Daniel took first place with his turtle peaking out of the water. A fairly simple design, though he said “The head was somewhat simple to make, but after dropping it once I realized it was a little harder to recreate.” All the plants and rocks drive the image home. First place awards Daniel $100.

2nd Place: “The Flooded City” by Anum Barr

Anum Barr’s city was created solely with magnets and a mirror. The reflections have a very nice water effect. Looks just like Venice. For second place Anum is awarded $85.

3rd Place: “Zen Zombie rises from the ground” by JLW

I could be wrong, but I think this is the first molded style sculpture we’ve had in a while. JLW mashed this zombie into existence with 2592 Zen Magnets. Looks like he’s been decaying a little while already. Third place awards JLW $65.

4th Place: “What Lies Below” by tend2it

Last but not least, we have tend2it’s submission. A single arch on a mirror, creating the illusion of a full ring. Only 144 magnets used. For 4th place, tend2it earns $50.

Thanks to all our participants, not only from this contest but throughout the years. It’s been a long, strange trip. Winners will be able to use their winnings at neoballs.com or micromagnets.com.

We had a total of 4 entries for the last ever Zen Magnets contest. Not terribly shocking considering there are no more Zen Magnets or Neoballs to purchase with one’s contest winnings. Regardless, we have $300 in prizes to dole out (Micromagnets anyone?). Check out the submissions here and then vote for your favorites.

Voting will be open through January 10, 2021. After you’ve checked out the full size versions of the submissions, vote here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/CspQqQJ3iC2T3Bzh7″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

“…you can stare right at something and not see what lies beneath the surface.”

This is possibly our final contest, hopefully not, but here is why.

The December 2020 contest is to produce a sculpture which creates the illusion that more lies beneath the surface. Swimmers, zombie hands, sea monsters, mammoths in tarpits, use your imagination. There is no limit to the number of magnets you may use, but Zen Magnets only for this contest.

Summary of Requirements:

• Construction must appear to be partially submerged
• Zen Magnets only
• No limit to number of magnets used
• 1 submission per person
• No collages/grids
• No photo manipulation beyond basic color correction and exposure.
• Deadline Dec 31, 2020

Everything you submit goes into the public domain. Of course, the first and most important requirement is that you have fun! As usual, the judges will be your peers. Pay attention to resolution, focus, lighting and framing. Sharp, high resolution pictures are preferred. There will be at least FIVE winners, possibly more depending on participation. There will be $300 in prizes to be distributed among the winners- prizes can be redeemed at zenmagnets.com or neoballs.com.

Submit here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/RfqCbBgbcojViEZDA” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Submit[/button]

Krazy Kat secured 1st place with her super adorable Santa Claus. Perhaps this entry was more popular due to the season, but most likely it’s the perfect use of colored magnets and Kat’s Christmas Spirit. Certainly a jolly ol elf. 1st prize earns Krazy Kat $100.

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2nd Place: “The Last Magnet Bender” by Ra Tascon

“There has never been a magnet bender before.” declared Ra Tascon with this entry, and I have to agree. Like Krazy Kat, the use of color is totally spot on. My only complaint would be the white eyeballs, but the boots and clothes are so good it doesn’t really matter. 2nd place awards Ra Tascon $85.

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3rd Place: Flying Kick Action !” by tend2it

Tend2it flying kicked his way into 3rd with these battle droids. I’ve honestly not seen magnet peeps with such accurate human proportions before. Tend2it said, “The challenge was to get the body proportions and joint bends accurate with the limitations of the magnetic fields.” Well, you totally nailed it. 3rd place earns tend2it $55.

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4th Place: “Plumber’s Enemy” by Luisin

Luisin took 4th with his rendition of Bowser. A magneteer after our own hearts, Luisin’s inspiration came from the cover of his Smash Bros game. “I didn’t think I would be able to create a Bowser, but with some imagination everything is possible.” said Luisin. We couldn’t agree more. Luisin gets $35 for 4th place.

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5th Place: “Juggernaut900” by JLW

In 5th place is JLW’s Juggernaut900. I love that I’ve not seen a magnet build like this before, and totally thought it was Pyramid head from Silent Hill. This whole contest was great for fresh takes on human-ish figures. JLW’s creativity earned him $25 for 5th.

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6th Place: “Help Is Arriving” by Roberta Kern

Roberta’s submission demonstrated how easily figures can be created from very simple shapes, if not all the same shape. This hexagonal buddy earned Roberta $15.

