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.

0 The ART of FRUITS AND VEGGIES SKATEBOARDING THROUGH THE KITCHEN By Benoit Jammes

Really cool and unique illustrations of fruits and vegetables skateboarding through a kitchen comes to life by Paris-based artist, Benoit Jammes. This 'skitchen' series, so aptly called as a result of compromising the words skate and kitchen, has potatoes, tomatoes and various produces showing of their skateboarding skills whether it be jumping into the sink or traversing some edges. Too bad we can't say the same for the unfortunate tomato!

skateboarding fruits and veggies put the pro in produce

0 The "SUPER FLEMISH" SERIES By Sacha Goldberger

What if Superman was born in the sixteenth century?
And what if the Hulk was a Duke?
How might Van Eyck have portrayed Snow White?

All images ©Sacha Goldberger

This art project took Sacha Goldberger 2 years (and with the aid of 110 people - including look-alike models and costume makers), to create, and the results are magnificent! The costumes are incredibly detailed and vibrant, and seeing Iron man or even Superman adorn in 17th century 'dresses', perplexes the mind in the most interesting yet positive of ways. Wolverine doesn't look as threatening anymore...

0 PAMPSHADE: REAL BREAD LAMPS By Yukiko Morita

Loafs of bread and buns always signify warmth and comfort so creating a warm light from breads, we though, was an ingenious idea! Enter the Pampshade.

Back in 2006, Yukiko Morita, a teenager at the time, realized her love for bread and yeast when she got a part-time job working at a small bakery in Kyoto.

“I love bread. Bread is cute,” she says. “I want to display it in my room and stare at it.”  But of course, you can only keep bread in your room for so long before it starts to 'decay'. So, Morita set to work on creating a bread prototype that could double as an interior design.