On Art Mondays we bring you innovative, inspiring examples of artists working with and for the environment.

Sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor creates cement figures from models--including students and a BBC presenter-- and then places them underwater as artificial reefs, where sea sponges and worms can collect on the hard surface and attract fish and other underwater residents searching for a stable home. Check out the images of the works changing over time, it's both eerie and beautiful how the sea overtakes the forms.
One more image after the jump. All images courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor. More...

Are you ready for more sun and more fun in the great outdoors? So are we. To launch into summer, we're sending our June newsletter soon with free printable coupons for outdoor recreation and reminders of all the great deals in our book.

If you aren't signed up yet, enter your email in the box at upper right. We only send newsletters monthly.

Here's a sampling to get you interested. This Tizzi bathing suit by Kelly B is 65% bamboo and 25% organic cotton (with 8% spandex), and USA made. Order online ($130) from Nimli.

Image via Nimli. More...

We're promoting outdoor recreation--running, hiking, biking, swimming, camping...hang gliding, you name it--for all of June. Submit your fun photos to show others in the community what you're up to. Winners will be chosen frequently throughout the month to receive a free book.

You can submit other photos of green living at any time.

Twin Cities Sustainable City on Flickr

Please note: To meet our criteria, the outdoor recreation must be non-motorized.

Image: Flickr/Creative Commons More...

Now in Season 2, Green Porno explores reproduction in nature among animals and insects. Each episode begins with a costumed Isabella Rossellini stating, "If I were a..." and follows her through mating process on a low-tech, charming set of construction paper and puppets. I'd never considered how barnacles reproduce, and now I know. Start with Limpet, below, to get a sense of the art-film-meets-Muppets style. The Whale will really knock you out, and the Praying Mantis will permanently endear you to Rossellini, who is also a producer of the series.
 More...

The Guide Girls are Winnie and Maxine, two sassy and silly women who will walk you through basic sustainability habits with crass jokes and occasional knickers shots. For those that are hard to win over, or have just heard the same maxims too many times, their comedy is a good dose of fun.

If you prefer your information via video, their Guide Girl Instructisodes are all available at their site or YouTube. I recommend starting with How to Compost with the Guide Girls.

For readers, try their Facty Sheetoids, printable PDFs that answer the tough questions about green choices, such as How to Change a Lightbulb: "Last time I tried one of these bulbs I looked ill" goes one question. Their answer: "You fool; you probably bought a 'day light' or 'bright white' bulb. Choose 'soft white' and the light will be softer and more yellow." Or, "I am fancy and live in a castle filled with antique chandeliers."

 You can find the fancy answer and more at TheGuideGirls.com.

(Screenshot: Introducing the Guide Girls, TheGuideGirls.com) More...

Perhaps against Jackson's will, the contents of the nearly foreclosed Neverland Ranch are up for auction, reports the New York Times. Everything is up for grabs, with bids already flying, at Julien's Auctions. Browsing the catalog, particularly the clothes, is an awe-inducing trip through Jackson's tour clothes and the opulence of the past. Jackson has always set the bar for bling, but I think we've also started to ask for more involvement from our celebrities, such as Brad Pitt's Make It Right homes in New Orleans.

But I know you want to check out Jackson's outfits.

Here's a few items on the block.

Paul Bedard Portrait, estimated $200-$300 More...

From the maker of Helvetica comes another documentary about aesthetics and the relationship between consumers and designers. Objectified follows the design process of everyday objects and interviews the people who make, sell, and think about these objects, including Rob Walker of the New York Times column Consumed.

Two special screenings will be held at Walker Art Center on April 30th, featuring director Gary Hustwit. Tickets have sold out in advance for other screenings, get yours here. $10 non-members, $8 members.

Watch the trailer. More...

It feels a little silly to have to hand someone a paper business card when you have an iPhone with you, doesn't it? And how many times have you run out of business cards at events, and had to make one up on the back of a scrap of paper? Or, you come home from that same event with a pocketful of cards that now have to be entered into your computer. What is this, the 80s?

There are some advancements, but the coolest and most social networking-friendly I've seen yet is Contxts, a text message based business card. Fill out your free profile to include your email and phone number, then add on your Flickr, Twitter, Linked In, and anything else you want to share.

If nothing else, use it for those moments when you find your pockets empty. Just have your contact text your profile name (mine's Carissa) to 50500, and they'll get your 'card' in return. You can then login to your account and see how many people have requested your card. I tested it on myself and it worked perfectly.

Image: Screenshot, Contxts.com

Via: Swiss Miss More...

With Valentine’s Day come and gone, you may begin pondering just how many artificial ingredients are in those little candy hearts. Amongst the flowers and teddy bears, it’s impossible not to notice all the red and pink candy displays at the market.

It’s also impossible that all that packaging doesn’t end up in the garbage.

Here are some ideas on how you can cut down on waste and find creative gifts made from what is normally thrown away. More...