Sci-Fi Science + Michio Kaku = A Stellar Civilization
Michio Kaku opened the preface of his latest book, Physics of the Impossible, by quoting Albert Einstein: “If at first an idea does not sound absurd, then there is no hope for it.” Besides being a popularizer of science, theoretical physicist, highly regarded futurist, best-selling author and the co-founder of the String Theory, Kaku is working on Einstein’s last, unfinished work of uniting the four fundamental forces of nature into one theory of everything. I asked him how that was going over the weekend at the taping for his internationally acclaimed TV show, “Sci-Fi Science: Physics of the Impossible,” for Discovery’s Science Channel. He said, “we just need to connect the sparticles with the dark matter and it’s done…maybe tomorrow…!” I love Kaku’s contagious positive outlook, unparalleled foresight and ability to masterfully weave it all together; besides that—his charm and uncanny ability to shed light on the grey areas of our universe has made him the leader of the science being cool again pack. For this episode, Kaku spoke about how to fend off asteroid and comet impacts and how we can and must become a stellar civilization.
Today we go shoot’n (way) up with Michio Kaku and his stellar crew:
Thanks to Michio, Discovery and the all-star cast for a surreal shoot and for the invitation to come aboard their astral ship.
Keep’n it futuristic,
~Nitsirk
Going For A New Shade Of Green
If your looking to go more green for spring add some offbeat teal or mint hues into your mix. Fresh off the streets of New York and Montreal:
Keep evolving ~
Nitsirk
To Mars with Buzz Aldrin
With a knowing gleam in his eye and a sure spring in his step (despite recently losing his space on “Dancing with the Stars”), Buzz Aldrin will always be one of America’s most awe-inspiring heroes. The man of the hour at the annual Space Tourism Society of New York’s Yuri’s Night bash, Buzz showed off his brilliant new iphone app — Buzz Aldrin Portal to Science & Space Exploration. Its many features include his take on spacewalking, audio from onboard Apollo 11, live NASA streaming TV, updates on Twitter feeds from astronauts and private space ventures. I was over the moon while talking with Buzz about his plans for getting us to Mars, which he insists is our “next big step,” and part of what he’ll be advocating at President Obama’s Space Summit this Thursday, April 15th.
Fasten your astral seat belts as we go shoot’n (way) up!
Yuri’s night celebrates the first human, Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, to travel to outer space and orbit the earth on April 12th, 1961. I have an original NASA flight suit from the STS-1 space shuttle mission from exactly 20 years later to the day that I put on for the occasion.
Besides being bedazzled by Buzz, Yuri’s Night offered plenty of space eye candy with various takes on what one might wear in space. The evening was topped off with a swimwear show and stellar performances by the sci-fi/Middle Eastern/punk band Consider the Source and the New York Jedi.
fashion architect: Raya Ani
All space swimwear by Keriann Correia for Bombshell Clothing + all headgear by Edith & Ivy.
We may have a ways to go to get to Mars, but with Buzz on our side, it’s just on the horizon.
Keep’n it futuristic,
Nitsirk
Space Tourists Unite
“It is remarkable to think that we are on the verge of another new era of space travel and one which will be wholly different to anything that has gone before. My dream is to make space travel accessible to tens of thousands of people.” This is how Sir Richard Branson starts his foreward in the book Destination Space: how space tourism is making science fiction a reality by Kenny Kemp. Branson is well on his way to actualizing his dream as Virgin Galactic‘s VSS Enterprise just completed her inaugural captive carry flight a couple of weeks ago. Virgin Galactic has already got several people lined up—more than 330 aspiring astronauts have reserved or put deposits down on a $200,00 seat. Test flights are planned through 2010 with commercial space flights starting in 2012.
Photo: Mark Greenberg
The first organization formed to focus on space tourism with the goal of expanding humankind into space is the Space Tourism Society. If you have aspirations to be in the astronaut number, I recommend becoming a STS member and attending one of their worldwide Yuri’s Night parties to celebrate the first human into outerspace, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The STS’ New York’s chapter will host a stellar bash in conjunction with The Space Frontier Foundation on Saturday night, April 10th:
Raising the Space Tourism bar along with Virgin Galactic and the Space Tourism Society of New York *photo: Stuart Rae
One of my spacewear prototypes that won a competition sponsored by the Space Tourism Society of New York:
Ready for takeoff in Virtual Daughter Spacewear by Nitsirk *photo: Carly Sioux* http://paparazza.net
Some space inspired pedestrians:
Geometric helmet by Thomas Robinson jr. (age 12)
Comme des Garçons
Anonymous space fashion victim
A fresh Princess Leia at Barneys in leather hooded shrug
Fur trimmed jumpsuit by Givenchy
Keep on shoot’n for the moon and beyond (the price will come down)!
