Dali: The Mind of A Genius exhibition

It is to my vague memory that I somehow didn't visit the Dali Universe in London (near the London Eye) way back in 2006. So with the exhibit drawing to a close, I "rushed" to visit the Dali exhibition at MBS on its last 2nd day.
I don't know how I should describe his works. His genre is surrealism, and I guess his most famous creation would be his melting clock series.

 

Anyway, as a prep, here are the symbols and their meanings that Dali used in his pieces. 

Drawers - secrets
Ant - death and sexual desire
Crutch - death and resurrection
Grasshopper - fear and anxiety
Butterflies - soul
Egg - life, love and hope
Snail - human head
silhouettes - spirit and apparitions

Hard outside, soft inside - lobster, egg, bread, melted watch.

I didn't take that many notes at the exhibition but just some things that stood out. If you noticed, the faces of most of the sculptures don't really have distinct features.

 

There was one pretty creepy one (to me) of Alice (of Wonderland) though. But to Dali, Alice was the ideal representation of surrealism.

There were also a few angel sculptures and this one's pretty unique in its way, called Vision of an Angel where the thumb in bricks was supposed to represent God I think. A tower maybe?

Of the exhibits, I kind of liked this one called Man with Butterfly. I don't know why I liked it, but maybe because of how "balanced" it was; how it can stand like that on its own and maybe a sense of symmetry. It was almost life-like to me.

Another aspect of his works was that they could contain double meanings in their symbolism.

Besides sculptures, Dali does paintings and drawings as well, but those weren't  really my cup of tea. But 1 particular form (furniture) that stood out for me was this particular display mounted on the wall/ceiling (probably the way they were mounted & arranged had some influence on me).

Personally, I think I very much preferred Charles Rennie Mackintosh's works (interior design & furniture). He's one of my favourite designers especially after my experience with his creations in Glasgow.

It was an interesting exhibit nonetheless.

Alive Gallery

I mentioned earlier that I wanted to go see this exhibition. So as a suggestion put up to our staff welfare committee, a trip was organised to go for this exhibition before it ends on 3 Oct. However, it was quite disappointing.

One main reason was the guide they arranged for us, who totally killed our mood. Her English was bad and she didn't know her stuff (yet pretended to know). In attempts to "make us think", she posed questions of which she had no answers, or even any good possible theories (which could easily have been researched upon). Like, why was a fin not painted in? She gave the answer "I think the artist forgot to paint it".
Think the final straw came when she described the stained glass at Notre Dame Cathedral as "it's from a place that I cannot pronounce the name", and when she was asked where Notre Dame was, she gave an answer like "somewhere" or "I can't pronounce" or something of the like (trying to "smoke" her way through), and when a colleague of mine offered the answer "Paris" (which was probably also written somewhere on the displayed write-up), she could only utter "oh". And so we drifted away on our own.
Granted, she probably isn't a dedicated guide (maybe someone from the resort?) and not everything was written on the script. But I think if she could "smoke" convincingly, we would still credit her for it. But unfortunately, no.
It would have been better if we were left to walk on our own from the beginning.

Ok, forgetting the guide, although my interest dissipated after the encounter, I shall highlight some interesting parts of the exhibition, even though most of the prints were not very well representatives of the originals.
An interactive and interesting part was the talking Mona Lisa, where you could pose questions to the "painting" and she would respond. It was quite amusing. We suspected that maybe someone was hiding behind the screen. I heard it actually wished a colleague "Selamat Hari Raya"!

There were only 2 spots that you could take photos, so I had to take the construction of a life-size The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum (Cafe Terrace at Night). This was what it looked like.

Overall, it wasn't a very big exhibit and given that the price of the tickets was at $17 (normal adult rate), it could have been better, especially with better guides.

Alive Gallery

Saw this advertisement on TV and was very tempted especially since there's Van Gogh's "Cafe Terrace at Night". Find out more here. But it's at Downtown East though. Anyone interested?

Singapore Biennale 2008 (Part 2)

Finally found time to drop by South Beach Development for a look at the exhibits.
On the whole, there were less exhibits and maybe it wasn't the kind I liked as much...think I was more or less going "huh?" at the exhibits. Not many things to excite me really, but maybe it was that there wasn't aircon? And the strange smell of the place. Honestly, I think there were too many video installations there that were, well, like normal short films/documentaries. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like sitting through them. It was quite different when I saw the City Hall video installations. It was visually more artistically done I feel, if you know what I mean.

