Snow Leopards as you’ve never seen them before
It’s Snow Leopard art but not as you’re used to it…
Ruth Marshall’s Ivy the Snow Leopard (2006) is a leopard hide, accurate in detail and size which is knitted out of colored yarn and stretched on a bamboo frame.
Ruth’s aim behind the piece is to have people consider faux pelts as a desirable alternative to the harvesting of skins belonging to endangered species. A highly noble aim, given how popular the Snow Leopard fur is.
You can see Ivy at the Knitted, Knotted, Netted exhibition at the Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton until January 24.
World’s tallest building as art and fashion
The Burj Dubai recently opened in Dubai (scene of a rather fantastic Snow Leopard Vodka party recently) and there’s been some fantastic shots and video which give you a sense of just how grand and fantastic the building is.
Curzon over at ComingAnarchy.com (and via top writer Warren Ellis) took some great pictures of the opening event. And then there’s this video of the view from the very top of the building:
Rosamond offering cheap chance for New Yorkers to see snow leopards
Rosamond Gifford Zoo is offering New Yorkers (and tourists) the chance to see snow leopards as part of their Snow Leopard Days scheme. More details over at their site Read more
Is underwear art?
Is it art when a top hollywood director is brought in for a Victoria’s Secret advert?
Coldplay/Lily Allen announce Little Noise Session Gig – Dec 19
The Little Noise Sessions normally just run in November, but Coldplay, Lily Allen and La Roux have announced a gig on December 19.
Photographer Steve Winter talks about iconic Snow Leopard pic
Steve Winter’s speaks in today’s Times about his fantastic picture of a Snow Leopard which is currently on display.
The full picture can be seen at the World Press Photo exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, London and the aforementioned Times article, which is quite interesting as it shows the challenges that face people trying to spot the elusive animal:
It took us four days to get our equipment in by horse and set up a base camp. Snow leopards are habitual: they mark locations by rubbing their necks on rocks to leave a scent, especially during the mating season. To see one, you have to find a trail: you won’t see one just walking around.
Steve’s also quite open about the challenges to taking the pictures:
This project was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done. We spent six and a half months in the valley and at night, it reached -50C (-58F). I spoke to my wife at night on the satellite phone until my hands were freezing.
We would check the cameras every one to two weeks so that we didn’t leave our scents there and put the leopards off. There was one camera with a frame that I loved, but the cats never went past it. Then one day there was this shot of a leopard in a snowstorm at night. I couldn’t have asked for better. You look at it and your jaw just drops.
Anyway, the article is well worth a read – and to see the picture in full glory. The Exhibition is on until December 13.
