Thick Fog Turns Dubai into a City Above the Clouds

Dubai-based German photographer Sebastian Opitz captures the surreal and mystical look of his adopted city as fog rolls in and out at sunrise. The photographer renames the cityscape as Cloud City for the brief moments when the mist takes over and fills the empty space between the towering buildings. Optiz's images offer a serene and dreamy view of a bustling city, re-imagining it as a heavenly metropolis in the sky.

The photographer says, "I've been living in Dubai for over four years now and always dreamed of taking one of those rare shots from above the fog. This only happens on 4 - 6 days per year and when it happens it will be over by 9 AM. So one has to make sure to be up on the roof of a tower before sunrise and hope for the best." Luckily, Opitz was there to catch the magical event from high above the city on the 85th floor of the Princess Tower.

Opitz also took a time lapse video that covers a little over four hours in less than two minutes. Check that out, below.

Gorgeous Paintings of Females Experiencing Solitary Moments

Based in California, artist Clare Elsaesser has always been creative. She attended art high school and college, but has only worked as a full-time artist for the past two years. Her paintings are a stunning collection of female figures and silhouettes, either turned away from the viewer or hiding their faces behind their hair or within bunches of flowers. These many beautiful moments of quiet and reflective solitude are created with acrylics on watercolor paper or oil paints on wood panels, and later reproduced as Giclée prints.

By painting faceless figures, Elsaesser develops subjects with universal identities and allows her viewers to make connections with the subjects based on their own personal thoughts and feelings. The artist says "My paintings are inspired by daydreams, retreat, and the formidable nature outside my window." By choosing palettes of vibrant blues, greens, and yellows, the artist enhances the harmonious nature of each peaceful scene.

Unraveling Steel Ballerina Sculptures Symbolize Mortality

From a distance, these ballerina sculptures seem elegant and peaceful, a beautiful representation of a graceful dance form. However, upon closer investigation, the wire sculptures might actually send a shiver down your spine. Based in Johannesburg, artist Regardt van deer Meulen formed the figures out of steel as an illustration of the vulnerable human body. They stand larger than life as a visual contradiction between the energy and movement of a lively dancer compared to a disintegrating form that no longer breathes healthy life.

The artist says, "The human body with its strength and fragility lie at the core of this series of works, while exposing the illusion of safety in modern society." Just like a dead body decomposes in the earth, his ballerinas appear to be decomposing right before our eyes, falling apart and drifting away into nothingness. Viewers are instantly reminded of fleeting youth and the ever-lingering concept of mortality.

Awesome Game of Thrones Art Exhibition

In Austin, Texas, Mondo Gallery has been showcasing artwork dedicated to the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. The special exhibit celebrates the epic fantasy, featuring the works of some incredible contemporary artists including a submission by My Modern Met favorite Audrey Kawasaki. In addition to the original artworks being shared with audiences and fans of the show, Mondo will be digitally releasing two new posters in their exclusive poster series of 8 limited edition screen prints leading up to the third season premiere of the acclaimed series (March 31st).

The gallery held a similar exhibit in collaboration with HBO at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, which was incredibly successful. Mondo CEO Justin Ishmael says, "GAME OF THRONES is a favorite of ours at Mondo. The gallery event is intended to honor the show’s attention to visual detail and the beautiful world that George R.R. Martin has imagined and series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have brought to life. After the success of our San Diego Comic-Con initiative with HBO in 2012, we thought this was a perfect fit.  We hope the fans feel our work has done justice to the show."

If you're in the Austin area, head over to Mondo Gallery because today will be your last chance to attend the gallery show where a special brew of "Game of Thrones" beer is being served.

Top image: "Mother of Dragons" by Jason Edmiston

"Porcelain Ivory Steel" by Mia Araujo


"Daenerys Targaryen" by Craig Drake


"Margaery" by Audrey Kawasaki


"White Walker on Horseback" by Bill Sienkiewicz


"Prophecy" by Tom Bagshaw


"Tyrion Lannister" by Bruce White


"Heart Will" by Jacob Bannon


"Bran Stark" by Richey Beckett


"Jaqen Hghar" by Joao Ruas


"Little Lion" by N.C. Winters


"In the House of the Undying" by Daniel Danger

Phenomenal Photos of Japan's Recent Volcano Eruption

German photographer Martin Rietze caught a series of spectacularly breathtaking shots of a volcano, shrouded in flying lava and electrifying lightning, erupting in southern Kyushu, Japan. Rietze's photography displays Sakurajima Volcano's energetic eruption with unexpected vigor. The images present a phenomenal juxtaposition of a rain of fire and flashes of lightning sparking through a billowing cloud of black smoke.

Each photo in Rietze's collection seems more astounding than the one preceding it. The bright red and blue hues of the converging elements offer a beautiful, otherworldly look at a natural occurrence that could result in disaster. The power of the flaring molten rock and jolt of lightning is reflected in each frame.

The Japanese volcano was caught in its magnificent burst of activity between February 21st and 26th by the photographer, who actively seeks "Alien Landscapes on Planet Earth." Rietze also captured video of the stratovolcano erupting, which can be seen below.

Photorealistic Finger Paintings Full of Raw Emotion

You'll want to remember the name Paolo Troilo. A fast rising star in the art scene, the 40-year-old is known for his incredibly expressive black and white works that have a photorealistic quality about them. Of course, that's not the most interesting part. The highly energetic pieces were not created by charcoal or pastel, they were made by splattering and spreading paint on canvas using nothing but fingers. Yes, these are finger paintings.

Troilo's incredible works are just starting to garner him a lot of attention, especially in the United States. Three years ago, Gap's visual creative director, Stephen Brady, was visiting one of his stores in Milan when he just happened to walk past a gallery that held one of Troilo's paintings. As SF Gate states, "It was an exuberant piece, with photorealistic detail outlining abs, biceps and the shades of the shirt - perfect, he thought, for their new flagship store in Rome. He commissioned one with the gallerist that day."

"What Brady didn't know was that it was a finger painting."

Since then, Troilo has shown his work at major galleries across Europe and was even included in the 2012 Venice Biennale. You can learn more about this talented artist in this interview conducted by Luxetigers where he discusses his unique approach and why he focuses on male figures.

San Francisco, you're in for a real treat, as Troilo has decided to make his United States debut in your city. Through May, his works can be seen in person at COUP D’ETAT.