Overall, I preferred the City Hall exhibits. more interesting & impactful to me...maybe they were more "loud"? And maybe, it was more distinguishable as visual art. Maybe I'm more conservative and a traditionalist towards art. Maybe also becoz I had a friend with me when I went to City Hall?

Anyway, here are some shots.

Artsy weekend

I was kinda soaking in all the visual arts extravaganza over the weekend with both the Singapore Biennale 2008 & ArtSingapore.

I started firstly by catching Burn After Reading on Friday afternoon with a friend. It was quite funny and Brad Pitt was convincing as a himbo and the plot rather funnily silly (in a good way) that had me & my friend laughing through the show. At the end of the show, one can't help but wonder what's the underlying moral of the show, but then again, maybe it's some form of ingenuity that everything seemed so naturally pointless.

After the movie, we proceeded to check out the Central Promontory Site (it's free!) at Marina Boulevard. The space was built by Shigeru Ban, interestingly with containers. There were some rather interesting exhibits, but I liked Location by Hans Op de Beeck. It was really interesting entering into this space to view the exhibition, which was like an igloo, and we had to walk down a white tunnel to come to an observatory to see this display.

There was another that was quite interesting - Between You and I by Anthony McCall, which uses lights to create an illusive space/wall and it moves! So the pattern of the lights changes. It was quite interesting as you put your hand through the "wall" of light. I couldn't get a good shot with my camera phone though as it was really dark inside.

After this site, we proceeded to City Hall where there were really a lot of works! We spent about 2 hours there till about the closing time. some interesting exhibits include Maggots (which were rather cute really) and a wooly installation. There was a variety of types of artwork like video installations, sculptures and photos. Some left me clueless though.

So that's my dose of art for Friday.

After which, on Saturday, I visited the ArtSingapore 2008 exhibition at Suntec. Actually, it was more of a display of works by art galleries for people to purchase/auction for art pieces. I went to the one last year too but I liked this year's range of works displayed. At the end, I felt I still preferred French artists and also Vietnamese ones. I started liking the latter after I saw a really simple, but nice piece of work at Opera Gallery.

Well, that's about I have to write.

Photography...minus the abstract

My friends & I were having a discussion about photography and 1 of them joked that what would happen if a photographer sent in the wrong pics for an exhibition and thus the wrong pics were actually displayed. We joked that, maybe if the theme is abstract, people may just think it's meant to be and go "hmm...interesting" still. "Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome maybe? Then I recalled to them that I once saw an exhibition where some of the photos actually looked like normal out-of-focus photos, where me & my friend just sort of "huh?" about it.

You can think I don't know how to appreciate this kind of "art", but I think sometimes, maybe there's more "smoke" than real skill. Don't get me wrong, coz actually, I like photography, if only the more "real" kind, i.e. not those that are said to express some abstract idea. Well, to me, photography, besides skill, it somehow has to be gripping, and essentially, it is "of the moment". I'm not against abstract, coz sometimes, I also think with an abstract mind, but sometimes, you just feel it's not really that great and the abstract idea may just be "smoke".

Then it occurred to me (well, it could well be only me who thinks that way) that maybe pics of nature are the most real, in a sense. I mean, how do you do "abstract" or fake nature? And nature is so simple, yet mystifying and well, natural.

It also set me thinking. As I thought further, I think photos of nature gives a sense that the world is larger than the photographer, at least that's how I feel. One is taking a pic of something not created by human, but of something shaped & created by God. And usually, in good nature shots, I feel that the intention is to capture the greatness and mystique. The clouds, sea, trees, flowers, etc. are subjects for this. It is quite different from when the photographer tries to impose some kind of idea of his own on you. Hmm...don't know if you understand what I mean. Maybe like for nature/scenic shots, you will first be struck by the vastness of nature first and step back for a while to appreciate it before you start thinking of the photographer. On the other hand, especially those "abstract" kind, you will tend to wonder first "what was the photographer thinking?".

