scientist from around the world being displayed this past November. You can view images of the art work that was displayed here. The image to the left is called Trilobite Coquina by Ancil Meacham. Be sure to check out all of the beautiful art that was submitted for the show.

Greg Wessel, a Geologist and co-curator of the Two Wall Gallery, mentioned that they plan to hold another exhibit in the future:

"We plan to host another exhibit of work done by geoscientists, Geo sapiens II, later this year. In addition, we hope to coordinate similar shows at other sites across the country and possibly overseas at about the same time, and so we invite you to help with that effort and assist with the advertising and organization of geo-art shows in your neighborhood. If you are interested in participating and helping with an exhibit in your neighborhood, let me know and we'll share ideas. I can say from personal experience that it's a LOT of fun and not nearly as much work as it seems. And you get to meet a mess of people in your profession and have a few beers with them! What could be better than that?"

I really hope they will have another show. I think it would be great to see some of this cool art, while also seeing more of the wonderful paleo-art that is out there also displayed!

Art © by Ancil Meacham

Geologic Art?

Greg has asked me to pass this along. It sounds pretty cool! Let me know if any of you are thinking of submitting something. I would love to see what kinds of entry's they get. It can't get much better than geology + art!

Press Release: Two Wall Gallery, Vashon, WA
For further information, contact Greg Wessel at 206-250-2222 or email to SleepingDogCafe@aol.com

Announcement and Call for Artistic Geologists

Two Wall Gallery on Vashon Island, Washington, announces a call for artists for an upcoming exhibit entitled Geo sapiens, The Fusion of Geology and Art, to be shown during November, 2009.

The theme is centered on incorporating geologic principles or features in art, building upon the observation that earth scientists think in ways that are different from the general public but fundamental to our understanding of the universe. Works that incorporate geology to make statements regarding an issue of relevance to society are appropriate, as are works that simply celebrate geologic thought.

Works in all media are invited. Entry is open to degreed earth scientists and students studying earth science topics. You do not have to be a practicing or employed geologist to apply. All earth science professionals (geophysicists, geochemists, petrologists, paleontologists, etc) are included in our invitation.

Up to three works may be submitted as slides or on a CD. For a complete prospectus and submission directions, contact Greg Wessel at SleepingDogCafe@aol.com. Submissions will be accepted until August 1, 2009.

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Palaeo-Art Challenge

Traumador the Tyrannosaur has asked me to pass this information along:

"Based on the success of not just Brian's Boneyard carnival, and in particular the popularity of Glendon (the flying trilobites) Palaeo-Art themed boneyard it was realized there are many on the web who enjoy recreating all things prehistoric. As of such a couple of us at Prehistoric Insanity came up with the idea of starting a regular internet event (we're calling it a virtual art gallery, but basically a carnival) for the artists out there to participate in.

We're calling it ART Evolved: Life's Time Capsule, and our first theme is ceratopsian dinosaurs. This first "gallery" will be hosted over on the Prehistoric Insanity blog on March. 1st. We are looking for entries from anyone and everyone. No matter the quality or medium of their recreated horned dinosaur(s). Details are here..."

Check it out!

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Darwin Art

Ok, I give in and attempt a bit more effort for Darwin Day. All "art" below was created by yours truly at Obamicon.Me




Which is your favorite?

© ReBecca K. Hunt-Foster

Icky!

Click on image for a larger view

May your matrix be soft...

Several years ago my friend Dave Lovelace commissioned Russel Hawley (of the Tate Museum in Casper, Wyoming) to draft up their field creed for t-shirts, and the above image was the result. Dave suggested I use the image in my cafepress store, and I thought it was pretty funny so I have added it to several items there.

On a similar note, the Second Annual Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium will be held this year at the Tate Museum on Friday, June 5th (2009). The first conference, held at Petrified Forest, Arizona in 2008, was a great success! "The symposium is devoted 100% to preparation, field techniques and collections care and management. A great opportunity to learn, teach, and enjoy our profession!" The combination of field trips, workshops and presented papers was a nice format and one familiar to many of us. They are also now looking for presenters, so if you have a neat idea of something preparation or collections related think about sending in an abstract for a talk!

For additional info, contact JP Cavigelli, the Tate Geological Museum, the facebook page for the meeting, or post your questions to the SVP PREPLIST.