High dive

How breathtaking is this framed triptych photograph of U.S. diver Patricia McCormick doing a springboard high dive at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics? (She won the gold.) Can you imagine this hanging in a home? Beautiful.

(Via Lonny)

Vintage ads

Oh my goodness, these vintage ads are jawdropping. (One ad actually says, "Men are better than women!") Can you believe these are from just a few decades ago? Our grandparents might have considered them normal!

More below...
Read more »

RedBall Project

For the past six years, artist Kurt Perschke has squeezed a huge red ball into cracks, gaps and alleys all around the world. The red ball has visited cities like Barcelona, Chicago, Toronto and Sydney, and it's now heading to England for the summer! (Reminds me of this children's story, do you remember it?)

(Via Apartment Therapy)

The Venus Project

In her Venus project, Italian artist Anna Utopia Giordano gives the goddess of love a Photoshop makeover. She takes famous paintings of Venus and slims bellies (and increases busts) to fit today's standards of beauty. Fascinating, don't you think? These images make me appreciate the sensuality of curvy hips.
(Via Flavorwire)

Paintings vs photographs

The Remake project challenged art students to remake famous works of art, using photography. Aren't they compelling?
(I found this remake of "The Artist's Mother" by Whistler to be really touching.)

(Via Leigh)

NYC Dates: Guggenheim and Meatballs

Since I did my Guide to New York City, a few readers have asked for more New York recommendations, and I'd love to share some ideas. So! I'm thinking of starting a new series of NYC dates, featuring activities to do with friends or crushes around town. What do you think? Does that sound fun/interesting/relevant to you? I hope you enjoy it, and I'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations, too. (We're always looking for offbeat date nights.) First up...
Have you ever been to the Guggenheim? Alex and I went...
Read more »

Haiku traffic signs

New York City has launched a new set of traffic signs--written in haiku poems. They're designed to encourage people to be more sensitive and share the street. Genius.

P.S. Bike rush hour, and 10 ways not to look like a tourist.

(Via NPR)

Engaged to Prince William

How rad is this interactive exhibit by Jennifer Rubell in London? A wax sculpture of Prince William stands in the pose he struck at his engagement announcement. On his sleeve lies a replica of the sapphire engagement ring he gave Kate Middleton, so, when you visit the gallery, you can step onto the pedestal, slide your arm through William's, and slip on the ring. Would be trippy to pretend for just a moment, and see what it felt like!

(Via My Modern Met)

Leaning Tower of Pisa

What clever framing. (And remember this?:)

(By Moritz Frei, via Pennyweight)

The New Museum: A playground!

Don't you love interactive museum exhibits? This morning, Alex and I swung by the New Museum's amazing new exhibit, Carston Höller: Experience, which has transformed the museum into a grown-up playground. First, we rode a mirrored carousel, where you sit on swings and rotate slowly, while listening to actual birds singing. It was incredibly relaxing, and you felt like you were five years old.
See the mobile of chirping birds? Now, see the top of the slide?
Fascinated by the themes of childhood, safety, love and doubt, Höller built a 102-foot-long slide that runs from the museum's fourth floor to the second floor.
Naturally, Alex was braver and went first.
Down he goes!
Butterflies in my stomach, I went next. The guide told me to put my hands in my lap...
...and tuck my feet into the canvas sack seat.
Whoosh! The slide was FAST with twists, turns and blinking lights. You basically fly out of the tunnel at the end; I definitely screamed! :) What a trip!
The exhibit also has a sensory deprivation tank, in which you float weightlessly and have an out-of-body experience...
...and upside-down goggles, which make you see the world (you guessed it) upside down.

What a fun exhibit; I'd highly recommend going by. See more here. xoxo

P.S. Look at Höller's slide at the Tate Modern!

(Glasses photo courtesy of The New Museum; tank photo by Katie Sokoler/Gothamist; all other photos by us)