Photo: goinyk/Depositphotos

Global warming is having many disastrous effects on our planet, from more intense heat waves to hurricanes becoming stronger. Recently, scientists found yet another consequence of climate change: it's slowing down Earth's rotation, slightly extending the length of a day.

Just as the melting of glaciers endangers animals and coastal communities, it has also contributed to this lengthening of the day. As the meltwater from regions such as Greenland and Antarctica flows into the oceans, its mass is redistributed closer to the equator. This changes the shape of our planet by making it thicker around the middle, leading to the Earth’s full rotation to take more time than usual.

While the change is tiny and unnoticeable to humans—it's so small that it’s measured in milliseconds—it has effects on computer systems that control financial transactions, navigation, and power grids around the world.

“Everyday life is not sensitive at the one-second level,” Judah Levine, a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, told NPR. “Technology may be, and people use technology and they don't quite realize the sensitivity.”

This finding was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and featured the work of scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ETH Zurich's Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, and the Department of Physics of the University of Alberta.

For millennia, the Moon has been the biggest influence on the length of days, exerting  a pull on Earth, causing the oceans to bulge towards it. However, climate change could become the new dominant factor, per Benedikt Soja, another author of the study. “We have to consider that we are now influencing Earth’s orientation in space so much that we are dominating effects that have been in action for billions of years,” he told CNN.

“This is a testament to the gravity of ongoing climate change,” Surendra Adhikari, another one of the authors of the study, concluded. Her reflection paints a worrying picture. “In barely 200 years,” she says, “we will have altered the Earth’s climate system so much that we are witnessing its impact on the very way Earth spins.”

Recently, scientists found yet another consequence of climate change: it's slowing down Earth's full rotation.

Photo: vladvitek/Depositphotos

As water that melts from glaciers is redistributed around the equator, the Earth becomes thicker around the middle, leading to the rotation taking more time than usual—in turn, this makes days longer.

Photo: alonesdj/Depositphotos

While the change is tiny and unnoticeable to humans, it has effects on computer systems that control financial transactions, navigation, and power grids around the world.

Photo: MichalBalada/Depositphotos

h/t: [NPR]

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READ: Scientists Discover That Climate Change Is Causing Longer Days

 

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Una publicación compartida por The Olympic Games (@olympics)

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are finally here. And while the competitions are well underway, the entire world is still buzzing about the thrilling opening ceremony. One moment in particular seemed to strike a chord with the global audience. Near the end of the broadcast, the cameras turned to the Eiffel Tower, where Canadian singer Celine Dion performed Édith Piaf's “Hymne A L'Amour.”

Wearing an elegant Dior gown, Dion fought back tears as she looked down at the crowd watching her perform from the famous Trocadero gardens, where athletes, politicians, and the media had gathered. The choice of song was a tribute to Piaf's place in French cultural history. “Hymne A L'Amour,” recorded in 1950, is a piercing love song inspired by the untimely passing of Piaf's lover, boxer Marcel Cerdan, in a plane crash.

On top of the powerful imagery, this moment held special significance. The Paris 2024 opening ceremony marked Dion's first performance in over a year following the cancelation of her Courage world tour in May 2023 amid her battle with stiff-person syndrome. This autoimmune and neurological condition causes painful spasms and makes it hard to walk, as depicted in her documentary I Am: Celine Dion. The singer first revealed her diagnosis in December 2022.

“I’m honored to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favorite cities!” Dion wrote on Instagram. “Most of all, I’m so happy to be celebrating these amazing athletes, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance. All of you have been so focused on your dream, and whether or not you take home a medal, I hope that being here means that it has come true for you! You should all be so proud, we know how hard you have worked to be the best of the best. Stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!”

You can relive Dion's soaring performance by watching the video on YouTube. To stay up to date with the singer, you can follow Dion on Instagram.

Canadian singer Celine Dion performed Édith Piaf's “Hymne A L'Amour” at the Eiffel Tower for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Céline Dion (@celinedion)

You can watch the full performance on YouTube.

Celine Dion: Instagram
h/t: [Harper's Bazaar]

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READ: Celine Dion Makes Her Grand Return With a Performance at the Eiffel Tower for the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Image: Katsushika Hokusai via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Jewelry and art go hand in hand. Some pieces are so intricate and valuable that they’re considered masterpieces—just take a look at the French Crown Jewels housed in the Louvre's Galerie d’Apollon. But in the early 20th century, French jewelry house Boucheron brought art and jewelry even closer, drawing from one of the most famous images in art history to design a tiara like no other.

