Glow shift: Scientists and designers are exploring natural light from glowing organisms as a gentle, power-free way to brighten cities. Bioluminescence, found in ocean creatures and insects, gives off a soft blue or green light through a built-in chemical process. Some urban projects have already started experimenting with bacteria that give off light in carefully maintained setups. This approach could cut energy use and reduce light pollution by working without wires or electricity. The soft glow doesn’t overpower surroundings, making it more in tune with natural darkness. Although current designs need more development to match everyday lighting demands, they’re already hinting at a gentler path forward.
Miniature mastery: A sculptor in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, transforms everyday pencils into impossibly small works of art. Rather than drawing with them, he uses the inner graphite as the material itself, carefully slicing, scraping, and refining it into intricate shapes. The ideas come from a mix of client suggestions, famous imagery, and the artist’s own reflections. Because the core is brittle and narrow, each piece demands patience and precision. Earlier explorations with paper and clay helped shape his passion for tiny creations. Now, each pencil becomes a test of focus, endurance, and problem-solving. The results often defy what most people expect from such a basic object.