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7th Place: “Hip, Hip, Hooray!” by Magneto Man

Magneto Man took 7th with this very crisp, clear shot of a magnet man with insanely few magnets. This happy lil dude earned Magneto Man $15.

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8th Place: “Magneto” by Nick Schaefers

Tying for 8th place is Nick’s Magneto. Nick was the only participant that utilized molding in his construction process. 8th place earns Nick $15.

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8th Place: “Magnet Man Says Hi!” by RazapMagnets

Last but not least, our other 8th place winner is RazapMagnet’s Magnet Man. Gotta love the nice round body, perhaps the first instance of a plus sized magnet man? He’s definitely fatter than Kat’s Santa. Razap gets $15 as well.

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If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because next month may be the last. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

All submissions are in for the November 2020 contest. We have 9 total entries, which you can view full size from the grid below.

We have $300 in prizes to be distributed amongst the winners, but we need help selecting them first. Once you’ve decided on some favorites, follow the button below to cast your vote. 1 vote per person. Voting deadline is Dec 7, 2020

[button link=”https://forms.gle/EpheSEYRTyxDxNFaA” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

“There are three kinds of forms in the human figure: Ovoid forms – egg, ball and barrel masses; Column forms – cylinder, cone; Spatulate forms – box, slab and wedge blocks.”

The November 2020 contest is reviving a classic. Create a humanoid figure with magnets. We’re looking for a figure with a head, torso, 2 arms, 2 legs. Plenty of room for imagination.

Last time we held this contest was 6 years and almost 50 contests ago. We’ll shake this one up a bit. Any brand of 5mm magnet spheres allowed, limit yourself to a max of 1728 magnets.

Here’s some inspiration from Homunculus I and Homunculus II.

Summary of Requirements:

• Must have head + torso + 2 legs + 2 arms
• Maximum of 1728 magnets may be used
• Any brand 5mm magnet spheres acceptable
• No props may be a part of your construction
• 1 submission per person
• No collages/grids
• No photo manipulation beyond basic color correction and exposure.
• Deadline Nov 30, 2020

Of course the main requirement is that you have fun. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. As usual, the judges will be your peers. Pay attention to resolution, focus, lighting and framing. Sharp, high resolution pictures are preferred. There will be at least FIVE winners, possibly more depending on participation. There will be $300 in prizes to be distributed among the winners – prizes can be redeemed at zenmagnets.com or neoballs.com.

When you’re ready to submit, follow the button below:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/feBvHGc6UFkzMBAJA” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Submit Here[/button]

In first place is an impressive instrument. Krazy Kat’s Magnetic Stradivarius was modeled after a real violin in her home. The single strand magnet strings on the violin and the bow are impressive. An excellent job of including lots of details. First place awards Krazy Kat with $80.

2nd Place – “Cristofori” by Roberta Kern

In second place is Roberta’s Cristofori grand piano. The lighting is great, the piano looks ready for a recital. The dimensions are pretty spot on, and the inclusion of the music stand and pedals really make it work. Check out more angles of the piano on her flickr. Second place awards Roberta $70.

3rd Place – “Piano Man” by Ra Tascon

In third we have another grand piano, this one by Ra Tascon. A very similar construction approach to Roberta’s. Ra Tascon opted for a wider body and more keys. Ra Tascon is awarded $65 for third place.

4th Place – “Guitar” by KLAW

KLAW came in fourth place with a classic guitar shape. There’s a lot of very crisp detail in this shot, and the contrast of the sparkly, warm lighting with the textured blue adds a nice balance of warm and cool. KLAW gets $50 for fourth place.

5th Place – “Banjo” by Mathnetism

Tied for fifth place is Mathnetism with a very nice banjo. The proportions of the fat drum body and skinny neck are near perfect. Mathnetism created this 8 years ago for another stringed instrument contest, but chose not to submit it last time. Fifth place awards him $40.

5th Place – “Mesopotamian Lyre” by tend2it

Our other fifth place winner is tend2it with his Lyre. This was also constructed 8 years ago, inspired by a research project his daughter was doing. Of all the stringed instrument submissions, this is truly the most ancient with its graven image bullhead. Fifth place awards tend2it $40.