The Boucheron Wave Tiara was crafted by master goldsmith Coulot in 1910. The design, believed to be built on a delicate platinum frame was inspired by Hokusai's famous woodblock print The Great Wave Off Kanagawa. Within the limits of the medium, Coulot replicated the breaking waves with successive crescents adorned with diamonds.

The top of each wave on the tiara is rendered with larger diamonds, while smaller stones serve as structure for each of the waves. Instead of going for a symmetrical design, as most tiaras do, the goldsmith goes for a dynamic look to evoke the power of the ocean. This was also achieved by the meticulous setting technique, which likely employed techniques like millegrain and tremblant.

The Boucheron Wave Tiara has been said to represent two moments in art history. The first is the interest in Japanese art that emerged in Europe after the opening of the Meiji era at the end of the 19th century, which can also be noticed in Post-Impressionism artists such as Van Gogh. The second is the influence of art nouveau—particularly its veneration of organic shapes and motifs inspired by nature—beyond canvases and into more tangible items, such as fashion and jewelry.

Little is known about the Boucheron Wave Tiara beyond its creation. Not only is there no record of the original owner, but no one knows who commissioned it from the Boucheron house either. Where it has been ever since it was finished also remains unknown. All we currently have is a black and white photograph of the object.

There is also a replica that, while it lacks many of the details of the original, allows us to get a glimpse at how the original would have looked. Should it ever appear, it would be a thrilling moment for both the jewelry and art worlds.

The Boucheron Wave Tiara, crafted by master goldsmith Coulot in 1910, was inspired by Hokusai's famous woodblock print The Great Wave Off Kanagawa.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Sue’s Gallery (@historyof.art_)

While the whereabouts of the tiara remain unknown today, you can take a close look at a replica below.

h/t: [DesignTAXI]

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READ: Opulent Tiara From Early 20th Century Inspired by Hokusai’s ‘Great Wave off Kanagawa’

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Halloween is typically when people wear costumes, but dressing up as someone or something else year-round can be a creative exercise. Just ask Anucha Saengchart, aka Lonelyman. The content creator routinely shares his funny costume ideas on Instagram. Every single pop culture character is game, but there is one unifying thread—they are all low-cost costumes, cleverly executed by whatever he has on hand. Despite the limited budget, it's really amusing to see him nail every single one.

Rather than sharing a detailed video tutorial, Saengchart shares the elaboration process for his costumes in his now-signature four-panel format. Most of the time, you wouldn't guess where his plans will lead to from the first panel, but once you see it all unravel, you'll be surprised by how he can turn household items into completely unexpected props.

Recently, the thrifty cosplayer turned into Aemond Targaryen from House of the Dragon, and it all began with him cooking some noodles. After some quick thinking, the noodles became Aemond's long white hair, and the black ladle served as the eye patch he now wears after Lucerys Velaryon slashed his face with a dagger.

Saengchart's playful imagination also propels him to turn into non-human characters, like Doge, a few Pokémon, and even a KFC chicken thigh. Sometimes, he also recruits his pet cats to join him on his costume mission, which has seen them transformed into Studio Ghibli characters and the Eye of Sauron.

To stay up to date with his quick and affordable costumes, you can follow Low Cost Cosplay on Instagram.

Anucha Saengchart, aka Lonelyman, shares his funny costume ideas year-round.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Every single pop culture character is game, but there is one unifying thread—they are all low-cost costumes, cleverly executed by whatever he has on hand.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Despite the limited budget, it's really amusing to see him nail every single one.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Rather than sharing a detailed video tutorial, Saengchart shares the process behind his costumes in his now-signature four-panel format.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Most of the time, you wouldn't guess where his plans will lead, judging solely by the first panel…

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

…but once you see it all unravel, you'll be surprised by how he can turn household items into completely unexpected props.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lonelyman (@lowcostcosplayth)

Low Cost Cosplay: Facebook | Instagram

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Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

If you are over 30, you probably remember Myspace. And if you remember Myspace, you must remember Tom, everyone's default first friend. This wasn't gratuitous, as Tom Anderson was the social media platform's co-founder. But after selling the company, Anderson began pursuing other passions, excelling in a particularly artistic one—landscape photography.