XO,
Nitsirk
Next Stop Wonderland
Fresh from seeing Tim Burton’s fantastical depiction of Alice in Wonderland in 3D, I’ve noticed a sort of wonderlandization phenomena in effect on the streets of New York City. Today’s flight of fancy may seem like visiting a dreamworld, but it’s actually proof of the wonderland among us.
I hope you enjoyed this dreamy segment of shootnup and be sure to take notice of the magical wonderland all around you.
Shoot’n on up,
~Nitsirk
The Black Sheep
Black on black is the new black on the streets of NYC. While this time of year is often about embracing a lighter palette, this spring consider going to the dark side.
A fresh noir continuum is achieved by intercepting it with edgy shoes and accessories that make a statement.
Shoot’n ‘em up,
Nitsirk
Pretty in Punk
Today we’re shootnup a delectable dose of punk with a twist of pretty on top. Punk is again springing forward on the streets of New York from Harlem to Williamsburg with a decidedly happy overtone. This time round lookout for punk princesses, warriors and punks morphing with sci-fi creatures from the circus creating a nouveau look dubbed “weird punk.”
moi printemps métamorphose
mastermind hair sculptress: Janaan at Shampoo Avenue b
I couldn’t resist punk’n it up a bit for spring! I call the colour cherry blossom on acid.
Keep it pretty ~
Nitsirk
Like Birds of a Feather
Spring is the most exciting time for fashion.
Chickadee in Central Park
- This season inhibition and utility go by the wayside and in steps authenticity and ingenuity. Layered patterns, textures and contrasting color combinations are topped off with clever placements of DIY embellishments.
Flocking together in New Orleans
LOVE the dream catcher touch in Harlem
Key colors
New Orleans flair
Now for a departure on a flight of fantasy to the town of the Big Easy where the feathers fly and beads descend from the sky like rain during Mardi Gras. A side of the New Orleans celebration and tradition that is unknown to many, besides the town locals, is the Mardi Gras Indian ceremony and parade. Their tribe formed with the native Indians during some of the worst racial segregation in the south, as they enabled many slaves to escape. To pay respect the Mardi Gras Indian tribe marches, dance and sings in out of this world costumes that often take a full year to make.
I had to dress up for the occasion! Mask by Holsum Prizzm
Painting the Crescent City red
I hope this has inspired you to be ultra creative this season! More hot looks to come from NYC.
Enjoying the ride—
Nitsirk
PS) I just discovered The New York Times is featuring an interesting article about the Mardi Gras Indians too — check it: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/us/24orleans.html
— Go collective consciousness!
Swing’n Into Spring
Happy Springtime!
This season it don’t mean a thang—if you ain’t got that swing.
This time ’round we’re shootnup a dose of the nouveau jazz age in effect via a Dances of Vice soirée held in Brooklyn, NYC. Their decadent monthly parties are like time traveling to a ’20s underground speakeasy in Paris or Weimar Berlin or the ’30s in Shanghai. The revival of these bygone eras is particularly hot in London, Berlin and New York among 20 and 30somethings embracing the music, dancing and demeanor of that golden generation. Mark your agendas for Dances of Vices’ next shindig, Shanghai Mermaid on March 27th at the Ret Lotus Room in Brooklyn (http://www.shanghaimermaid.com)
Take in all the spectacles — as we go shootnup into a glorious spring — Enjoy the ride!
For a musical joyride check out the video below of an edgy new jazz age big band from the UK, the Gentle Mystics. I was fortunate to be on hand at their underground swing’n show and after party jam in London. See if you can spot me bepobing in the crowd next to my dear friend, TomTom with the white painted face.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=102711696
Keep on swing’n!
~Nitsirk
Southern (dis)Comfort
Today we’re shoot’n up via a launch pad on Louisiana’s countryside. There I was greeted with overwhelming southern hospitality and charm and was given an enduring gift of a new tat to mark this pivotal occasion. The spaceship is inspired by Fritz Lang’s vision for the film “Frau im Mond” or “Woman in the Moon.”
Enjoy the backwoods ride —
Cruising the French Quarter, New Orleans
Rural Southern Charm:
They have a knack for kitschy mobile home pond art
sweet pets
and exotic birds
Presentation of launch gift
a nice dose of southern discomfort
brought on euphoria
and momentous inspiration.
Tattoo artist: Emily Harris
Gift generously given by Holsum Prizzm
The tat artist let's off some steam.
Keep shoot’n on up!
— Nitsirk
