A reflection

Initially, it was difficult for us as a group to finalise our theme. Firstly, it was on the Public Display of Affection (PDA). Here, we wanted to portray an alternative viewpoint, that instead of capturing images that are the norm, our focus is on our personal take on affection — how ppl show affection towards their family members, religion or even their own hobby.

However, the problem with this theme is that after piecing all the images together, each picture seems to be standing on their own. It doesn’t feel as though there is a common link between all 30 images.

We tried changing the theme to suit the pictures instead but of course, this didn’t work out as well.

Hence, it was back to the drawing board for all 10 of us. Yes, it may be quite frustrating, thinking about how the final sequence would look like. But thankfully, all of us were pretty keen on this exhibition and finally, we came up with the theme of Moments — To share and to Live For.

For me, I was interested in how people spend their moments at the beach. It was the perfect setting to snap some pictures as there were people from all walks of life doing whatever they do best. It was fun, yet after reviewing all the pictures i took, it all seemed to have a mellow feel to it.

A man totally in his own world, still fiddling around with his rod even as dusk is reaching.

Picking seashells with another family member 

 

The pictures above were just alternatives to the theme, but it was the final 3 pieces (in the earlier post) that made the cut. =)

So to my dear groupmates,

It has really been great working with all 10 of you! Thanks for spending time to come down for meetings in school, for being very cooperative amidst the madness during this study break.

Thanks also for taking time off to send da pix for printing, matting, cracking the brains for the new theme and captions, doing up the brochure, and helping me with the blog too.

It’s been one helluva ride~

Good luck for da exams! =)

with warm regards,
Liyana

moments

artist’s statement:

“I look at life outside of the lens and capture the world through it.” — Anonymous

Like a painter, pictures are my canvas; the platform for me to showcase my innermost thoughts and expressions. I try to capture the environment around me, of society and of nature. Photography is thus my avenue to present those captured moments from my point of view.

It is a rat-race out there and while chasing the papers, people tend to overlook the more significant moments in life. How often do we actually buy some time out of our busy lives to actually take up a hobby, spend quality time with family, without the burden of worrying about deadlines?

These images are thus a reflection of how society shares their precious time with those who matters. It is hoped that those who view them would also reflect on their own precious moments.

So the 3 pix below are the chosen one for the exhibition. =)

5. Catch of the day
A fish a day keeps my boredom away.

 

 

26. Big brother
I will follow you wherever you may go.

 

 

 

30. A moment of serenity
I forgot what my troubles were even if for a moment. Your love chased them all away.

Singapore culture

I must add that this entry will be lengthy as it’s possibly one of the

closest topics that I feel strongly for. =)

So, what exactly is Singapore culture? Hmmm. Quite impossible to summarise it in a few words isnt it? Just saying the word ‘Singapore’ itself brings about a few things in mind:

food, the nightlife, a melting pot of cultures and different races (seriously, can u get this anywhere else in the world??), the many2 taxis available on the roads and of course, the fact that people term Singapore as an ‘urban jungle’

However, I feel that there are more to these and that people tend to overlook them. In this entry, I will post what Singapore culture is from my point of view, from someone who has lived here for 21 years of her life, not taking into account the few days that are spent across the causeway for a short getaway.

But before that, let’s examine whether visual media has an impact on Singapore culture, and what (if any) the effects are.

Visual media consists both print and broadcast media. In Singapore especially, it’s typically evident everywhere you turn. Those huge billboards in town, the cable channels people subscribe to and not forgetting the many2 flyers/brochures that flood your mailbox or at your doorgate. The media is a great medium for brands to advertise their products and (not) surprisingly, Singaporeans fall victim to the idea of mass consumption.

Well, this is not necessarily a bad point. Let me further explain this. Take for example the Apple iPod. That itself is a craze in Singapore isn’t it? The advertisements on the funky look and feel of the iPod has landed itself as one of the most favourite must-have item for most Singaporeans. This includes the fad for the iPod video, shuffle, and especially the iPod mini & Nano. So many Singaporeans young and old, the executive or the student, are holding a piece of iPod on the trains, buses and so on. So does that form a sort of Singapore culture?

I’ll provide another example. Let’s consider Sony’s range of Playstation (PS 1, 2 and 3) and the infamous PSP (and the most recently launched PSP Slim). From my own experience, almost all the houses I’ve been too owns at least one of the above products. Interactive media has taken a bold step in Singapore and with the wide array of gaming consoles that’s entering Singapore’s market, it is no wonder that more and more people (whether rich or not) are simply craving for Sony’s latest consoles. I mean, just look around you. When people are waiting (which is also another Singaporean habit – to wait for friends to arrive, taxis to appear and queueing for food), what do they normally do? Most would rather fish out their trusty mp3 players to view music videos or sing silently to themselves, or simply turn their attention to their PSP. Would you call that Singapore culture? I definitely will, for it amuses me that Singaporeans find pleasure in immersing themselves in the digital media technology such that they bring it around with them everywhere.

However, despite these media influences, I feel that there are actually more activities that I would render as TYPICALLY Singaporean.

One, is the infamous KALLANG WAVE. That, I think forms the crux of Singapore culture. It can’t get anymore Singaporean than that! Now what exactly is with this Kallang Wave craze? Well firstly, it gets the crowd moving, and the best time to view this is NOT during NDP but instead, during football matches!

Do watch the clip here for a visual example. This was taken during my trip down to the stadium in January this year to witness the inaugural Singapore vs Thailand match (yes, the one where the thais walked off the pitch).

The noise level, the continued beating of the drums and balloon clappers are all part of the Kallang Wave. This has become so much of a culture that it has brought about many variations, even outside of the Kallang stadium. In other words, the Kallang Wave has become a sort of trendsetter in itself. But sadly, for those foreigners who havent had the chance to be part of this wave, will probably never get to do so for the Stadium will be torn down to make way for a more advanced stadium. The tearing down of the stadium will, in a way, tear down the atmosphere of the Kallang wave, but it definitely will not be extinct. =)

Two, what makes up as typically Singaporean is the fact that the people like to queue for the most smallest of items. Haha.. I’m sure you can guess by now that I’m referring to the McDonalds’ Hello Kitty queue (few years back) and the more recent Donut Factory queue. For the latter, the queues can be snaking long, and it doesn’t just end there! you might have to wait further when you reach the counter just to wait for certain-flavoured donuts to be ready. -.-

The next point will strike a familiar chord in many of us. The fact that Singaporeans go everywhere and anywhere with their pair of SLIPPERS does make up Singapore culture as well to me. Wouldn’t you agree with this? It’s becoming the fashion trend here. And prices of slippers are rising by the minute (just look at New Urban Male and their range of Havainas). Students, especially, fall victim to this. They go to school in slippers when it’s raining and change to their white kiwi-ed shoes later, and those in the tertiary schools make slippers part of their everyday school-going life.

I could rant on and on about this topic, but I do hope the readers get the gist. I am sure each one of us has taken part in the above typically Singaporean practices that I’ve mentioned. =) So do leave some comments !