That’s my problem! I find myself being too focus on doing what i think is right… Like how Daniel aptly phrases it, too much focus on the “should”s and the “must”s that the “obvious”s can be neglected. So much for being a perfectionist.
I must learn to cut everyone some slack and that includes myself. Accept (and stop denying) the fact that people have different standards for what’s right.
I must learn…
“Check this out! It’s awesome…”
This was how things got started and eventually have me ending up here typing a post.
According to researches, left-brainers are more inclined to science and mathematics while the right brainers are more arty. I love visual arts and grew up drawing. I’ll scribble and sketch everything and on anything. I have always admired great masterpieces of work and always dreamt of creating one myself. However, as i grow up, my left part of the brain was put to more use. I took on a path that was more science than anyone. While “A” for was for “Art” but I gave up AEP for triple science. Didn’t do well, didn’t regret. But that is not to say that my arts are good considering that my language seldom out perform my sciences. So can conclude that I am a no brainer.
Shifting the focus away from the mentally-challenged me, let us take a glance at how our education system filters the subjects. As students, we are classified mainly into the SCIENCE stream and the ARTS stream. It is from here that we come to learn which are subjects for the arty-s and which are for the geeks. Students rant, “I can’t do science/arts for nuts! I belong to the other.” How true can this be? This mindset sticks with us as we grow older. “I am arty. I see things the arty-farty way.” “Nope, I am logical. Science rulez.” We come to a point that what you have chose to study makes what kind of person you are. For example, I have immediately concluded that I am working with two arty colleagues (one from LASSELLE while the other topped NYP’s mass comm). Being cultured from the dish of experiments and reasoning, I am in for a culture-shock.
Since i am drifting away from where we originally began from, let me route myself back to the start of my flowchart. What my phunky friend brought to our attention was another masterpiece of the hot faves now: LADY GAGA. Here we go… (WARNING: not suitable for minors and conservatives)
So, what do you think?
For me, I got to agree that there has been many deliberate attempts to portray and send certain messages about what the West has been well known for. Eat, drink, man, woman. I meant woman woman is the new in thing? Muscular policewomen who can arouse criminal women to the extend of losing control. Gorging yourself with fast food and eventually kill yourself (even your dog is not spared). Hip girls keep their legs WIDE apart, clan in the minimum and vibrate. And the worse part of all, proving people wrong the wrong way (if you don’t know what i meant, look for for fuzziness when you see our protagonist aptly stay locked behind the enclosure).
No offence. I found no awesomeness other than selfish insanity.
All these in the name of Art??? I think we need some help with the definition of Art. My personal simple definition will be Art is a form of expression. However, there is more to that it seems. The NEW Art is about being different, being unique and being something NEW! Hey, now that sounds familiar! Isn’t it simply making something that SELLs? It will be unfair to say that ALL work of art now are for dollars and cents but marketing now goes hand in hand with art. I have to admit that i lacks appreciation for New Arts. Abstract art? MTVs? Even for great art awards credited to the turning on and off of lights. And the comments from the winner? A song titled “I don’t know what i want”, stating that he has no idea what he wanted to do in his work but eventually won the prize! Err… what form of expression is that? Totally new.
I think the new focus is on this term ‘character’. People look up to artists who are daring enough to market their trademark moves. Oh ya. Speaking of which, what did my other colleague thought of the video? “Hmm… Interesting and new.” Ain’t I too young for culture shock? Amidst of all the disgust, am I too ‘old-fashion’ and conventional? I am at least glad that there are still decent number of comments stating that the video is not very awesome. I find this need for identity very worrying. Are we trying too hard to stand out as individuals? Are we going to the extremes? One reasoning that I still can’t swallow till now is that comment that such crazy movies are what bring about revolution to industries… Here we go again. It’s about industries. It’s about marketing a unique branding and trait. An example quoted was the king of pop Michael. Well, as quoted from my friend, he is not conventional and not very sane but he revolutionized the whole music industry with the birth of MTV! THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT! He made great songs such as “heal the world” but what happened to him? Carrying baby out dangerously, over bleaching of skin, a dropping off nose… Is this the new Art? Have the artists gave birth to this new Art or as the new Art made artists go insane?
Worse. The debate eventually reached this point where such a question was brought up: why must we be in control of ourselves all the time? While we cannot guarantee that we are always in control of our mood, emotions and actions, isn’t it right to best manage our emotion and think as rationally as possible?
