0 The 2015 RUSSIAN POLITICAL SATIRE CALENDAR By Andrei Budaev

Budaev has a workshop in Moscow near the
downtown Ulitsa Maroseika. | Vladimir Filonov / MT

He make have a sleepy look to him but Andrei Budaev, who is in his late 40s, dress simply but speaks quickly. He has been doing political caricatures for almost 20 years, since the Yeltsin era and is best known for his recreations of classical painting, mainly Russian, with faces of political figures crafted onto them.

"Not one work of art is protected from him in the history of humanity," German news magazine Der Spiegel sardonically commented a few years ago.

Budaev told Der Spiegel that "I bring our politicians back to earth. I want them to understand that they're not gods."

 Photos by budaev

0 The MULTIFUNCTIONAL "S-POT' STONEWARE COLLECTION By Maddalena Selvini

Combining warmth – both physically and aesthetically. Maddalena Selvini has created a set of pots and objects that can be piled together on the same fire for cooking or warming up the stones. “Pietra Ollare”, is the material being used, which is specific soapstone from Valtellina, Italy. Each piece is handmade according to, as she puts it, an old craft that is slowly being forgotten.

These pots are naturally lubricated (from the talco), which not only feels nice to the touch but also keeps its warmth for a long time. Maddalena also states on her site:

For this reason these pieces can be spread around the house as warm objects for the body. Because of the properties of this stone I could use the sand left over by the lathe to create a new kind of stoneware and glaze. Therefore nothing gets wasted and plates, cups and teapot become part of the S-POT. With this project I hope to bring the intimate feeling of a stove back into our homes.

0 A SAUNA LIKE NO OTHER - THE CANADIAN GROTTO SAUNA By Partisans

Designing and building a grotto, (any type of natural or artificial cave), is not unusual, but designing and building a grotto that's also a sauna, being close to water and dealing with a prehistoric large-scale rock formation, well, that takes a bit more research, planning... and skill.

Using state of the art 3-D technology to scan, model and build this sculpted grotto, a local design studio, Partisans, was able to create this free-standing structure that not only blends with its elements, but would respect and mature with it as well.

Now, perched on a private island north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, a beautifully sculpted space now exists to create a sensual experience for its owners.

All images courtesy of Partisans.