7th Place – “Classic Harp” by ABoxWithinABox

Coming in seventh is ABoxWithinABox’s harp. I am super impressed by how few magnets are used here. The harp shape is recognizable, and the fact that it is standing is a miracle. The building base may be the only thing holding this all together, but he got the shot. Seventh place awards ABoxWithinABox $25.

8th Place – “Stringed Banjo” by Magneto Man

Magneto Man took eighth with his stringed banjo. Simple, but effective. I like the hollow body approach with strands over it, but wish more of the magnets were in focus. Eighth place earns Magneto Man $18.

9th Place – “Small Guitar” by RazapMagnets

Finally, we have RazapMagnets in ninth with his small guitar. I could definitely see a Lego character playing ukulele music in a feel good family movie with this. Ninth place awards RazapMagnets $12.

Thanks to all our participants and judges. We thought the caliber of submissions was worthy of everyone getting something this month, and upped our total winnings to $400.

If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

We have 9 total entries for the Unlimited Zen Magnets Stringed Instruments Contest. Check them all out below, click the thumbs for all those full sized details.

When you have decided who gets your vote, head on over to the voting form:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/gKBiBSZ5Fdkbj1Dg6″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

We’ve hosted a musical instrument contest once before. If you made a stringed instrument in the past, feel free to use that photo as your submission only if it has not been submitted to any previous Zen Contests.

Summary of Requirements:

• Zen Magnets only
• No limit on magnet quantity
• 1 submission per person
• Deadline October 31, 2020

Of course the main requirement is that you have fun. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. If you have questions regarding your submission for this contest, email them to contest@zenmagnets.com

Follow the button below to submit your entry :

[button link=”https://forms.gle/HnjRSdaxcG9GfShd8″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Submit Here[/button]

Kimball took 1st with this great shot. Comprised of a full Mandala set with interlocking subunits, the intersections of the build spell the word ZEN. Creative, well executed, nice job. 1st place awards Kimball $85

2nd Place: “Snowflake” by Zach

Zach came in second with the Snowflake build. Nice symmetry, the focal point is in the negative space drawing our eyes to the center. Great lighting on the magnets. Second place awards Zach $68

3rd Place: “Triangle subunits” by MeowAwo

In third place is MeowAwo, whose original intent was purely to achieve a ball shape. After being unimpressed with the result, he added a second layer and found himself in third. MeowAwo is awarded $55

4th Place: “Best Sculpture Ever” by DBOI

Coming in fourth is DBOI’s best sculpture ever, apparently the judges didn’t fully agree. Personally, I’m a fan of the interaction between the spheres and the underwater mine shape and crisp focus. DBOI is awarded $37

5th Place: “Rough Seas” by Roberta Kern

Roberta crashed into 5th place with her rough seas interpretation. She said “I tried several times to create a wave sensation without much luck. When I began using the truncated triangles for this contest the waves appeared to my delight!” Gotta love when solutions present themselves. Roberta is awarded $20

6th Place: “TIE fighter” by Bastian

Bastian took sixth place with a fun Star Wars build, which was not premeditated. “At some point I thought it looked like a TIE fighter from Star Wars and decided to submit this build.” A solid reason why playing with magnets is so rewarding. Bastian is awarded $15

7th Place: “I Zen Magnets” by Magneto Man

Magneto Man tied for 7th with Razapmagnets. A nice 2d style image but with multiple building techniques and 3d builds as well. Magneto Man is awarded $10

7th Place: “Football and Goalpost” by RazapMagnets

RazapMagnets tying for 7th with the Football and Goalpost. Love the high contrast between that mirror magnet finish and the bright green. Nice use of antiparallel connections for the goalpost and parallel connections on the football. RazapMagnets is awarded $10

If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size, and check all the submissions below. Keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon. Thanks everyone for participating!

We had a total of 17 entries for contest #83, 15 of which are valid*. Now let’s open it up to the public to pick the winners. All the submissions below have been verified and their usage of the subunit is valid. Click the images in the grid to check them in full size glory. When you’re ready to vote for your top 3, follow the link at the bottom.

Voting ends midnight Oct 6, 2020. Ready to vote? Follow that button:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/JUEQbiSvPbG5q4VcA” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

* Zen Magnets only means only Zen Magnets brand magnets allowed. No Buckyballs, no Neoballs, no Nanodots etc.

There is no limit on how many magnet spheres you may use. Zen Magnets only for this contest. If you don’t have thousands of magnets, you’ll have to especially focus on the lighting, framing, and photographic integrity.

