Week 6: Singapore Night Festival (A picture a day)

Singapore Night Festival at Singapore Art Museum

Singapore Night Festival at Singapore Art Museum

These photos are taken at the Singapore Art Museum for Singapore Night Festival 2013. It is a nocturnal extravaganza held over four nights every year. This year is the sixth year for the Singapore Night Festival and it stretches from Plaza Singapura to Raffles City and from Waterloo and Armenian streets to Fort Canning Park. It is organised by the team at the National Museum of Singapore.

There are many aerial performances, music, dance and installation artworks in many museums around Singapore such as the Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. My favourite part of the Singapore Night Festival is the video mapping prologue which introduces the essence of instrument, showing how visuals and sounds combined with each other to establish a relationship between architecture and people. The outside of the museums were filled photography enthusiasts who set up their big cameras and tripods and parked them at strategic spots.

I think that the Singapore Night Festival is a good way for people to immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of heritage, arts and culture in Singapore. I only heard of the Singapore Night Festival last year, and I had a really fun experience then, so I decided to go again this year. And it definitely proved to be worthwhile. I cannot wait for next year's showcase and I hope it would be even better.

Week 6: Furniture made of guns by Mozambican designer Gonçalo Mabunda (A picture a day)

Chairs Made out of Weapons

Chairs Made out of Weapons

Chairs Made out of Weapons

These beautiful work of furniture are designed and built by Gonçalo Mabunda. He is interested in the collective memory of his country, Mozambique, which has only recently emerged from a long and terrible civil war. He works with arms recovered in 1992 at the end of the sixteen-year conflict that divided the region.

Mabunda is most well known for his thrones. According to the artist, the thrones function as attributes of power, tribal symbols and traditional pieces of ethnic African art. They are without a doubt an ironic way of commenting on his childhood experience of violence and absurdity and the civil war in Mozambique that isolated his country for a long period.

I love the juxtaposition between the weapons and chairs. I feel that the comparison is that furniture such as chairs in this case are supposed to be used as a form of comfort. However, guns are often a representation of violence. I feel that the irony of comfort versus violence creates a strong contrast that allows me to see these works of arts as more than just a furniture itself. And also given the artist's history, I admire how he has confronted his childhood experiences of violence by creating works of arts using these violence itself, to expresshis strong feelings against the civil war.

Week 6: Hyper-realistic tattoos (A picture a day)

Tattoo of eye

Mechanical Grey Tone Tattoo 

Moth tattoo

Hyper-realistic tattoos are tattoos that look real like photographs. Realistic Tattoos are the modern day form of fine art. Tattoo realism is an art form that not all tattooists can manage. I had friends who had tattoos before I enrolled in NAFA but they mostly had typography type of tattoos. Some of my classmates have nice tattoos and they really got me interested in it too. This made me went to research more about tattoos. I am particularly interested in grey tone tattoos. I love how it provokes a very classy and vintage feeling to a person. Although I would not really consider to be a tattoo artist in the future, I would definitely want to take up an apprenticeship in a tattoo parlour next time to learn an extra skill. I guess I enjoy the feeling of seeing my art being showed off.

Tattoo-mania knows no bounds. People addicted to the ink on the body, at times, seem to be insane to even the most experienced tattoo artist. Sometimes they are asked to make obscene or realistic drawing of a little eerie. 

If I ever have a tattoo, I would want a half-sleeve or full sleeve on my left arm. Preferably a grey tone kind of tattoo. I would not mind flowers, insects, of mechanical kind of design. But before that happens, I still need to save a lot of money cause a tattoo of that size can cost $1000 or even more. I hope one day one of my friends would be a tattoo artist, so I might have the chance to get it at a cheaper rate.

Week 5: Piano and Violin Building (A picture a day)

Piano and Violing Building in China

This Piano and Violin house is situated in Huainan City in north-central Anhui, China. This lovely building was designed in 2007 by the students of the architectural design faculty of Hefey University of Technology. When people think of Huainan, they usually relate the place to scenes of Chinese urbanism such as skyscrapers and shopping malls. It is definitely a surprise to see a house shaped violin leaning against a grand piano with the lid propped open. The violin is completely made out of glass which serves as the entry to the house, linking the elevated piano to the ground. The piano portion of the house stands on three concrete legs. The grand piano base of the building houses two concert halls and is used by music students from a local college. 