After launching in 2003, MySpace ruled the social media landscape, which prompted News Corp. to buy the company two years later for $580 million.  Anderson continued in an advisory role, finally leaving the company in 2009. With plenty of money and free time, he took the chance to travel around the world and explore his interests. But if there's one thing to know about Anderson, it's that he has been into many different things throughout his life.

“If you knew me before Myspace, you'd probably thought I'd have been a scholar teaching philosophy in a university my whole life. If you met me before college, you'd probably have thought I'd be a musician for my entire life,” Anderson told ABC News in 2014. “I like change.”

Those varied interests took him to Burning Man in 2011. While there, he took some breathtaking images despite the difficult desert conditions, inspiring him to continue his photography journey. Following the guidance of his friend, photographer Trey Ratcliff, he continued to hone his technique, developing a unique eye for shooting landscapes.

Honoring the places he visits but hoping to convey the feelings they evoke, Anderson has also become a masterful editor. “The less the camera is able to capture what you're seeing in a scene, the more editing it needs,” he explained. “I'm not necessarily trying to represent nature exactly. I'm trying to make something beautiful like a painter would.”

Up until 2018, Anderson would share his images on Instagram. But this contemporary Renaissance man seems to have moved on to a new passion–golf, serving as a brand ambassador for fashion golf brand Students. While he appears to have switched gears, his photography lives on, allowing us to dream of one day quitting everything to fulfill our creative fantasies.

After Myspace's Tom Anderson sold the company, he began pursuing other passions, excelling in a particularly artistic one—landscape photography.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

With plenty of money and free time, he took the chance to travel around the world and explore his interests.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Those varied interests took him to Burning Man in 2011, where he took breathtaking images.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Following the guidance of his friend, photographer Trey Ratcliff, he continued to hone his technique, developing a unique eye for shooting landscapes.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

To honor the places he visits while trying to convey the feelings they evoke, Anderson has also become a masterful editor.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

“The less the camera is able to capture what you're seeing in a scene, the more editing it needs,” he explained.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

“I'm not necessarily trying to represent nature exactly. I'm trying to make something beautiful like a painter would.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Up until 2018, Anderson shared his images on Instagram.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

While he appears to have switched gears, his photography lives on, allowing us to dream of one day quitting everything to fulfill our creative fantasies.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Tom Anderson (@myspacetom)

Tom Anderson: Instagram

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READ: After Selling Myspace, Tom Pursued His Passion for Landscape Photography

“Lotus”

For Tamary Kudita, photography is a vehicle for honoring people’s histories and cultural expressions. In her images, models don opulent garments that speak to the creativity and perseverance of Zimbabwe's people, many of who have had their culture and histories buried by colonization.

“Zimbabweans are resilient by nature, which informs my visual language and the themes I tackle,” Kudita tells My Modern Met.

From a conceptual perspective, she was drawn to photography by the idea of being an author. “Being able to see the beauty in the ordinary and translating that into a visual language that speaks to people really captivated me,” she shares. “From a technical standpoint, I was intrigued by the science of painting with light and capturing fleeting moments we sometimes take for granted. These elements ultimately shaped my artistic career.”

Her series, African Victorian, grew from a desire to recognize the lived truth of others. “I create suggestive worlds by placing clues about their lives and their sometimes-invented characters into the compositions,” Kudita says. “Through these fantastical portraits, I attempt to create a new literature that borrows from the artistic thought and practice of both Romanticism and Realism.

In the same way Romanticism took a metaphorical approach to art while Realism took a literal one, I portray everyday people from contemporary life in Zimbabwe, as well as larger than life heroes who exist in history.”

One of the most eye-catching elements in her photography is the outfits worn by her models, which are charged with symbolism. “The garments embody layers of significance, from their conception in the pattern-making stage to the way they are stitched together,” she shares.

Kudita works hand in hand with her designer to create the intricate designs. “My garments thus embody the idea of a future-facing image of the female identity, previously ignored but now becoming highly visible.”

