San Francisco has an amazing maker community with a strong visual bent , as seen at an event co-hosted by The Midway, Pier 70 Partners, and Marpi. From an unexpectedly beautiful laser-lit fog, to a TV (or art display) with pixels mounted a few rotating arms, to an art installation featuring the exposed structural elements of Pier 70, come with me on a journey through a few of the highlights.
Holiday Gift Edition
Products & Shows2 CommentsNixie Clocks, Wall Sculptures, & More!
2 CommentsCheck out three original and recent creations, at various stages of completion, and learn about their original seeds of inspiration: a “twisty” lamp inspired by a few conversations with an LED expert; one of the rare purely artistic pieces I’ve done as wall hangings, inspired by a beautiful parquet floor; and a Nixie clock, inspired by multiple customer conversations.
Political Rant and Call to Action
Personal Journey2 CommentsEdison Bulbs & LEDs
Technology & Steampunk4 CommentsLED bulbs have taken over, available for around a dollar per bulb at the big box stores, all the way up to a few tens of dollars at Restoration Hardware. And, as you’d expect, there are wide differences in the characteristics of those bulbs. But how did we get to point where choosing a light bulb became more complicated than just wattage & size? This article outlines what attributes really matter in choosing an LED bulb so that you can understand the jargon and marketing hype, decide whether that $1 bulb is good enough for you, and see where even a top of the line bulb falls short of our incandescent expectations.
How did we get to this point where it
Computer-Generated Circular Art
Technology & Steampunk1 CommentMy failed journey in recreating Bruce Shapiro’s amazing Sisyphus “kinetic art” table took me deep into geometric patterns - and introduced me to the art and science of mazes, which I then tweaked to apply to circular mazes. Want a maze that will stump your kids for hours in that cross-country road trip, or with enough intricacy to expand to a wall-sized print? Then this is your article.