Corny photography

it's a pretty corny day.

i never really wondered how pretty corns were,

their shape, their colour, their structure.

how beautiful.

see how many grains (if this is the correct term) of corn may be of a different colour,

yellow, pale yellow, white.

and their leaves too,

how pretty.

there are really many intriguing angles one can shoot from,

an endless supply of patterns that can be observed from corns.

a nature's natural.

i like this picture- it looks clean :D

don't you just think that the background is the perfect complement for the yellow corn?

one day,

i'd embark on a photography mission to shoot pretty vegetables.

oh, this suddenly reminded me of a fruit, mangosteen.

go check them out,

there's this really cute flower-shaped thing on the bottom of it.

it's something i spotted while examining them :)

fruits and vegetables are just interesting,

:D

Food photography

photography on food :D

my favourite!

hope they look delicious!

cheese

milk

seasoning powder

Manga drawing

My first few attempts on manga drawing, 2010

a pretty change from portrait drawings;
drawing in manga-style really is quite a challenge for me.
But how fascinating is that, pretty faces and dream-like stories.
I wanna draw in an awesome manga-style!
:)

Pencils, A5 sized

'

Pencils, A4 sized

Pencils, A5 sized

Biennale writings

These are poems I've written on some of the Biennale's works:

Double Up by Michael Beutler at Old Kallang Airport
http://blogs.todayonline.com/forartssake/2011/04/04/sb2011-young-art-writers-steamed-buns/#more-2676

The Dragon, The Purple Forbidden Enclosure by Dane Mitchell at Old Kallang Airport
http://blogs.todayonline.com/forartssake/2011/04/04/sb2011-young-art-writers-the-dragon-the-purple-forbidden-enclosure/#more-2679

Our works were uploaded to a common platform- Mr.Mayo Martin (TODAY's art section writer)'s blog which is just dedicated to writing about art.

TODAY publication

Writing on The Dragon, The Purple Forbidden Enclosure by Dane Mitchell at Old Kallang Airport

It's heartening to be acknowledged, especially when seldom are there chances for public recognition like these. My first, and perhaps would be my last, published art review.

I find my reviews still quite immature and lacking deeper understanding towards certain social norms and issues. There is a much much more room for improvement, and i'm glad, because life's a learning journey. Opinions and ideas come with experience and are constantly changing.

The publication came as a surprise and was totally unexpected. I'm particularly glad, that my article was edited to become succinct, resulting in better expressions of my ideas and thoughts :) Also, it was delightful to be one of the first articles published.



The link for my article would be as follow:
http://www.todayonline.com/Arts/EDC110329-0000016/Did-you-feel-that?

This was my article before the edit:
(Pardon me for my language errors and faulty expressions)

One stumbles upon the loud neon-orange label next to the wall text shouting “THE WORK YOU ARE ABOUT TO VIEW IS OF A SPIRITUAL NATURE AND MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME VIEWERS”, giving the viewers a quick idea of the concept behind the piece. Looking forward, a signboard too screams at the viewers, “ENERGY HAS BEEN CHANNELLED. FOR BETTER RESULTS SPRAY FOREHEAD”. While, beneath it are two transparent spray bottles filled with water and a gold or silver patterned paper in each of it. The Dragon, The Purple Forbidden Enclosure by Dane Mitchell certainly captures the attention of passers-by.

This particularly intriguing work by Mitchell, deals with the sensitive topic of the invisibles- spirits and energies. In the exhibition room, one first sees an angular structure constructed with metal tubes, resembling constellations. An interestingly shaped blown glass sculpture is also placed on top of two thin wooden planks. Looking further, the red thread tied to these metallic tubes, a black rough stone and 108 neatly arranged three-quarters filled translucent plastic bottles is hardly unnoticeable.

Mitchell makes use of a cleverly arranged set-up comprising large empty spaces and a conjoining linear system of metal tubing. Not only are the few main objects given emphasis, it also connects the exhibit from one side to another, giving the viewers a guided walkthrough around it. The metal tubing also fragments larger spaces, forcing viewers to only be able to walk through certain spaces and thus giving one the illusion that the room is full, despite the minimal objects and things present.

