Students from St Andrew's University indulge in a tradition of covering themselves with foam to honour the “academic family” on October 20, 2014, in St Andrews, Scotland. Every November the “raisin weekend” which is held in the university's Lower College Lawn, is celebrated and a gift of raisins (now foam) is traditionally given by first year students to their elders as a thank you for their guidance and in exchange they receive a receipt in Latin. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Last year around this time, Zuzia Kozerska of Valek Rolling Pins (previously) practically set the internet on fire with lasers, more specifically her laser engraved rolling pins that imprint different patterns in cookie dough. Kozerska has been hard at work creating increasingly more complex designs as well as special mini pins just for kids. You can see more in her Etsy shop.

Photo: Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870 – 1924) lying in state in the Kremlin. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 1924

Important! For the same article in Russian language click here.

Something quite intriguing is happening within Russian-speaking internet during the last few – should you type a fully academic inquiry (at least, according to Russian academic requirements) in national search engines for "Lenin's mausoleum" – the first thing you get (even in top 10 searches) is website pages talking about black magic and occult. Website authors view this construction differently, but unconditionally agree on one thing: the mausoleum of the "leader of the world proletariat” – the essence of a magical artifact, a sort of “energy vampire”. It was built with a certain purpose: to drain the energy out of miserable Soviet citizens on one hand; and to poison the anthroposphere of one-sixth part of the earth with its vibes (the exact territory that was occupied by the former Soviet Union), depriving the Russian people of will to resist on the other hand. Complete nonsense? No doubt. Nevertheless, an intriguing one. Well, probably because some oddities do exist in mausoleum's history. These oddities are the thing we are going to discuss this time. First, let me refresh you memory on the subject.

“I started photography in June 2009. At the time, I was searching for a way to express both the rigorous scientist and the creative artist in me. There are few hobbies that let these two approaches work together, so I really was enthusiastic about it: I am now spending all my free time studying various techniques, contemplating others' fantastic work, and of course, making pictures”. – Christophe Kiciak. Photo: “The Hero”. (Photo by Christophe Kiciak)

Italian artist Marcello Barenghi draws incredibly realistic everyday objects that appear almost three dimensional with the help of colored pencils and occasional enhancements using markers or watercolor. Each work appears ever so slightly stylized which I think sets these apart from similar hyperrealistic drawings that are meant to ‘trick’ a viewer. If you want to see more, Barenghi runs a YouTube channel where he documents the process of almost every drawing.

Suso33 spent the last few days perched on a yellow crane to work on this impressive new piece on the streets of Madrid, Spain. Using a rather simple technique, the Spanish artist painted a brilliant piece which enters directly amongst our favourite artworks this year. This mural is a concentration of slightly outlined figures which are persecuted by their shadows, but if the viewer, instead of focusing on details, looks at the entire picture, what he sees is another figure. Take a look at more images after the jump and if you are in the area, you'll be able to find the piece at plaza del Poeta Leopoldo de Luis.

You have no idea of the power of a skillful makeup artist. By working his magic, he can transform a woman into a respectable gentleman, a young lady into a heartless drug dealer, or simply show how a person would look like after a few decades have passed. Some can even transform a not-so-handsome young man into a beautiful young girl, which can spell a lot of trouble if you see him/her at a night club. Lucia Pittalis is one of those masters of makeup, and she uses her skills to stun the audience by transforming herself and a few volunteers into famous movie characters, actors, and musicians. (Photo by Lucia Pittalis)