Some of the simplest questions have the toughest answers. The next question was “how to we determine what is sanity and what’s insanity?” That got me stumped. Stumped as in shocked. Oh my, isn’t it common sense! The answer will be “common sense”! We have this in build conscience to let us know what’s wrong and what’s right. This is what guide us and keep us sane. While I agree that not all issues are clear cut right or wrong, I trust that the mode is a good gauge of the issue (under the assumption that most have yet to abandon their sanity and common sense). So what are these crazy videos advocating? It’s negative education! It just make us less self-aware and encourage us to do as we like. Please don’t ask me what’s wrong with that. I think this will start a devolution. Perhaps in future, you will see people making love at the road side and you will think that it is fine? They did what they felt like doing. What differentiate us from other animals is our conscience and the ability to think critically. If we are to let go of our conscience, we are no different from any Ted, Dash or Homer.
Call me conservative, no brainer, or whatever you like… While I will try to understand your point of view, I am not oblige to and definitely not enticed to prove you wrong. Literally.
Live withinsanity… With insanity or within sanity? The latter is the obvious sane choice. But the prior seems to be the rule of life for our new artists.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I like the way 2010 is called. Twenty ten. NICE. C=
First and foremost, got to send 2009 away. I am grateful for 2009. If I were to summarize my 2009 in a word, it will be “morph”. Taking a depressing certificate, stepping out of the warm and cosy school environment into the real world.. Met lots of different people. Made different friends, learnt how to be tactical (both in the field and the world of politics) and also, understand that end the very end of the day, what matters most is: YOURSELF.
This may be a crude way to put it, but this is life. You are right. I am no superman as much as I hope to be. Sadly, there’s a limit to how much I can keep on my plate. What you can control is indeed yourself. Especially so when it comes to the REAL world where every step matters. You can spend time helping others.. But will there be anyone to help you when you need it? The answer will be “Maybe” and definitely not a 100% yes. And more likely than not, it is then when you screw up and get all stressed. Definitely not good for health.
But it is also here that i learn how to take a step back and look at problems at a simpler light. Personally, I realized that whenever I encounter a problem, analytical processes set in and starts to over-focus on the details of the problem. It is also here when i tend to get too upset on the matter. By relooking into the issue and try to simplify the matter from multi-dimension to a simple sketch helps to allow adequate focus to the right areas.
So I am grateful for 2009 tough teachings. Sure learnt lotsa stuffs the hard way.
For 2010…
RESOLUTIONS:
1. Take things with as a pinch of salt: learn to expect less and give more
2. Spend more time helping and motivating sis to work
3. Dutifully read my magazines
4. Enjoy and smile
WISHES and HOPES:
1. Everyone will be in the best of health
2. Everyone will enjoy 2010 no matter how bad things can get
3. Sis will do well for O levels
4. Great friendship will not be eroded by time
THANK YOU all for taking care of me!
HAPPY 2010!! Smell the O-R-D!!
In the midst of my sudden enthusiasm in designing, here is my second piece of work…
The exciting part about coming up with a design is always the challenge to be able to send a message to the viewer. Furthermore, especially so in competitions, there are limitations to work with. For this instant, it’s the limit of 4 colours. I used red, orange and white on a black shirt..
This is my short write out that accompanied my design submission..
****************************************
In the brainstorming process, I did some research on ESPRIT designs and concluded that the designs are usually simple, casual yet classy. Hence, I kept these in mind when putting up my design. A total of 3 colours (red, orange, white) were used on a black shirt. I have also taken into account that this design is suppose to be for the upcoming Chinese New Year thus the "Chinese" elements must be expressed in the design. With this thought in mind, I chose to use the Chinese character of tiger "虎" and the 8 red boxes to draw a parallel with 春联 which plays a great potion in design during Chinese New Year. 8 red boxes were chosen as Chinese in Singapore thinks of it as an auspicious number due to its close pronunciation to "发" which means prosper. To cater to a wider market of consumers, I try to incorporate modern and western designs in to allow friends of other cultures to appreciate the shirt. The 8 boxes' position was inspired by modern designs. Similarly, the tiger was made up in a less Chinese style to balance the overall feel. Of course, the brand name has to be eye catching. Thus the tiger was made to pounce on the brand to draw attention to the brand, and also to signify it as "the choice". Hope that you will like this design!! =)
****************************************
HK$5000 richer???
Since sec 3, after stepping out from the Art Elective class, i have hardly touch anything to do with visual arts. I got to say that i love making art but without the time and heart to do it, it will not be as fulfilling.
I have been setting my eyes on a tablet as i am very keen to try out manga drawing via the com. I envy all those really beautiful drawings produced by those Asian artists.
Courtesy of my SOA mate, Zinc (cool name rite??), i managed to get an A3 size Intous 3. Wow!! That thing would have cost a bomb. But since he doesnt use it any longer, he was willing to pass it to me. The only problem was that there’s no pen!! Why worry? Or at least so i thought. Being the main provider to tablet and related products. WACOM should accessories for back products easily available. Well, they should but they dont. =(
So this close chance of almost possessing a workable tablet prompted me to really get one. And in the midst of hunting for the right tablet for me, i chanced upon links to WACOM sponsored competitions. and their prizes contains tablets!!! (Duh!) I am setting my eyes on bamboo pen+touch since it is the cheapest if i were to buy one with my generous NS pay. But say if i WERE TO WIN any of the prizes, i will be able to even get the latest Intous 4 (LARGE) which i am both unwilling and unable to afford.