I love how the architect has chose to simulate instruments to bring out a very class feeling. This building is also dubbed as the 'most romantic place' in China by the locals. The juxtaposition between the black grand piano and the see through glass violin building, creates a strong contrast between the matte and the transparent. I hope that Singapore would have more of these beautiful architecture.

Week 5: 3D printed model of an unborn child (A picture a day)

3d Printer

3D printed model of an unborn child

The first image i've chosen is an example of a 3D Eiffel Tower model created using blueprints on a computer and printed using a 3D printer. I believe that 3D printers will revolutionize manufacturing and many other industries. 3D printing is the construction of three dimensional solid objects from a digital model. An object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D technology is used in many fields such as jewelery, education and many other industries. 

This second image shows a 3D printed model of an unborn child. There is a company in Japan that takes 3D ultrasound to a whole new level. This product is called "Shape of an Angel". This 3D printed unborn foetus can be created using the model from the 3D ultrasound. I am very surprised how much this 3D printer can do to enrich our lives. There are endless possibilities and boundless opportunities for people to make use of from 3D printers. I hope that one day I can have the chance to try and create my own design using 3D printers.

Week 5: 1920s Men's Fashion Style

Men's Chic Driving Style in 1920s

Men’s fashion in the 1920s was affected by the rise of the automobile as part of the culture. There was a bloom in the economy and this resulted in more people being able to afford a car, and the fashion industry made use of this change to make clothings worn specifically for driving. As shown in the photo above, men would wear flat wool or tweed English driving caps with matching vented leather gloves. The leather jacket was also quite popular in the 1920s, and many like to include a white silk scarf to complement it too.

I love the fashion in this era as it brings out a sense of how a classy gentlemen would dress, with class and in style. I would not mind wearing this to school, but the weather in Singapore is sometimes too hot to bear to wear two layers of clothing. Maybe I can wear this for a formal presentation in school next time. Just a little worried it might be too over the top. But then again, we are studying in an arts school, no harm wearing something more fashionable.

Week 4: Photography by Henri Cartier-Bresson (A picture a day)

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photograph taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson / Magnum Photos, 1933

This is a photograph by a famous photographer taken in Madrid, Spain by Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1933. I chose this picture as I love how the simple ordinary elements come together to create a striking photograph because of the various design elements and design principles involved. The design elements involved in this picture are shape, texture and size, and the design principles i see are repetition and balance.

I think that the main visual identity of this picture are the rectangular and squarish shapes on the wall. The shapes on the walls are in a darker shade than the white wall so it creates a contrast and this allows the repeated shapes to stand out more.Even though the shapes which are repeated on the walls seem to be in a random display, there is a strong concentration  in the centre, because of the slightly larger rectangle windows. The slightly larger rectangular brings the viewers to the centre of the picture as there is a contrast in shape.

When i view this picture, I view it from top to bottom. This is because the contrast of the boys in the bottom who are in a darker shade of this black and white picture and the white walls, the white part of the wall stands out more. You can also see that the hard wall has a rough texture as compared to the softer and smoother feel of the clothing, hair and skin of the boys in the bottom of the picture. This also creates a contrast, in terms of texture.

All these design elements and design principles come together playfully, to create this lovely photograph. This shows that design principles and design elements are important rules to follow or use as guidelines in any form of art to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary.

Week 4: Afghan Girl on National Geographic Magazine Cover (A picture a day)

Afghan Girl on National Geographic Magazine Cover 

Afghan Girl on National Geographic Magazine Cover

Steve Mccurry

I chose this photograph as it made a great impression around the world. This is the photo of an Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic with her beautiful alluring eyes. The photographer Steve McCurry did not know her name, but the picture made headlines for its stark portrayal of beauty in a dire situation. The girl was shot in a refugee camp when she was a teenager. The shocking popularity of the picture motivated the magazine to search for the girl 17 years later and featured her tale on another cover story. That's how powerful this photograph was.

Her name was Sharbat Gula, which means "sweetwater flower girl" in Pashtu, the language of her Pashtun tribe. Sharbat Gula came to Pakistan in 1983 after her parents were both killed in a Soviet air raid on their Afghan village. She had trudged through the jagged mountains in winter for nearly two weeks with her grandmother, brother, and three sisters. She had lived in several refugee camps before coming to the one where McCurry met her. 

In my opinion, this photo summed up for me the trauma and plight, and the whole situation of suddenly having to flee your home and end up in refugee camp, hundreds of miles away. I think that this searingly beautiful image of a young girl with haunting eyes, indeed symbolizes the plight and the pain and the strength of her people. 