You will need to submit 2 photos for this contest. 1 will be your contest entry for judging, the 2nd is for proof that your build is entirely comprised of the required subunit. Make sure your “proof” photo is from a different angle, and take multiples in case we ask for more verification.

Summary of Requirements:

• Zen Magnets only
• Must be composed entirely of truncated 12-triangle subunits
• No limit to number of magnets used
• 1 submission per person
• 2 photos required for submission
• Deadline September 30, 2020

Of course the main requirement is that you have fun. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. To submit your entry, follow the button below.

[button link=”https://forms.gle/ktyvraMTzF1BstbY6″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Submit Here[/button]

SSoltero took first place with a classic pentagon top, colored to achieve a rainbow effect when spun. Plenty of motion blur here. 1st place awards SSoltero $85.

2nd Place – “Zen Bowling” by tend2it

In second place we have tend2it’s “Zen Bowling.” The motion blur is on the bowling ball, telling of it’s great speed. A nice action shot filled with anticipation. 2nd place awards tend2it $71.

3rd Place – “UFO Abduction” by Jaime

In 3rd place we have Jaime’s UFO. The UFO was achieved with a mix of Zen Magnets, Glow in the Dark, and Black Neoballs. The “tractor beam” was created with a spinning chain and slow shutter speed. 3rd place awards Jaime $63.

4th Place – “Plane in Motion” by Krazy Kat

In 4th place is Krazy Kat with the flying plane. I believe this was achieved inside a car, but could be wrong. The water/dirt on the window is unfortunate, but overall a great submission for this contest. 4th place awards Krazy Kat $38.

5th Place – “Ancient Relic” by Ra Tascon

Who even remembers fidget spinners at this point? Great shot, a little dark, funny title. I love how the highlights in the magnets have become lines. Ra Tascon is awarded $28 for 5th place.

6th Place – “Magnets in Motion” by Roberta Kern

Finally, we have Roberta’s submission, which I believe is a pentagon top as well. There’s a bit too much direct light on the magnets, they’re getting blown out. Looks like we’re watching a ballet dancer from the catwalk. 6th place awards Roberta $15.

A huge thank you to all participants, builders and judges alike. If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

Submissions are in for Magnets in Motion. We have a total of 6 entries for the August 2020 contest. Click the thumbnails below to check out all the entries in their full res glory. Vote for your top 3 by following the link at the bottom of the page.

Once you are done deliberating over who deserves your praise go vote! You’ll need to pick an entry for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We’ve got $300 in prizes to be distributed among the winners. Voting deadline is end of day Sept 6, 2020.

[button link=”https://forms.gle/p2UFeP2SjZjyNCp59″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

What you build is entirely up to you. Use any number of magnets of any brand. Remember, the highlights on the magnets are going to be the most prominent, use it to your advantage.

Summary of Requirements:

• No limit on number of magnets or brand
• 1 submission per person
• Photo must have motion blur from movement
• No collages or photo manipulation beyond basic levels and contrast
• Submissions due by August 31, 2020

Everything you submit goes into the public domain, and of course, the first and most important requirement is that you have fun! Remember, if you’re going to put your magnets into motion, be careful to keep them off the ground. Submit your entry below:

[button link=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhUcdycXI5XSHNx7HYLamE4urWRnnx2rPv-WbMeJgYKrdVlA/viewform?usp=sf_link” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Submit Here[/button]

A decent attempt at blending a magnet sculpture into a landscape. The foreground trees mimic the background foliage colors enough to be convincing. Wishing that background was a little more in focus, but johnny5 said his aperture was completely maxed out. Bottom line, it looks like a bridge, and it looks like it’s over some water. 1st place awards johnny5 with $115.

2nd Place: “The Temple” by Ra Tascon

Ra Tascon decided to recreate the LDS Temple near his home. A great representation of the building itself, especially good ratios for constructing from an image. Some sort of greenery or fencing in the foreground would’ve helped the illusion that the Temple was part of the landscape. Well built and the sunny day helped sell the bright, white temple in Zen form. 2nd place awards Ra Tacon with $75.

3rd Place: “The Lantern” by Bastian

Bastian’s lantern is fairly effective at looking like it’s standing on the sidewalk. The difference in focus between the magnets and the background really makes them stand apart, but this was unavoidable with the setup. RIP the magnets Bastian dropped trying to get the shot :’-( 3rd place awards Bastian with $55.