Of course, other kinds of photos I like are those dealing with real issues like disasters, war, etc. Very National Geographic hor?

Singapore Youth Festival 2008 Art & Craft Exhibition

I viewed an art exhibition at NAFA today (Galleries 1 & 2) and I found some of the pieces quite well-done. They were works by mainly JC students & some secondary school ones awarded with Gold.

However, I soon found them disturbing. Art (by youngsters) today is no longer innocent. Looking at the overall theme in their works, I found the context dark and many depicting the darker side of society, life, culture, etc. What are our youngsters facing in our society today that things are so bleak in their perceptions? They seem to be placed in a situation of early maturity and it is sad. you know the scary part? They might not find it bleak coz it has become an everyday part of life.

Maybe I'm too idealistic...innocent in my mind?

Digita Art Workshop (26 & 27 Nov)

I attended a digital art workshop these past 2 days as part of another Bear Fruit workshop programme. Besides interest, it was also partly because I had some spare leave from last year which I needed to clear (or else it would be forfeited). Why not spend it on something useful & enriching? It was interesting; something new to me.

The theme was like expressing heritage through digital art, so we went for a visit to the Children Little Museum on Kandahar Street. It's a private museum of games, toys, etc. of the olden days.

These photos were eventually used as something to work on to create some form of digital art. So this was what I got from my photos.

Of course, there was another piece we were asked to create which required us to draw something on our own. As I am quite bad at drawing, mine was one of those "abstract art" kind of pieces. Well, I guess I work as the thing comes about and takes form on its own...more conceptual stuff.

It was fun to experiment with stuff like kaleidoscope effects, layering, etc. to create my pieces.
We used Corel Painter to do our work, but unfortunately, after conversion to jpeg (from RIFF), you can't really see some of the effects, especially layering, hence some of the texture is lost. But oh well, better than nothing.

Raffles vs Labourers

While being in the vicinity due to the screening of Invisible City, saw this really interesting display along Singapore River put up facing our Raffles statue.

Look at how the statue/sculpture mirrors and contrasts against Raffles' statue. It did look a bit eerie, but it also had some tragic feel about it, like some unsung hero...look at the missing arm. What was really interesting was the inscription on its pedestal.

Here are the words inscribed:

"On this obscure site

and many others

we landed on Singapore soil

since time immemorial

with our labour and toil

changed your genius and perception

from a mere idea to a concrete reality"

And here's the inscription on Raffles':

"On this historic site

Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles

first landed in Singapore

on 28th January 1819

and with genius and perception

changed the destiny of Singapore

from an obscure fishing village

to a great seaport and

and modern metropolis"

As my friend said, it was a reaction to the original Raffles statue. Mark the words & the re-phrasing. Wonder how long it'll be there.

Music As A Muse: Automatic Drawing

After Caroline I strolled about & discovered there was something on at the concourse. It was 1 of those free programmes, held in conjunction with Singapore Arts Festival.


"Batik artist Kamal Dollah creates spontaneous surrealist art to the inspiration of live traditional Flamenco music interpreted and performed by solo guitarist, Indrasani Mursalim." (taken from Esplanade website)

As the guitarist played, the artist painted.

Superstring by Joshua Yang

After the musical, I took a walk around to see what's going on around Esplanade. There was an exhibit going on at the concourse called Superstring conceptualised by Joshua Yang.

The series of works was created using a single continuous line drawn on rolls of canvas to depict the images as seen. Rather interesting as one will need to do some careful planning in order to use 1 single line to draw.

Article on my art installation

Oh dear, the description of my piece is wrong in the write-up of my work in Straits Times today.

It wrote:

"... features several rooms in a house, such as the bedroom or toilet, where people can be alone....to create boxes for the different rooms"

At no point did I mention "house" as my display included other places like a chapel and park, and I never thought of "house" as part of my display. My emphasis was on personal spaces & solitude and I used photos of sceneries! How then can it be in a house? (maybe the chapel looked like a house?)

I understand it might be the reporter's own interpretation, but it misleads people. :(

However, I will give credit to the picture.

Self . Spaces . Shut (Bear Fruit - Designing Leisure)

I won!