Furthermore, checking through my mail, i found that in the NTU campusbuzz, there are notifications to competitions!! I shall attempt them one at a time… Muhahahhaa…
I was initially brainstorming and planning how to make an attempt for the 4th season greeting competition where i saw yet another. Hosted by DevianArt and sponsored by WACOM. It was on the theme of DREAMS.
Well, DevianArt is “notorious” for the huge pool of talents and great work pieces put up by various net users, of which contains many pros. So how am i to compete?? Furthermore, the competition is to end TOMORROW!!! I will not have enough time to make out something in the sort time after i book out tomorrow!!
As crazy as it sounded, i just gave it a go. Armed with the pen tool in Photoshop and rusty mind, i set the gears working and try to squeeze out something. Read the terms and conditions properly and tried to figure out some clues as to what the judges may look out for. After a short research, equally clueless.
Dream.. WOW! That’s really a REALLY REALLY broad topic. it can range from grand dreams like saving the world to one’s own fantasy and fetish. LOL. Browsed through the submitted work and concluded with this word… “Random.” Work range from fantasy characters to doodles and even beautifully done pictures of tigers with the tag: “i dream to be a tiger..” ………………………cool………………………………
My dream will be that the world will be a place without sufferings and a personal fantasy will be that to have super power of some sort. Hence, by combining the two idea, i came up with the idea of turning back time and getting rid of problems we are facing currently. Then the next problem will be how to express such abstract ideas such as going back in time?!?! So after much thought, this is my final work. =) I’m satisfied with it at least. I cant picture it winning anything but it is sure refreshing and exciting to try to express myself via a media which i have not used for a long time.
MY TABLET, I”LL GET YOU SOONER OR LATER! Just you wait.. xP
Hahaha! A late tag here..
I have always thought that birthday is just another day. Perhaps due to my low expectations, i have always find the 19 times most enjoyable so far. (though i got to admit i cant remember much of the single digits)
Why enjoyable?
Cuz it’s the day which you celebrate your existence. And of which is verified by your love ones. Via cards, gifts, sms and now the ever convenient facebook, though i got to admit that when it’s too convenient, it mean lesser..
This year, it’s very inconvenient to celebrate birthdays anymore. Guys in camp, girls in uni.. Take for example, this year’s Friendship day just sneaked pass in contrast to the times where there were too much for the hands since everyone made an effort to come up with something.
Furthermore, being in the year end means more distant from the date of graduation. To put it simply, it means time erosion would have taken more effect.. Hence, i was really grateful for everyone who even remembered 19 Oct! Thanks lots!!! =D
And even more so for my really really loveable brothers who tried to surprise me on my bday eve…
They have really really define the meaning of “it’s thought that count”… Their identity will be disclose as we go through the photos.
Here we go!! =)
~my only birthday cakes for this year.. 2 budget swiss rolls + cream which are honestly very tasty. Furthermore, with the company of a toy at the top makes it a very decent gift. Cake and present! 2 in 1. Hahaha!! The guys took the liberty to choose the least kiddish ones already.
~first up, KEKKYZZZzz! All the surprise and gifts are his idea. Thank you so much for remembering and even to the extend of planning this surprise!! This is the man who can make even the most budget things valuable. Say the cake and the card, which is an A4 plain paper!! xD 
~Danny! Helping to light the candle.. Kek’s marvellous idea: blow candle 19 times since it’s my 19th birthday. In the end, we just made it to 10times. Congrats on passing your bike course!!! Wah.. I have always wanted to learn biking but never make it pass my mom. =( Go get a cool black bike the size of a car with many blades hidden within.. yea, you know..
~ and of cuz not forgetting.. MY TWIN!!! Woah! i dont remember having a shot like this. He is also the photographer for most shots. Not forgetting his wonderful magic trick which was the grand finale of the night. Actually, I caught sight of him sitting outside my corridor before they storm in!!! hahaha!
Ook.. more photos..
~my 2 kekkiez 
~check out kek’s mie tui 
~Group Photo.1 
~ Group Photo.2
Magi Yiwei’s magic rubber band! 
Aftermath..
Will also like to thank Jason who wasnt able to come down due to A level’s preparation. it’s coming!!! Or has it already arrived? Anyway, all the bestest!! Read your note in the A4 plain paper card too! Thanks!
Thanks to all!! Take care!! And work work….