4th Place: “Space Elevator: new Magnetic Super-material” by Ben Goodchild

Ben’s Space Elevator, while a very simple design, does look connected to the 3 buildings in the distance. Of all the entries, the overall focus is the best between background and magnets. The cloudy day definitely helped keep the magnet reflections in check. Ben agrees, not the best place for a space elevator, but the GM building looked enough like a proper base for one. 4th place awards Ben with $35.

5th Place: “Great Metallic Pyramid” by Robert

Robert’s pyramid (constructed to see how many triangles could be held before the structure buckled) is not a bad effort. Though this looks like it was shot in front of a dirt/rock pile in the driveway, and nothing is convincing me otherwise. Some rocks and sand in the foreground would’ve aided in the illusion that this pyramid was amidst some great rolling dunes. 5th place awards Robert with $20.

Thanks to all our participants! This contest proved to be far more difficult than we’d imagined, and yet you accepted the challenge. Well done.

If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

Submissions are in for the July 2020 contest. Thankfully we didn’t scare everyone off with our fear mongering language and difficult theme. We have 5 entries for you to gaze in wonder over and then vote for your faves.

Be sure to check out the full size images for all the submissions. When you’re ready to cast your vote, head this way:

[button link=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaxbMHDQPki9as2E3kDfqxVvE94EpCapuJhSeWVq1mGkqMKA/viewform?usp=sf_link” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”]Vote Here[/button]

This is NOT a photoshop contest, your image must be staged IRL outside, with a real landscape, not a green screen or backdrop. A shallow depth of focus will help create the illusion of distance and size. A strong foreground, middle ground, and background will help your build fit into it’s surroundings. This is probably the highest risk contest we’ve posted. Don’t try this contest if you’re still accidentally dropping magnets.

Seriously, be careful with your magnets outside. The ground is where magnets go to die. It is extremely easy to get ferric dirt stuck to your magnets and extremely difficult to remove (like, better off in the trash difficult). If not removed, ferric dirt will grind away the outer coating and spread to other magnets. To minimize exposure to ferric dirt, avoid plopping your magnets directly on the ground outside. We suggest using a base or some sort of barrier to place between your magnets and the ground, or maybe sit this contest out if you have any doubt.

Summary of Requirements:

• Any brand of 5mm spheres allowed
• No magnet quantity limit
• No photo manipulation beyond basic levels and color adjustments
• Must be photographed outside with actual landscape
• 1 submission per person
• Deadline August 3, 2020

There will be $300 in prizes to be divided among the winners. The number of winners will be determined by participation. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. Of course, the first and foremost requirement, is that you have fun!

Submit your entry here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/gg9NGaUnhRW6s1mN7″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Submit![/button]

Luisin took first place with his two toned cactus. The inspiration for this build is lined up on his windowsill. He achieved the spiral effect by alternating magnet colors in a long single strand. All that work paid off, because first place awards Luisin with $90.

2nd Place: “Black and White movie.” by Ra Tascon

In second place is Ra Tascon’s black and white video camera. A nice little homage to black and white film in black and white Neoballs. Ra Tascon says the video camera is one of his favorite builds with 216 magnets. Second place awards him with $80.

3rd Place: “Yin Yang” by DBOI

In third Place is DBOI’s Yin Yang. Impressively round in shape, and well staged. This is a very nice photograph, lots of visual interest. DBOI is awarded $60 for third place.

4th Place: “Welcome to OZ!” by YoyoBandalore

In fourth place is YoyoBandalore with a double layered ring made of Zens and orange magnets. Nice sharp focus and shiny magnets. Fourth place awards YoyoBandalore $35.

5th Place: “1H Battle Axe” by tend2it

In fifth place is tend2it’s scaled down battle axe made of Cyan Neoballs and Zen Magnets. A very nice original design, the details are impressive for only 216 magnets. Fifth place awards tend2it $20.

6th Place: “Magnetmoto” by Smither

Finally, we have Smither’s motorcycle. The Gunmetal and Black Neoballs give it an authentic coloration, and it has a nice low profile. The fact the handlebars are outright is impressive. Smither is awarded $15 for 6th place.

Thanks to all our participants for their photo submissions and voting duty. If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

All entries are in for Contest #80 and submissions are closed. We had a total of 13 entries, 12 valid (sorry, rainbow does not count as a single color). Now it is time for the jury to pick their favorite entries. Click the thumbnails below for full size.