Still can't believe it, but I won! Never thought myself to be able to create a visual art piece (well, except maybe photography), not to mention winning a prize, coz I'm someone who can't draw at all - more of a lit & music person. And I did it on my own! Cutting the acrylic sheets, design, everything! It was fun & amazing too, being able to translate my idea into something solid. Did you know that I couldn't properly explain my concept when I first presented it to the provocateurs & participants? Few could get what I was trying to describe. Think it had to do with my verbal skills; I had it all in my head but didn't know how to express it explicitly. I even received a comment that it had turned out very well, especially when it came from the point where I couldn't draw it out at all to the physical thing.

Now I can talk more about the process and my idea after the actual presentation to the judges (previously couldn't organise my idea in a way to describe it properly). It might read a little long though...

Let's view some shots of my piece first...

Inner circumference:

Outer circumference:

It's a bit hard to see the effect from the photos so you need to experience it personally. It runs till 26 Apr 2007.

Basically, the theme is about solitude. The idea was to create personal spaces to depict solitude.

The whole process was very exciting, from my vague keywords to actually conceptualising it into something visible. Initially, I had many keywords and "envelop" was one of them. I was thinking of an "overwhelming" effect that surrounds you and in a way, solitude does that. At the prompting of 1 of the experts, I realised that I was actually looking at the use of spaces. When she said it, I was like, yes! That's really IT! Spaces!

So from there, I went along developing this idea - it was more of a one-track mind thing as my concept never really changed much over the whole process. As I moved along, many ideas of what effects I wanted to use came up. I thought of mirrors, creating illusions, soundscaping, etc. My 1st thought was actually making a booth to "enclose" the viewer, But then reality set in and I knew that with limited budget, I would not be able to make it. Also, it might not be that aesthetic. I thought of soundscaping like playing a note when people walked in to give them that "envelop" effect & prepare them for the experience. Eventually, it was scraped, mainly because of budget & technical difficulties. However, I was glad I didn't use it. It would have crowded out the effect (too much of a thing) and my display wouldn't be as thought-provoking. I think the sound would also have "disturbed" the solitude aspect which normally gives you that quietness, mentally or physically.

Following that, I knew that I wanted to use a see-through mirror and showcases. I had thought of using glass fish tanks at first for my showcases, to put miniature models in them. Then practicality set it. I couldn't really find the right size and as I thought about it, they would be too heavy (for me to carry around anyway, as I needed many) and expensive (our budget was $500). Eventually as I did some footwork, discovered acrylic sheets & I could use different textures & degree of translucency to create my piece, taking into consideration how and the amount of light that can get it, including certain faces which I did not want the viewer to look in.

Then, I had to resolve another problem. This was crucial as my project is dependent on the see-through mirror effect. I was not sure how to create it or if a material actually existed that could actually help me make it. I only recalled I saw some sort of packaging for hard disks last time that had that effect. I searched the art shop but they didn't have anything. So I thought I might have to improvise by using silver stain glass paint. However, the big breakthrough came when I was at Compass Point doing some other things. GOD knows why I decided to enter HomeFix to look for suitable material & there I found the perfect thing I needed...solar film! And it was adhesive! Just what I wanted. And they had different types like reflective or not, colours and even the amount of light that can get through. Imagine my elation. My idea is going to come into being!

Ok, more about the concept. As mentioned, my theme is solitude, and solitude is like being in your own personal space, where the experience surrounds you in the form of a space, physically or mentally, or both. To me, leisure is found in solitude, and it has something to do with being yourself and about yourself in your own time & space. So to bring this out, the layout/shape of the display actually “creates” a space and I have built spaces in showcases to depict places that one can find solitude. I have used miniature models and photographs that I’ve taken for this purpose. I have tried to keep the contents at a minimum like using solitary objects, as depending on the audience’s past experiences and perceptions of leisure or solitude, he/she can interpret each space differently. The minimalist approach also compounded on the idea of solitude. Of course, the things used were rather related to me - a bed, a cafe/pantry, a chapel, a bench in a park, a toilet bowl. Photos used were actually sceneries from my Europe trip that gave me the feeling of solitude and leisure. My father even commented (upon seeing the exhibit) that it felt like it was my room!

