Summer and Winter Solstice in Google's Doodle
If you logged on to Google today, you must've noticed its doodle depicting a flowery scene with hip creatures apparently screaming.
It's unclear just what exactly they are screaming but something there is no doubt about is the fact they, including the flowers, are excited for the official start of summer 2011.
That's right, summer officially started today with the summer solstice which is also known for marking the longest day of the year, in terms of a daylight-night time ratio. The summer solstice results when the Earth's north to south axis is tilted 23.4 degrees towards the sun giving the north pole its closes approach to the sun and the south pole its furthest distance from the sun.
Due to this, many believe that today is the hottest day of the year or the coldest in the southern hemisphere, which is something not necessarily true.
The doodle apparently showing a bear and a bunny is the creation of Japanese contemporary pop artist, Takashi Murakami whose art has been exhibited all around the world in including the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain and the MOCA in Los Angeles in addition to Louis Vuitton handbags and Kanye West album covers.
Takashi's art forms and sculptures have drawn worldwide attention with "Hiropon", an anime sculpture, being the most prominent that was sold for $7 million at Sotheby's.
Murakami is also known for his active contribution to Japanese art something that he considers has lately become a "shallow appropriation of Western Trends".
Nonetheless, today he reminded us not only about the season change, but also to greet change with excitement.
