Things that take your breath away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syQT4PbfXEU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBXr15K2uSc&feature=player_embedded#at=197

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNvWuiQjG80&feature=related

As a reasonably creative mind I am fascinated by what drives people to make things.  What inspires an artist? How does the story form in a writer's head? What visually stimulates an artist to the extent that he tries something nobody has ever seen before?

I wish I could have 10 minutes in the company of Van Gogh or Da Vinci, men so far ahead of their time, that they were never truly appreciated for their amazing gifts until well after their passing.  A man like Terry Pratchett, who seems to thrive on the humour of the human condition.  A musician like Beck, who pushes the boundaries with his music.

The modern day artist, who has to compete with an overload of multimedia and visual stimulation.
How do they cope? How do they amaze a generation that has seen everything, done everything and is "bored" to the extent of only JUST breathing?

No wonder most turn to shocking instead of trying to impress!

If you have seen, heard or experienced something that has taken your breath away recently, I would love to hear it! :)