Initially, I had wanted to create a half-hexagonal shape, so I would have needed 6 showcases of models. However, I realised the space created for someone to view it would be too small, so I expanded to having a half-octagonal shape using 10 showcases (it's a 2-layered display). Then a problem came as to how I was going to make miniature models of 10 places, and I already had no ideas of what other places (I wanted things that were easy to make lah), so I thought of why not use photos? Hee...it was also a chance to show some of the photos that I had taken before that I felt were quite well-taken (I love to take sceneries). Then I thought, how do I create the see-through-the-box effect (will come to this later)? Then, the use of transparencies came about.

I also wanted a total see-through effect, not just into the box, but also beyond. This served a purpose, like a peep-hole. Let me give a description of the total effect I wanted to create.

At 1st glance from the inner circumference, you will see the mirror effect. This builds on the point that leisure and solitude is about you.
However, the “mirror” is actually translucent, where you can vaguely see through the mirrored surface and view the models or photographs. You can try to project yourself (with some imagination) into the scenario too. This is using the idea of reflection within oneself.
You can also vaguely see anyone who’s on the other side, like an insider looking at the outsider. This peeping effect works too from the outer circumference but there is a difference (for viewer to find out).
Hence, the display actually allows viewing from both sides, but you will discover there are different effects, experiences & even interpretations. Day-time & night-time viewings are also slightly different.
If you really reflect on it later, you might eventually realise that while viewing the exhibit, you have actually become part of the exhibit whether through seeing yourself in it or being seen in it. An "as one", blending-in effect.

So yes, this is my design. I had everything well planned, how to create the effect I wanted, the consideration of light, etc. After creating my props, then came one of my most 'down' part of the whole project - the set-up of the exhibition venue. We didn't know what the set-up would be like until only 2 days before, when we were actually able to see it. You could have seen my dejection when I saw the platform with the lights from underneath. The direction of the lighting totally destroyed the effect I wanted coz the mirrors would have been too reflective (can't see through)! Also, at night, the surroundings were too dark to be able to see my transparencies through the boxes (the venue was surrounded by glass windows). I was like, oh God, how am I going to create the effect I wanted? Then I started to try figuring out how to resolve these problems. How do I reduce the extensive mirror effect that I didn't want? The transparencies? I spent 2 sleepless nights on this. and I finally managed to do it. Thank GOD!

The reflectiveness part was easier. I used black felt to cover the light from the inner circumference to reduce the reflectiveness. Then came the problem of the transparencies. The light from the bottom didn't help much. I needed lighting from the outer circumference, but how? standing lamps? table lamps? I was thinking of the space constraint and the blending in with my exhibit, not to mention the possible safety hazard (if I used standing lamps). I actually borrowed someone's table lamp to try out if it worked and waited till nightfall to test it out. The light musn't be above the height of the showcase or else it wouldn't work. The question also was what kind of light? Thank GOD that I discovered that Ikea had a lamp that looked similar to my showcase which would blend in perfectly. And I rushed down to Ikea the night before the exhibition to purchase the lights.

I tell you, the next day was still a worrying day. Even though I had the lights, I still needed an extra long extension plug & other stuff. My mum told me that the maximum length on market seemed to be 5 metres. So on the day of the exhibition itself, I went in search of the 5m extension plug. I went to Courts first but they only had 3m. After that, I went to NTUC. I asked one of the staff there if they had 5m extension plugs. She said no, they only had 3m & 6m. Even better! 6m! I said I'll take that and can you believe it, it was the last piece hanging there! And also, it was fortunate too as 5m would have been too short (found out after I tried it out at the venue).

On my way walking from Bugis station to the venue, I was still worried. I really prayed to GOD that the lights would really help make my display work. After all, I have not actually used these specific lights to test out the effect. And eventually, all things fell into place & the desired effect was created. Phew!
Here's the write-up used for the display (which pretty much tries to sum up the concept & effect I was trying to create):

"Leisure is about finding and being yourself in your personal space. Places of solitude are represented by objects & scenes that give a solitary feel. The “mirror” reflects that it is about you, also projecting you into the scene. You see too as an insider looking at outsiders (or vice versa), blending in as it blends into you." 
I actually wrote another write-up, a more poetic one, but it was not used eventually...a little abstract lah.