Red threads are often commonly associated with birth and death- things different yet seemingly alike. Mitchell’s work allows one to reconsider things from a different perspective, and in this case, with its dominant use of red thread, it seeks to engage the exploration of relationships. An example would be Mitchell’s play on the concept of energies. The visible exhibition set-up being compared against the invisible energies channeled. Despite the two being completely separate things, it is of no denial that they both help in addressing the same concept. Likewise, there is also an interlinked relationship between the movement of energies- arrival and departure. Two completely different extreme points, yet both speak of the same way of continuity in a cycle. In other aspects, relationships are also explored via the actions of viewers (approaching and withdrawal); the form of objects (fluidity versus rigidity); the materials of the objects (organic versus inorganic); and even in the use of spaces (emptiness versus fullness).

A room specially set up, with collaboration from different fields- Mitchell, glass blowers, spiritual mediums- undoubtedly helps create a sensual experience for the onlooker. Be it unsettling, uneasiness or simply being neutral. However so, it still leads one to wonder if such feelings felt within the exhibition room was due to having prior knowledge that there is a spiritual concept behind the work, one’s own imagination, having a true experience of moving energies which Mitchell speaks of, or purely coincidental.

When things could actually relate to the arts

Mr Lange was the mentor to coaches of many different countries for the past 17 years such as Thailand and Indonesia; he produced multiple SEA Games Gold Medalists and World Champions (with World record in 5000m); is in charge of various sports development projects all over the world and published numerous research papers on sports and exercise science and training methodology.

Information and image taken from: http://www.singaporeathletics.com/singapore-news/gunter-lange

Today, I attended a talk by Mr. Günter Lange (pronounced as goon-ter, lung-er), a renowned German expert on the field of coaching, especially in Track and Field. His talk was focused on the topic “Early Specialization versus age and development”. It was rather insightful and it made me wonder a lot about what he told us. Also, it made me relate the things that he spoke about to the topic of art.

Students should not specialize in a certain fixed field from a young age. To think about the events that he or she might possibly do would probably come in at a much later date. I agree to full extent on what he mentioned about nurturing athletes rather than runners. A runner is someone who is simply able to run, run and only run; while an athlete is someone who possesses the knowledge and skills when it comes to track events or even in games and is able to apply them as well.

side note: An athlete should be knowledgable, and educated about trainings and coaching- things involving him or her. This knowledge not only helps them to better understand their trainings, they also help the athlete to be exposed and aware of the various opportunities for improvements.

In the context of art, likewise we should not undergo early specialization in what field of art that we undertake, what type of subject matter we should focus on, what kinds of medium we should specialize in. Like running, there isn’t an easy way out. It is a long, life-time journey that one needs to go through for her development. The process is ever-changing and there is no fixed solution to the various problems. It is something free for discussion, open to new boundaries and solely self-exploration. This is how we actually surprise ourselves when we achieve things we never thought we could. Also, we should not be nurturing ourselves to be people who create art for the sake of making it but rather people who do art because they simply enjoy it and attempt to use it as a tool for self-expression.

In the Q&A session, a primary school teacher asked Mr. Lange, on what is he is able to do to improve and probably change his P.E. lessons in such a manner that it would enrich his students the most (aged 8 or 9 and above till the teens). Mr. Lange replied that students should be given various opportunities to experience everything and anything. Not only should they try out track or field events such as running, throwing or sprinting; they should also try out various other sports such as volleyball, tennis or netball. Or even, instruments! Also, there should be important emphasis put into skills taught to the students at a young age. Skills come in different forms and it is of great significance that the students are not only confined to the walls of the track events and forced to only run or hurdle for all the various skills of other sports are likewise important in nurturing him or her to be a better athlete. A fine example would be the act of catching a ball when someone passes it to you. Such simple actions would help to enhance one’s coordination of the eye and the hands.