Week 4: San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk by Claude Monet (A picture a day)

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk by Claude Monet

This painting titled "San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk" is one of Claude Monet's greatest series. I chose this painting because I love the overall composition and style of Monet. This Impressionist painting focuses on the cathedral and bell tower that is located on the coast of the island. I feel that Monet has done an excellent job in portraying the sunset at the beautiful island. 

I love how the colours of the sky blend together to resemble the colours of a rainbow. The reflection of the sky and bell tower on the water makes the painting feel mystical to me.  In the background, you can see mysterious buildings that seem to be floating. The forms are gently inserted, though not enough to disguise their identity. I think that the colours chosen for this painting were warm, and not too bright, maybe to bring out a sense of calmness through the waves in the water and also through the sky.

Week 3: Mosaics of Rock Icons Using Their CD’s (A picture a day)

Mosaic of Freddie Mercury - 'Too Much Love Will Kill You'

Mosaic of Bob Marley - 'Is This Love?'

Mosaic sculptures were created by the artists Mirco Pagano and Moreno De Turco using a colorful array of CDs, often using the actual albums of the artist depicted, for a campaign entitled "Piracy". Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials.

I feel that piracy infects and destroys music, preventing artists to succeed and become idols as in the past. Their recognition is at risk. Only original CDs allow us to understand who they are and make them universally recognisable icons. A portrait made of pirate CDs would create a non-artist. I think that is a very cool way to look at some of the iconic musicians.

I love the strong message that this campaign has sent out. I hope that this campaign will discourage people from illegally downloading music, and instead, buy the original CDs of the artists to show your appreciation. How would you feel if someone did an exact replica of your artwork without your permission and sell it to others at a cheaper price? Sometimes we need to put ourselves in other people's shoes to understand how they would feel.

Week 3: Singapore Flyer (A picture a day)

View of  another cabin on Singapore Flyer

View of  structure of Singapore Flyer

Night view of Singapore on Singapore Flyer

Day view of Singapore Flyer

These photos were taken during my visit to Singapore Flyer in June. The Singapore Flyer is the world's largest observation wheel. It is situated in the southeast part of Singapore, Marina Bay. Even though the Singapore Flyer had their opening in 2008, I only visited it this year. I heard that initially, the Singapore Flyer was rotating in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from Marina centre. However, its direction was later changed under the advice of Feng Shui masters. In the past there was one incident where one of its electrical cables supplying power to the air-conditioning systems was struck by lightning, affecting the air conditioning. All passengers on board had to be evacuated.

The flyers stands very tall from the ground and it allowed me to enjoy the breathtaking, panoramic views of Marina Bay and beyond. Personally i feel that the night scene is more beautiful than the day when viewing from the peak of the Singapore Flyer. The lights of the streets and buildings, against the dark night skies seem to create a contrasting yet stunning sight.

I was very fortunate that the cabin that I was on was only filled with my friends and I. We had the whole cabin for ourselves. However, because the costs of the tickets for the ride was rather expensive, I don't think I will visit the Singapore Flyer again. It was a great experience, but the enjoyment does not outweigh the cost. But i do suggest this place for tourists, so that they can have a nice view of Singapore, especially the night scene which i love so much.

Week 3: Upcycling Tattered Nepali Silk Meb-rure Furniture (A picture a day)

Tattered Nepali Silk Meb-rure Furniture

Tattered Nepali Silk Meb-rure Furniture front and back view

Tattered Nepali Silk Meb-rure Furniture with ottoman

I love how a new form of art is created from recycling old or unwanted materials.These beautiful pieces and furniture is created by company Meb-rure. This fun and funky furniture duo is made of oak and recycled silk reclaimed from Nepal. The production of these bright and bold pieces also provides work opportunities for unemployed women from Nepal who produce the recycled silk textile by hand. 

The silk is transformed into colourful sponge balls that are then wrapped in silk pieces of varying colours. American white oak provides the framework for all of the pieces, and each can be somewhat flat packed and legs attached by hand. A beautiful concept to reduce, reuse and recycle. I would definitely want this piece of furniture in my house next time. It will surely add some colors to my life!

I hope one day I can make use of recycled materials to create artworks that are both visually appealing and practical. Even though I major in Graphic Communication, I would love to venture into furniture design to explore new ideas and inspirations.