By putting her heritage at the forefront, she has developed a unique visual language. “Being a Zimbabwean photographer has taught me that we have the power to reinterpret the meaning of life through a new lens,” Kudita says. “By creating a new understanding of life and existence, photography can be a social vehicle that shifts perceptions and changes in society.”

Ultimately, Kudita hopes her work will inspire viewers will be inspired to rethink photography as a medium. “I believe that photography oscillates between the documentary and the artistic: on the one hand, it is a snapshot of reality; on the other hand, it is an aestheticized construction of reality, or a metaphor,” she says. “Let's start listening to the photographs themselves. Who are these people we see? What stories do they hold? Imagine their world, their dreams. Photography tends to trick us into thinking we know everything just by looking. Digging past that first layer of narrative and looking at what else is revealed in those images.”

For Tamary Kudita, photography is a to vehicle for honoring people’s histories and cultural expressions.

“Liberty”

In her images, models don opulent garments that speak to the creativity and perseverance of the people of Zimbabwe.

“Thoughts of a Black Man”

“Zimbabweans are resilient by nature which informs my visual language and the themes I tackle,” Kudita tells My Modern Met.

“Hair Tales”

One of the most eye-catching elements in her photography is the symbolically charged outfits worn by her models.

“The Gathering”

Her series African Victorian began as a way to desire to recognize the lived truth of others.

“Body as an Archive”

“Through these fantastical portraits, I attempt to create a new literature which borrows from the artistic thought and practice of both romanticism and realism.”

“Vessel”

“My garments thus embody the idea of a future-facing image of the female identity, previously ignored but now becoming highly visible.”

“African Victorian II”

By putting her heritage at the forefront, she has developed a unique visual language.

“African Victorian”

“Being a Zimbabwean photographer has taught me that we have the power to reinterpret the meaning of life through a new lens,” Kudita says.

“Lady with Corn”

Tamary Kudita: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Tamary Kudita.

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READ: Powerful Portraits Explore Zimbabwean Identities Through High Fashion

 

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Una publicación compartida por SPORTRICOLORE (@sportricolore)

The Olympic torch relay is one of the most exciting events going into the Olympic Games. Athletes and luminaries of all ages carry the flame from Greece all the way to the host city in a display of sportsmanship and brotherhood. Among the final torchbearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics is French Paralympian Kevin Piette, who just made history as the first athlete to participate in the torch relay wearing an exoskeleton.

Piette, a Paralympic tennis player, lost the use of his legs due to a motorcycle accident in 2012. Besides pursuing this sport, he is also a “test pilot” for Wandercraft, the French company that developed the world’s first self-stabilizing walking exoskeleton, known as the Atalante X, which was designed to be used by people with disabilities.

“Wandercraft has created the first natural walking exoskeleton capable of walking autonomously without crutches,” says the company. “With the personal exoskeleton, individuals who were previously in wheelchairs will regain their mobility and be able to move freely, both at home and in their communities, maintaining their balance, hands-free, and safely.”

After arriving to the relay point in a wheelchair, Piette was propelled into the exoskeleton. He then walked carefully but determinedly, beaming as the crowd cheered for him through the Poissy city center. “It is with pride and honor that I was able to carry this flame that represents so many beautiful things,” he wrote on Instagram. “Commitment, sport, innovation, inclusion, hope, the future… I will never forget this day.”

“Kevin is the embodiment of sporting commitment, the desire for a more inclusive society and the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, with infectious energy!” reads the Olympics website. The organization commended his involvement in the development of the exoskeleton, as well as his involvement in “cybathlons”—competitions in which people with disabilities use assistive technologies to carry out everyday activities. “By carrying the Olympic Torch, Kevin inspires people to get involved in sport and promote innovation for the disabled!”

To stay up to date with the athlete, you can follow Piette on Instagram.

French Paralympian Kevin Piette just made history as the first athlete to participate in the torch relay wearing an exoskeleton.

Kevin Piette, paraplégique depuis un accident, est entré dans l’histoire aujourd’hui en portant la flamme olympique avec son exosquelette !

wandercraftofficialpic.twitter.com/HTy5MrYE6Z

— Le Média Positif (@LMPositif) July 23, 2024

“It is with pride and honor that I was able to carry this flame that represents so many beautiful things: Commitment, sport, innovation, inclusion, hope, the future… I will never forget this day.”

