Sandpit

I recently watched Sam O’Hare’s ‘Sandpit’ video, where over 35,000 still images were transformed using the ’tilt/shift’ tool in Photoshop and woven together to create an incredible miniature perspective of New York. If you haven’t seen it, check it out! The project itself is incredible, but the music choice, by Human, brings the movie to life. When showing the video to a group of friends one person rolled their eyes with disapproval. When I asked what was wrong, the person proceeded to ask ‘what’s so cool about this?’ and ‘why would anyone waste so much time on something like this?’I wouldn’t say that my blood began to boil, but if I was Bruce Banner, The Hulk would have tossed her out my fourth story window.

This video is incredible because it takes such a unique perspective to viewing such an iconic city. People say New York is the biggest city in the world, but the Sandpit shows it’s all about how you look at it. I’ve only lived in New York for a few weeks, but I’m already realizing this island isn’t that big. Sure the building tower over the streets, and the subways get packed like sardines during rush hour, but you still run into people who you know when you least expect it. There are still strong communities everywhere you look. Sandpit’s creativity rests in its ability to alter the common perspective, and show the city in a new way. Sandpit isn’t branded, it’s not trying to sell anything, it’s not overstepping its purpose. It’s a creative project that caught people’s attention because it’s unique and well executed. I’d never call a creative project like this a waste of time. I’d call it a breath of fresh air. Creativity for creativity’s sake is still very much alive. We need more Sandpits.