This instantly made me relate it to art, especially in the basic skills in practical that we do to improve ourselves. Despite all the things that we regard now to be our ‘style’, our ‘personality’, our ‘self-identity’; they are all subjected to change. Without opening oneself to broader perspectives, wider range of choices and experiences, we would never push ourselves to the maximum limit that we can achieve or discover. As such, freedom to explore is important. Likewise are skills. This is the blunt reason why certain assignments or practice are tailored in such a manner that we learn to copy and imitate from the Masters. To improve our most basic skills in terms of drawing or painting, we do corrections; learn from them, practice and practice. Some may easily disregard such efforts and refer them to being pointless. However, these basic skills serve as our foundations and are what allows for more change and possibilities in the future. Like what I have once heard in a documentary video, “There’s no vision without technique”.

It is interesting how art relates to my everyday life, when things start to link up on its own. How interesting it may be when art presents itself in a totally different form during different occasions.

Chinatown Shoot

Yesterday, I went for a Chinatown CNY Shoot with TXY SYD! <3

It was a very personal experience for me, shooting Chinatown like never before,

since it was raining, it was at night and it is considered a rather bold action of me.

I often worried and cared whether others might mind if I shot them,

and thus I never went forward with boldness.

Yesterday's group shooting really made me want to continue shooting people.

In a candid manner, even if it takes me to snap some shots, "despicably" without them knowing.

Honestly, I'm not someone who frequently goes out.

But doing something with a group of fun enthusiasts really spurred me on,

it will and definitely is something that i would love to do.

Even if i meant for me to be drenched like yesterday

(Shooting with an umbrella is not impossible, but still rather tough for me. Haha)

Here are photographs I shot yesterday:

There was a huge crowd yesterday, people wanting to get into the joyous atmosphere of the New Year. There were interesting sights for us to see as well! Firstly, the rubbish which were like speckles of snowflakes on the floor. Secondly, the synchronized action of people bending down to walk through the crowd- to avoid the 'bumps' on the tent (gi-enormous rain puddles) in case a mini heavy downpour comes by your side. And lastly, umbrellas everywhere!

The uncle selling the willows resting here, with a plastic bag above his head. I don't exactly like the composition of this shot, it would be better if it was a wide-angle. But I do like its subject. The willows as background and the light bulbs as spot lights, makes the picture rather atmospheric-looking.

I like to take photographs using low light, during the night and when there is a luminating main light for focus on. Such as the one above. The dark backgrounds, comprising silhouttes and umbrellas contrasts with the red tent and the light. Perhaps, it would have been better if I adopted the rule of third?

And for the shot of the girl, this is one of my favourites for the day. It was unexpected shot and I was glad I snapped it just in time. Her backview, with her pose and her pink clothes. One tinge of regret, if I possibly might, change the shutter speed to capture the rain drops she was trying to catch.

For this orange shot, argh; it might have been better if i focused on the subject on the front. This is debatable. I could either capture the old lady selling the oranges at the back, or the lady picking the oranges. But i do like the composition and the lighting for it.

The lights were shot from a shop. They are beautiful.
Illuminating the dark background like light drops.
Traditional chinese masks further emphasizes the chinese environment as well.

I would have possibly bought a sky lantern yesterday if I could stop by.

There were some seniors playing chess there. I would have possibly cropped them, but I hadn't. It would be nice if they were captured by film, on black and white.

The chinese traditional envrionment fully portrayed here. The chinese calligraphy, reds depicted and chinese words. I like the lighting, once again- low light. Would it have been better if it was wide angle?

The uncle selling the balloons. He doesnt really like us snapping him, so it is a rare shot of his half-shot face. He was attempting to cover his face, I suppose. But the balloons in his hands really make the shot interesting. Wide angle, better? (argh, I'm too into wide angles- all my other perspectives of the photographs are in wide angle!)

Shadows, of the chinese traditional ribbons. How beautiful they are!

It's the first time shooting outdoors, with a group.

Just with the intention to capture, don't think and snap, wait with patience for my image to appear.

The feeling's awesome. And this won't be my last outing!