Secret Still

I have spent the better part of a day pouring over the clever maps of Andrew DeGraff, and simultaneously reliving some pivotal moments of my childhood. DeGraff has created works of art that track the paths of characters through the Indiana Jones and Star Wars films. Beyond their cleverness and beauty, the real magic of these maps is that they follow something deeper and more meaningful than just actors in a film; they bounce around to all the emotions I felt as a kid watching those movies. I can feel my hands clench as something daring and exciting happens, and I’d say that speaks highly to both the movie and the artwork. Here’s a film saga that was so real to me as a child that it still resonates with me on an emotional level when I relive it. And here’s a map that’s so accurate and intuitive that I can’t help but relive each scene of my favorite films. Andrew DeGraff, I am high-fiving you so hard right now.

Andrew DeGraff

Things are shaping up to be kinda hectic today, as in a non-stop rush from sunup to sundown, so it’s nice to have the calming effects of Paul Davies’ work to soothe my frazzled nerves periodically throughout the chaos. Technicolor dreams of modern architecture, dripping with cool and an abstract nature that gives a nice depth, the kind of depth I can stare into and find my focus redirected internally. I would give a great deal of something, money if I had it, more likely jam and pickles because I have so much of it, to just be able to sit quietly in a big, echoey museum room and look at one of his works. That’s my satori. And it’s worth all the homemade canned goods I can muster.

Paul Davies

It’s Friday and for the first time in 14 years I can see clearly without glasses or contacts. To celebrate seeing things that weren’t seen before, I figured I would start off with a post about what is possibly the most incredible work of crafstmanship that I have ever seen. I am absolutely not exaggerating. Architect Eric Clough was hired to renovate an $8.5 million Park Ave. apartment. At first glance his work is impeccable. It probably wasn’t until the 103rd glance that the family that lives in the apartment noticed that Cloughs had secretly built a scavenger hunt into their home. Using hidden panels, hidden keys and sequenced keyholes, a magnetic cube, and (my personal favorite) door knockers which fit together to make a crank, Clough created a magnificent puzzle that was hidden in the walls and furniture of the apartment. I mean, Jesus Christ, have you ever heard of anything cooler than that? And he didn’t tell them about it! That’s what’s so awesome. He just put it there and then let them find it in their own good time. Who wouldn’t want to invite their friends over to the giant game of Myst that they live in? The only sad part is that once the mystery is solved, it’s over forever. Unless of course there’s another hunt built underneath the first. I would just about tear that place apart to find out.

Scavenger Hunt Home

I’d say that one of the things that I’m most proud of in my life is my brain. It never ceases to amaze me with all the things it can do, the lessons it’s learned, and the ways it allows me to experience the world. It’s nice to know that I have most if not all of the 10 Habits of Highly Effective Brains. Now I need the 10 habits of highly effective lovers and the 10 habits of highly effective skateboarders and I’m set.