 

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Una publicación compartida por Wandercraft (@wandercraft.official)

h/t: [Neatorama]

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READ: Paraplegic Athlete Kevin Piette Walks With Robot Exoskeleton To Carry the Olympic Torch

 

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Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas (@missamericaks)

Beauty pageant contestants are often trained to give acute, graceful answers to the hosts' questions, reinforcing the poise they aim to convey. That's why when Alexis Smith, who was recently crowned Miss Kansas, spoke her truth, her message resonated with many people. After noticing her domestic violence abuser was in the audience, Smith called him out from the stage.

During the interview portion of the pageant, Smith was asked about her vision as the next Miss Kansas. “My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” Smith replied, addressing how she had felt throughout the evening. “Matter of fact, some of you in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today. But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas.”

Speaking to Good Morning America about that night, Smith said, “On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace. Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening.”

Smith, who works as a cardiothoracic intensive care nurse in Wichita, also shared that she had moved to Texas for a couple of years to escape from the abusive relationship. “My family, every single woman in my family, was impacted by domestic violence,” she told local television station KSN. “At the age of 14, I got in my first relationship, but it was also an abusive relationship that I was in until about 2018, 2019. It’s something that I’m still experiencing and dealing with today.”

Empowered by her win, she has now launched a community service initiative called Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships to encourage others to find support. “To everyone watching that has experienced domestic violence, you are strong, this is not your fault, and you have the ability to take the lead,” she says.

Smith will compete as Miss Kansas in the Miss America pageant in January 2025. In the meantime, you can follow Smith on Instagram to stay up to date with her Respect Reclaimed program and her ventures as Miss Kansas.

This is Alexis Smith, who was recently crowned Miss Kansas.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas Organization (@misskansasorg)

After noticing her domestic violence abuser was in the audience on the night she was crowned, Smith called him out from the stage.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas Organization (@misskansasorg)

Watch her empowering message below.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Miss Kansas (@missamericaks)

Alexis Smith: Instagram
h/t: [AP]

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Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Just in the first quarter of 2024, the city welcomed 25,700 new residents. Aware of the needs of a growing population, URB, an urban planning and development firm, recently unveiled the Dubai Green Spine project, which aims to turn one of the city's major arterial roads into a “multifunctional public realm” as a way to improve all city dwellers' quality of life.

Pitched as the “World’s Greenest Highway,” Dubai Green Spine will transform Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311) into a multimodal corridor. The plan envisions bike paths, walking trails, community amenities, commercial and recreational spaces, and, most notably, a line of 100% electric trams supported by 300 MW of clean solar energy, as well as space for 1 million trees in interconnected green areas along the urban corridor.

“The Dubai Green Spine isn’t just about transit; it’s about transforming how cities function, making them more livable and human-centric,” states Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB. He adds, “It challenges conventional infrastructure norms, proving that our streets can do more than facilitate car traffic; they can significantly enhance quality of life. This project exemplifies the profound impact thoughtful, integrated urban planning can have on a city’s health and vibrancy.”

This massive infrastructure project doesn't aim to fix all the challenges posed by Dubai's growth, but rather alleviate many of them with a sustainable approach. The parks that frame and cover the 64-kilometer route are meant to mitigate the heat island effects by providing shade and air, while the walking and bike paths will connect neighborhoods to foster “20-minute cities” where every need can be fulfilled by a 20-minute walk. The plan also proposes the construction of cultural and commercial hubs.

The Dubai Green Spine aligns with the city's Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which anticipates the city’s growth to nearly 8 million residents. By providing infrastructure with people from all walks of life and many of Dubai's sprawling areas in mind, the plan marries urban development with an environmental endeavor to help a city with unique weather challenges due to its hot arid climate.

In the long run, the Dubai Green Spine could not only become the city's lush heart but also a model for other cities as they deal with their own issues. After all, this project goes to show that many realities can be true: infrastructure can be built without further damaging the ecosystem, communities can be brought closer together rather than torn apart by sweeping projects, and, above all, bringing nature in is not only a way to beautify our cities, but also make them more livable for years to come.

URB, an urban planning and development firm, recently unveiled the Dubai Green Spine project.

It aims to turn one of the city's arterial roads into a multimodal corridor.

The plan envisions bike paths, walking trails, and community amenities, as well as commercial and recreational spaces.