Deadline for voting is end of day July 6, 2020. When you’re ready to cast your vote follow the button below:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/iR1Fg5Q3YhkhzHwm7″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Vote Here[/button]

Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides.

The June 2020 contest is to create a build with exactly 216 magnets, split evenly into 2 colors. You will need 108 magnets of one color, 108 of another. Utilize the colors to your advantage to make your construction more detailed or intriguing.

Summary of requirements:

• One construction of exactly 216 magnets
• 2 different colors of magnets, 108 of each
• Any colors or brand of magnets
• 5mm magnet spheres only
• 1 submission per person
• Deadline June 30, 2020

There will be $300 in prizes to be divided among the winners. The number of winners will be determined by participation. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. Of course, the first and foremost requirement, is that you have fun!

Submit your photo here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/yK84r86dPZY1VAfb9″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Submit Here[/button]

Ra Tascon took 1st place with his old school biplane complete with magnet runway. Most of the building blocks are quite simple, but together are very effective in completing this plane. The composition is very nice also. The runway leads your eye to the airplane, and provides the illusion of movement, like we caught this plane during takeoff. 1st place awards Ra Tascon $70.

2nd Place – “Drone” by DBOI

In 2nd place we have DBOI’s Drone. Very well executed, the details and curvature of the body are spot on. DBOI achieved this drone by starting with the cross shape and building it all up from there. 2nd place awards DBOI $55

3rd Place – “Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin) – Multirole Fighter Aircraft” by tend2it

In 3rd place we have tend2it’s Griffin Fighter. Very sharp and precise, with clear attention to detail. Clocking in with 1233 Zen Magnets, tend2it said the tricky part was achieving the distinct shape and angles with the limitations of the magnets, as well as mixing coupled and parallel bonds. 3rd place awards tend2it $45.

4th Place – “B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber” by Pent

Pent took 4th place with this Stealth Bomber. That distinct bomber shape is spot on, and the raised cockpit and details are well done. The photography itself leaves a little to be desired. A tripod would’ve helped the clarity, and the lighting is harsh, but the build itself is great. 4th place awards Pent $35.

5th Place – “Leaving On A Jet Plane” by YoyoBandalore

In 5th place we have YoyoBandalore’s Jet Plane. A clean construction with a nice touch of blue in the lighting. However, the photo is very dark and it feels like we’re losing the details a little bit. 5th place awards YoyoBandalore $27.50

6th Place – “Zen Balloon” by Amaryllis Zen

Amaryllis Zen’s hot air balloon floated into 6th place. The construction of the balloon is excellent. It stands on it’s own and the teardrop shape of the balloon is perfect. I think with a better photo, this would have placed higher, but it looks to be a hand-held, phone photo in low light. A bit blurry, a bit dark, we’re losing some detail, and the cotton clouds are barely visible. Not bad for Amaryllis’ first contest submission. 6th place awards Amaryllis Zen $22.50.

7th Place – “Tiny Plane” by Krazy Kat

Krazy Kat took 7th place with the 216 magnet Tiny Plane. Kat approached this with our favorite mentality: how can I make this with only 216 magnets? 216 piece airplane achieved, and with a base to make it fly above the ground. 7th place awards Krazy Kat $17.50.

8th Place – “Magnet Drone” by Luisin

In 8th place we have Luisin’s Magnet Drone. Luisin modeled his construction after his own drone and it is really quite effective. The body could’ve benefited from a little more depth and definition, but overall well done. 8th place awards Luisin $15.

9th Place – “weird looking airplane” by y0chi

Last but not least, we have y0chi’s weird looking plane. Actually, it’s not THAT weird looking. Kind of like a commercial airliner with a fighter plane cockpit. This could probably be scaled down and built with a set of 216 as well. 9th place awards y0chi $12.50.

Everyone really did a fantastic job on this contest. So much so that we gave prizes to everyone. Keep up the amazing work!

Thanks to all our participants and judges. If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

Contest 79 submissions are in, we have 9 valid aircraft constructions for you to feast your eyes on. Check out the thumbnails below and follow the link to vote for your top 3.

Deadline for voting is June 8, 2020. If you’re ready to cast your votes, follow this link:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/1oDnLqmkjyEyZP4z7″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Vote Here[/button]

Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.

