Epic Sand Sculptures at the CNE 2012!!!

misspulga morphing into Rowena.

Well, it's time I posted photos from the Canadian National Exhibition (long overdue, actually). They had the the most amazing sand sculptures this year... I didn't happen to catch the artist's name, so if anyone has this information could you please forward it along to me? The sculptor is insanely talented, to say the least!!! Also, please enjoy the photos I took of the rock garden, the little piglets, and a view of the midway. <3 Toronto <3

Mysteries of Vernacular: Hearse

Mysteries of Vernacular: Hearse from Myriapod Productions on Vimeo.

Check out "Hearse" - a truly epic video from the "Mysteries of Vernacular" series by Myriapod Productions. It explores the etymology of individual words in a very creative way. According to the project's website, the series will include 26 individual etymological instalments - one for each letter of the alphabet - with each episode taking more than 80 hours to complete. Thus far, four episodes have been completed: assassin, clue, hearse, and pants. Click on the link below to check out the other three episodes.

[Link to Mysteries of Vernacular project website]

A Quick Trip to The Junction in Toronto

This weekend, my Dad and brother and I went to The Junction - a neighborhood in Toronto located at Keele & Dundas. For those of you who aren't familiar with the area, check out this map of The Junction => Google Maps in order to situate yourselves. Even after living in the city as an adult for the past 10 years, I never realized that such a place existed in Toronto! It's eclectic and cool with a touch of the macabre - every bit the ideal Planet Obscura neighborhood. Below are some photos I took of shops and sights during the trip, featuring the following: Metropolis Living, Post and Beam Reclamation, The Rue Morgue House of Horror, and Smash.

Phrenology Busts @Metropolis Living

Eclectic Industrial Display @Metropolis Living

More Phrenology Busts @Metropolis Living

Close-Up of Display @Post and Beam

Window Display @Post and Beam

Inside Post and Beam

English Pub Window @Post and Beam

Forlorn Bench @Post and Beam

The Rue Morgue House of Horror

Epic Sugar Skull Display inside Smash

"Circulation" Anatomy Chart @Smash

"Nervous System" Anatomy Chart @Smash

Authentic Vintage Crime Scene Photos @Smash

Crime Scene 2

Crime Scene 1

Crime Scene 3

More Vintage Crime Scene Photos @Smash

Death Triumphant

Another epic piece of art.  Created around 1670, Death Triumphant hails from Germany, possibly Bavaria.  If you are ever in Toronto, Canada, you can visit this battle scarred, yet victorious-looking skeleton at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where it is part of their Thompson Collection.

[Link to Death Triumphant on the AGO website]

[via Art Gallery of Ontario]

Death in your living room?

I've featured one of Tom Spina's statues before (and that werewolf is still my favourite) and was back at the site browsing today when I saw this little beauty, which I think you will agree is appropriate for the SSWC blog.

Death on a Horse

This statue is life-sized and stands an imposing 8 feet tall.  Purchase it, or your own custom version, for a mere US$4999 through the link below.

[Link to Tom Spina Designs]

Seven Deadly Sins

Epic Stephen Webster's '7 Deadly Sins' Jewelry.  I think my favourite ring would be Envy.  My favorite pendant would be Anger.

[Link to Stephen Webster's website]

Atlas Obscura: Guide to Communist Mummies

Lenin's mummy.

Well, I think the title of this post pretty much speaks for itself! Do you know your communist mummies? Check them out after the jump.

[Link to Atlas Obscura's "Guide to Communist Mummies"]

Five nice ways to die

Actually, the 5 creepiest. Hmmmm, I prefer #4!

Self-mummification.

Actually, the thing I find creepiest about this, is that the article is on Cracked.com, and therefore meant to be humourous. Not funny!

[Link to the Cracked article here.]

Marianas Trench...by August Burns Red!

A little metal...a little Marianas Trench, courtesy of August Burns Red. The band ran a "make an epic music video" contest for this song, and here is the awesome fan-made result! The star of the video is Mariana, by the way, and I think we can all guess the bit about the Trench.

[Link to August Burns Red's website]

[Link to EMI Music]

How much is your body worth?

My price.

Are you worth more than me? Find out at cadaverforsale's site below.

[Link to cadaverforsale]

SSWC Botany: Carnivorous Plants

Isn't nature fascinating? :-)

Above is a video from BBC Earth that you may remember called The Secret Life of Plants. It features the Venus Fly Trap and also the Trumpet Pitcher Plant capturing and devouring their respective prey (unfortunately no time lapse insect digestion), while Sir David Attenborough narrates. You can visit the BBC Earth websites below for more stunning natural history videos!

My favourite Venus Fly Trap video is actually done by BBC One, and I've provided the link below as well for even more detailed, insectivorous glory!

[Link to Venus Fly Traps: Jaws of Death - BBC One video]

[Link to the BBC Earth website]

[Link to BBC Earth on Youtube]

The Alnwick Poison Gardens

Abandoned Morgues

Morgue at Cambridge Military Hospital, UK. Photo Copyright Don Kiddick.

O-M-G. This is almost too much to handle! Decaying morgues. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

[Link to photos]

[via Environmental Graffiti]

Who *Actually* Killed Bambi?

Classic Marv Newland.

Why, Godzilla of course! >:-)

Thanks to Ricvictorian for bringing this infamous video to our attention.