Most notably, it features a line of 100% electric trams supported by 300 MW of clean solar energy, as well as space for 1 million trees in interconnected green areas along the urban corridor.

URB: Website

All images via URB.

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READ: Dubai’s Will Boast the “World’s Greenest Highway” With 100% Solar-Powered Trams and a Million Trees

 

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Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

They say one man's trash is another man's treasure. For Brazilian sculptor Michel Torres Costa, discarded metal scraps–particularly smaller parts like nuts and bolts—are sources of inspiration and serve as unexpected materials for his art. Using pieces that were otherwise headed to a landfill, he creates formidable metal sculptures that evoke strength and resourcefulness.

Torres Costa's artistic journey began when he was only 15 years old and working as a welder. Since he had always been a fan of art, he found that sculpting could provide him with a creative outlet to the monotony of his job. This led him to discovering epoxy resin, a medium that allowed him to refine traditional techniques, and prompted him to take modeling and molding courses.

After five years, he went back to where it all started—his brother-in-law's mechanic's shop. This time, he picked apart motorcycle crowns, chains and ratchets. And so, his first metal sculpture, a horse, was born. “Since then, all the metals used in the works have been found in scrapyards and mechanical workshops,” Torres Costa's artist statement explains.

Speaking about his choice of material, the artist told EuroNews, “I always look for something that refers to a face, an eye, a mouth, a nose. I like pieces that make the work more organic, which are the smaller pieces, such as nuts and bolts, washers.” But to him, there's room for every kind of scrap in art. “Everything that a person thinks is garbage can be transformed into something with meaning and transformed into art, with beauty, giving a new face to a material that would never be used again, or would be rolling around, polluting our world.”

Torres Costa's sculptures encapsulate human and animal figures, as well as mythological themes, imbuing each piece with a steampunk aesthetic. His use of metal pieces make them look less like scrap and more like tiny dark tiles that have come together in one sweeping composition. There's no denying that the artist has breathed new life into the discarded materials.

While his work can be found in galleries and private collections, they could also easily be dark pieces of home decor. His work can even seamlessly be integrated in sci-fi films or perhaps a villain's upscale lair. The possibilities are endless for these creations which would have otherwise wound up in a garbage heap.

To stay up to date with the resourceful sculptor's creations, you can follow Torress Costa on Instagram.

Artist Michel Torres Costa uses scrap metal that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill to create formidable metal sculptures.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

Torres Costa's sculptures encapsulate human and animal figures, as well as mythological themes, imbuing each piece with a steampunk aesthetic.

@micheltorrescosta Metal arte, um pouco das minhas esculturas. #art #metal #weld #soldador #artist #metalart #metalsculpture #artgallery #gallery #escultura #sculpture ♬ Valence Satisfaction Showmusik Dance Remix – Showmusik

His use of metal pieces make them look less like scrap and more like tiny dark tiles that have come together in one sweeping composition.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

While his work can be found in galleries and private collections, they could also serve as decor in stylized films—whether it be part of a sci-fi movie set or a supervillain's upscale lair.

@micheltorrescosta Um pouco das artes que rolaram aqui esses últimos meses. #art #sculpture #metalsculpture #artista #metalart #welder #artist #sculptureart #arte #soldador #artwork #micheltorrescosta #metalarte #escultura ♬ Turn Down for What – DJ Snake & Lil Jon

“I always look for something that refers to a face, an eye, a mouth, a nose. I like pieces that make the work more organic, which are the smaller pieces, such as nuts and bolts, washers.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

“Everything that a person thinks is garbage can be transformed into something with meaning and transformed into art.”

@micheltorrescosta Saindo um tigre ! #artist #art #sculpture #arte #metalarte #micheltorrescosta #artista #escultura #metalart #escultura #tigre #tiger ♬ Panther – Emmett Zetto & Talentless

 

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Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

@micheltorrescosta E ele vai ganhando vida! #escultura #art #artwork #sculpture #arte #artist #metalarte #esculturademetal #welder #artista ♬ original sound – Joe_Cramer

 

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Una publicación compartida por Michel Torres Costa (@micheltorrescosta)

Michel Torres Costa: Website | Instagram | TikTok

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READ: Artist Turns Bolts, Nuts, and Other Scrap Metal Into Strikingly Detailed Sculptures