Chris Gilmour is one of those people that can turn unexpected things, which most of us would simply discard as trash, into astounding works of art. By taking simple cardboard packaging and other recycled items, he was able to create intricate replicates of various large items, paying close attention to even the smallest details. His cardboard sculptures include everything from vehicles (motorbikes, cars, bicycles) to religious symbols. Some people may find it sacrilege to create religious icons out of trash, which includes toothpaste, condoms, etc.; however, art should not be bound by prejudice and bigotry of close-minded individuals. (Photo by Chris Gilmour)

America may be a nation obsessed with automobiles, but today the bicycle is giving the car a run for its money. And while New York is just one of many cities that is implementing new bikefriendly policies, the local cyclist population stands out as one of the most diverse, inventive, and stylish in the world.

What do superheroes do when they’re not busy fighting bad guys and saving the world from destruction? Perhaps they’re drawing strength alone in the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. That’s the premise of French photographer Benoit Lapray‘s photo-manipulation series “The Quest for the Absolute.”

As kids we have the natural desire to explore and to create. Whenever our parents would make for us a paper plane, we would become overjoyed seeing it fly across the room. However, planes are not the only thing that can be made from paper, and not only kids are fascinated by it. Some people master the art of origami and are able to create pretty much anything. You never know what’s going to come out when the artist twists and turns a piece of paper in meticulous ways. Finally, the figurine is complete, and you immediately see the striking resemblance of this piece of paper with an animal or some other creature. Ross Symons is one of those artists. He creates his figurines simply for the joy it brings him. Maybe, he uses this as a medium to enter his childhood, or maybe he has other motifs – we will never know. (Photo by Ross Symons)

Animal rights activists from the group “Animal Equality” are covered with plastic sheets to represent meat packaging as they stage a protest during “Day Without Meat” event in Barcelona, Spain, on March 20, 2013. (Photo by Lluis Gene/AFP Photo)

A snowflake rests on black velvet after a snowfall in Knoxville on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. (Photo by Adam Lau/News Sentinel)