"IN the mirror, you SEE yourself.
Find your space, your mind, your solitude.
Is this your personal space? Vaguely, outsiders pass by, maybe peeping in. But in your space, you peep out, at a distance from the comfort of your world, as one. "

So, what does Self • Spaces • Shut represent? "Self" is about yourself, solitude; "Spaces" is personal spaces; and "Shut" means away from the outside world.

Ok, now comes the comments of the judges. On presenting the prize to me, one of the judges said that they found my work profound, a very well thought-out piece. They could really see the effect of an oasis of personal space and solitude.
I think it was also partly the "mystery" of how I actually built the effect using the materials & what materials that let me win too. Not that all asked, but when I told them, they were like "really?"
Also, not forgetting GOD's help. I believe He helped a lot in giving me inspiration and the whole process of getting the materials. He knew that it was important to me, exploring the arty side of myself. That was why I chose to include a chapel and built it myself, placing it right in the centre of my display.

I guess I was happy not because I won (I didn't know there was a prize at the beginning), but I managed to do it & the satisfaction that I eventually got the effect I wanted. I wouldn't have won if not for the extra lighting coz the effect wouldn't have been created. I'm also happy that people actually liked it and enjoyed the experience.
This was such an enriching experience that I would do it all over again.

Designing Leisure - Bear Fruit project (2)

The presentation was over on Thursday. My concept? The Envelop.
Honestly, I can't draw. So I used a mind map to present my idea in keywords. As it came out, I find myself presenting the concept quite badly (I'm quite bad at presenting verbally...nervous) & everyone was trying to figure out what I'm describing and visualise it. Well, the panel tried to help me a bit, like making me draw (which was a flop) and using paper to create a shape. They tried to prompt me in further developing my idea, sometimes to bring me to be more practical. 1 of them even tried to draw it out for me.
Really, by the time I finished my presentation, I thought "ok, everyone seems to be a bit clueless of what I'm talking about, so my design won't be taken up". However, it turned out that it was accepted, but I really need to fine-tune it to be more concrete to let people see what I really want to do. Of course, I will be getting a helper who can help me draw. Haha....Not bad eh?

After that, my brain started working again & I considered what materials to use and also incorporated some of the comments of the panel to enhance my design.

Yesterday, I was affirmed that the panel actually liked my idea though I couldn't draw it out. Hey! hopefully, they see what I see in my design concept even though I couldn't express it.

This is so exciting. I can do something out of my ordinary life.

The next session will be doing a mock-up of my design. Have to do some research of what materials to use & take into consideration the cost.

Designing Leisure - Bear Fruit project

Recently, I signed up for a Bear Fruit project (1 of many) where we are supposed to design an art installation around the theme "leisure".
It's rather interesting as people from different walks (design students, lecturers, producers, musicians, etc.) gather together to create something. Well, basically each of us is supposed to come up with a concept and eventually, a few designs will be selected and we will be broken up into groups to work on the selected designs.

The 1st session was an intro and site visits (2 places) to try to "inspire" us. Well, I wouldn't say the site visits actually inspired me coz I started forming ideas before we set out & the places are well... We ended up at Clarke Quay anyway at this place called Highlander (where the drinks menu was predominantly whiskey) and discussed our concepts. At that point of time, my idea was quite vague and abstract. I couldn't even explain it properly! Just some thoughts here & there. Amazingly, 1 of the experts (who are like advisory consultants) seem to get what I am saying and gave me some tips (she seemed to like my concept...hope I don't disappoint her with what I have). If she didn't prompt me about the use of "spaces", I think I wouldn't have my current more concrete idea.

Anyway, it was really fun & refreshing to get my creative juices going. It gives me headroom to think about something out of my daily going-ons, to create something. Somehow, I felt exhilarated and feel on-the-go for it, putting my mind into developing the idea my concretely. Although I think my design might probably be over-budget & over-sized, and also it might not express what I mean fully, it's a good & new experience.

This experience has inspired me to take more time to explore my creative side this year...a sort of new year resolution. You might see it as escapism, but it is also development.

Victor Tan @ Esplanade

Was waiting for time to be up at the Esplanade before a concert & saw this interesting display going on at the concourse steps (called As it is...).

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