The May 2020 contest is to create and photograph an aircraft made entirely out of Zen Magnets. The Zen Gallery is chocked full of magnetic aeronautics, yet we’ve never held a contest. To be clear, the challenge is to create an aircraft, not a spaceship. There is no limit on the number of magnets you can use.

What’s an aircraft? A machine or device capable of atmospheric flight. Okay, so your magnet sculpture will be incapable of flight. Limit yourself to the list of “Types of Aircraft” about halfway down this page.

Summary of requirements:

• Zen Magnets only
• No limit to number of magnets used
• 1 submission per person
• No collages or photo manipulation beyond basic levels, contrast, color correction
• Submission deadline May 31, 2020

There will be $300 in prizes to be divided among the winners. The number of winners will be determined by participation.

Submit your entry here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/UPYsz13cUr4mHwwz6″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Submit Here[/button]

A construction hybrid, YoyoBandalore’s tree features a molded trunk while the leaves and fruit are composed of hexagons. Nice, vibrant photograph with sharp focus and a hint of Tolkien. 1st place awards YoyoBandalore with $70.

2nd Place: “Triple Ball Shaped Topiary Tree” by tend2it

Some meticulous trimming went into this ornamental topiary submission from tend2it. The 3 balls are made of C60 balls, but with extra leaves layered on the outside. Certainly fit for a fancy garden party or hedge maze. We have a 3-way tie for 2nd place. 2nd Place awards tend2it with $50.

2nd Place: “The Tree” by Luisin

The strong hexagonal trunk was a favorite in the submissions. Luisin topped his with varying layers of leaves achieved with green and glow-in-the-dark Neoballs. The lack of symmetry and disbursement of the leaves feels very natural and organic. 2nd place awards Luisin with $50.

2nd Place: “Pentagon Tree” by Mathnetism

By far the tallest submission we had. Mathnetism utilized varying sizes of pentagons and nearly 15,000 magnets! Very clean, very precise, very calculated. I’m still unsure how that trunk is constructed. The stark contrast of cold, geometric, metal shapes and the natural green backdrop is quite clever. 2nd place awards Mathnetism with $32.

5th Place: “Relax Palm Tree” by DBOI

Easily the most impressive palm fronds made of magnets that I’ve seen. DBOI said the hardest part was keeping it balanced and keeping the leaves from sticking together. Quite a challenge indeed, but it seems it paid off. 5th place awards DBOI with $35.

6th Place: “Family Tree of (magnetic) Bonds” by Brandon

The figurative family tree turned literal. Brandon would like to note that his great grandmothers’ branches are connected purely for stability, they’re not actually related. Clean execution and photography. 6th place awards Brandon with $20

7th Place: “Christmas magnets” by Ra Tascon

Who knew that all you need to make a Christmas tree is a bunch of hexagons? Adorn it with some gold and blue balls and it is ready for presents. Very festive. 7th place awards Ra Tascon with $15.

8th Place: “Pianta Tree” by Daniel Notary

This may be the thickest trunk of all the submissions, and the canopy created with the double layered 6 rings is pretty ingenious. Nice three way symmetry going on, shiny magnets, clear focus, and a vibrant background. 8th place awards Daniel with $10.

Thanks to all our participants and judges. If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

We had a total of 16 submissions for the 3rd installment of the tree contest. Which means its time to open up voting so we can see how $300 in prizes will be distributed among the winners. Check out all the entries below, when you’re ready to vote for your top 3 follow the button at the bottom of the page.

Cast your votes here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/MsArWKz4hyAXQ4f36″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Vote Here[/button]

Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.

Long time no see, magnet sphere tree. The April 2020 contest is the treequel to the previously held abstract tree contests: #10 and #40. Use any brand of magnet spheres to make a self-supporting upright tree. No limit in piece count though it’s doubtful you’ll need to use more than a Mandala. You may use a metal building platform to stabilize the base.

Of all the possible trees, you’re not limited to imitating nature with your art. Apply any creative liberties you need to, even if you’re the only one that identifies your creation as a tree. Just keep in mind that: in your fractal structure battle against gravity, you’re still catering to a panel of your peers. Don’t forget about the background!

Summary of Requirements

• No Magnet count limit
• Any brand magnet spheres ok
• Metal base or building plate permitted to build upon
• One submission per person
• Submission deadline is April 30, 2020

Everything you submit goes into the public domain. As usual, the judges will be your peers. Pay attention to resolution, focus, lighting and framing. Use not your bright reflective flash, but instead a self timer and a tripod. Sharp, high resolution pictures are preferred. Of course, the first and foremost requirement, is that you have fun! We’re offering up $300 in prizes to be distributed among the winners.

Follow the link below to enter the contest:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/zdNakH6TCgCCryu86″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Submit Here[/button]

YoyoBandalore took first place with his bridged cuboctahedron. In order to achieve this photograph, “Figure was placed on a translucent cutting board with white wrapping tissue on top. The cutting board was supported by two champagne flutes with a LED light shining from below.” Precision framing and the tease of how reflective and mirrored the magnets are made this a crowd favorite. 1st place awards Yoyo with $100.

2nd Place: Two Faces Illusion by DBOI

I must admit, I was completely unaware of the illusion in this photo before reading the title. That said, it is well executed and photographed. DBOI had this to say, “The hardest part was getting the overall shape and curves of the faces right. And making it balance. (It fell over a couple of times)” Thus is the bane of the magnet sphere photographer. 2nd place awards DBOI $70.

3rd Place: Illuminati by Krazy Kat

Krazy Kat committed to the triangular route, though the pattern created also exhibits radiating circles and hexagons. Illuminati hypnosis conspiracy! Kat had this to say of her process, “A small triangle led to a bigger triangle, and that bigger triangle led to an even bigger triangle.” Indeed it did. This massive triangle helped Kat klaim 3rd place, awarding $55.

4th Place: Infinite star by Ra

Ra’s Infinite star evokes an object in motion. The backlighting intensifies in the center, similar to YoyoBandalore’s, drawing our eyes inward. Beginning with the same subunit as Krazy Kat, they apparently were both drawn by unseen forces, “The triangle lead to the first star and the first star led to the full construction.” 4th place awards Ra with $40.

5th Place: Stegosaurus silhouette by tend2it

The stegosaurus returns to the Zen contests to grace us with his dainty silhouette. The harsh, direct light unfortunately directs the eye downward and out of frame, and highlights the reflective surface more than the construction. If the light had been directed at the backdrop, instead of towards the dino, we’d have more desirable contrast. Check tend2it’s flickr for more Stegosaurus angles, it’s a fun challenge to build. 5th place awards him $25.

6th Place: Perching palm by ryanpetey

Finally, we’ve got ryanpetey’s palm tree. His photographic process was the most effective in creating a dark, crisp, silhouette. “I used a high power light and placed it underneath my palm tree creation. I directed my light source to shine away from my Zen Magnets to create the silhouette effect.” Unfortunately, the palm tree shape wasn’t distinctive enough to sway the voters. 6th place awards ryanpetey $10.

Thanks to all our participants and voters. Hopefully you’re all staying home, safe, and virus free. If you haven’t already, click on the images to check out the original size. See if you can spot the builds that used colored magnets. And keep in mind that contests held here are independent of the Zen Gallery. Magnet sculptors can always submit photos to gallery.zenmagnets.com to win magnets as well. Spectators, keep your eyes peeled for the next contest, because you choose the winners. Contest Winners, we’ll email you your prizes soon.

The March 2020 contest has come to a close. Time for everyone to stretch their voting finger and pick their favorites. There were 6 entries in total, vying for $300 in prizes. Check out the entries below, then follow the button at the bottom of the page to cast your votes.

1 vote allowed per person, pick your top 3. Voting deadline is April 9, 2020. Vote here:

[button link=”https://forms.gle/yB6wUECTgMLMVggx5″ type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Vote![/button]

There are not many original shapes or silhouettes – only a million variations.

The March 2020 contest is to create a build with 1728 magnets or less, and photograph it’s silhouette. Ergo, the magnets must be lit from behind, so they are shadowed in the photograph. You may construct whatever you please. Remember the judges will be your peers, so aim for visual appeal.

You must also submit a 2nd photo, with your build fully lit, so we can see your setup and magnet count.

List of Requirements:

• 1728 magnets or less
• Magnet build must be silhouetted
• Submit 2 photos- 1 silhouetted for judging, 1 fully lit
• Submission deadline March 31, 2020
• 1 submission per person
• No photo manipulation/collages aside from basic levels and contrast

$300 in prizes is up for grabs, to be distributed among the winners. Everything you submit goes into the public domain. Of course, the first and foremost requirement, is that you have fun!