Blog Assignments: Singapore Biennale 2008

Overall, I think the Biennale is a huge success. It shows diversity and gives tribute to the international Art scene. As you know Art is very much underrated in Singapore, hence with the increasing emphasis recently, by the government, to promote the local Art scene, it is giving the local Arts a voice in the international platform.

In the Biennale, the art pieces all have very strong concepts behind it and through the use of different techniques. The artist’s concepts are conveyed through surrealistic and conceptualistic approaches. They invoke us to question the world through their art and at the same time aesthetically entertain us. The process is both an enriching and entertaining one. Furthermore, the exhibitions brought us to local venues we would have not visited at all, such as the inside of City Hall and South Beach Development building.

There are many successful works in the Biennale, such as the Felice Varini Project: “Drill Hall” and the ‘I’m Not Expensive’ installation. And the most successful, in my opinion, is the ‘Bachelor - The Dual Body’.

In a dark room with nothing but a book floating in an aquarium of blue water, it catches anyone’s attention and blows everyone away with the impact of this installation. Everyone would be entranced by the book dancing around in the tank. I was blown away by it when I first sees it and my impression of the meaning behind it would be something like, the book epitomizes the past literature art while the blue tank symbolizes the modernity of it. I thought it meant that art is still present in the present but it is floating around loosely without anyone fully comprehending it. Furthermore with the fading text, it shows that art is losing its ground in the modern world.

The artist’s interpretation was something not too far away. The philosophical book is loose from its bearings due to the waves of globalization.

On the other hand, there are always some not very successful installations, such as the ‘Flight’ and ‘Lightlines’. But I guess the least successful one would be the three channel video installation ‘El naufragio de los hombres (The wreck of men)’. Without reading the description of the exhibit, one would be confused with what the artist is trying to portray with the images. The place was eerie and the shadow figures moving on screen are creepy.


Even after reading the description of the exhibit, it does not seem to help much in understanding the images. I think the artist meant to portray the problems of global warming with the solitary figures standing on ice bergs and in a vast empty landscape. Overall, the images was not very impressive and when you thought more would be shown to further enhance the experience, you are given another same shot and you just further question, why the need to stay in that room any further.

Blog Exercise: Analyzing a Picture

Picture taken from justjared.com

This commercial photograph is for a Marc Jacobs advertising campaign. Victoria Beckham, the new spokesperson for Marc Jacobs, is shot in a series of pictures depicting her as a doll in all forms of Marc Jacobs merchandise and shopping bags. The photographer’s intention is to depict the consumerism lifestyle of society. How everyone wants to be like their favourite celebrity. It mocks at all the attention focused on the lifestyles of the rich and famous. As the other pictures from this campaign shows, Victoria Beckham is acting like a doll in all the Marc Jacobs’ shopping bags. To further make her look more vulnerable and doll-like, the top down camera view is used. The photographer makes the viewers look through the picture (Realism), at the picture (Formalism) and beyond the picture (Expressionism). Being a style icon, everyone wants to be like her, hence the portrayal of her in a shopping bag. The lighting is over Victoria Beckham, shedding little and less obvious shadows. The picture is also slightly over exposed to give a humorous shock effect. With the appropriate pose of Victoria Beckham, it shows how Victoria Beckham is caught in the act of trying to escape from the shopping bag. Her darker skin tones and hair colour is used to give contrast to the almost white picture. This brings the viewer’s eyes immediately to Victoria Beckham, which is the subject of the picture. Her awkward poses are also apt since people have the impression that dolls have stiff joints, further enhancing the doll persona. The framing is obvious, with the key subject in the middle. The lack of colour gives it a more serious and posh appeal, however if the images are shot in black and white, then the impact would be lost. The texture is obvious, giving it a more catalogue feeling. It makes the viewer feel like he/she is flipping through the magazine and saw these pictures.

Overall I think the photographer has done well in executing the images and portrayed his intended messages.

Assignment 4: Urban Fantasy (Take 2)

Hi, as some of you might know my theme is consumerism. Hence I would like to stick to it and make it more surreal... Basically what I am trying to say is the brands and labels glorify your image (the angel wings) however they tie you down as well (explaining the ribbons) and also the brands are acting as a second skin on you...

Anyways I wasnt sure what kinda of background I should use... the initial plan was to make everything black and white.... but when I added the 'Blue Label' ribbon at the bottom, the effect would be totally lost in black and white... hence I decided to stick with color... however a plain white background might look bad... hence i decided to use some other pics or paint my own background... so suggestions pls...

Feedback: Anyways here are some of the feedback I got. Basically it does not seem surreal enough. Some commented maybe it might look more surreal if the picture was turned upside down. Another comment was this was more suitable for the Final Assignment. Hence it might be better if I start afresh or work and improve on my previous concept on Princesses.

Blog exercise 2

Credit: http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10315524/SP--A/IGID--847209/Honey_is_Sweeter_than_Blood.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=24105&ui=46F944D6BD594671A13A884512BB3B25

Created by renowned Spanish artist during the Surrealist movement, this portrait evoked the imagination of all who lay eyes on it. Titled ‘Honey is Sweeter than Blood’, this image is both beautiful and haunting.

Using the naked body of a woman, it showed the narcissist in all humans. How we all strive to look good and achieve a status of the gods, eminent in the heavenly backdrop of the image, regardless of any price we might pay. The skeletal left hand and the imperfect abdomen, signify the ugliness in these beautiful pursuits. The stand supporting the body underneath the right underarm, also signify how earthly roots how we need to be grounded despite in such a holy world.

Her head and her left shoulders are fading most likely signifying the loss of the individual self and identity in the endless pursuit of material satisfaction. The centaur looking figure at the top right hand corner of the image with his back facing the woman might signify the lack of social support in this new industrial age. Everyone is together physically but not socially. The laggards would only be left behind with the passing of time.

The trees on the clouds signify the reality in this abstractness. Reality right now might seem like a dream but it is impending if nothing is done to prevent it.

However I might not be accurate in trying to portray what the artist originally meant. But I guess that is where he is successful in his surrealistic portrait. The image is so well drawn, that it resembles a photograph. The artist is a genius in his work and social insight.

Assignment 4: Urban Fantasy/Surrealism (Take 1)

This week's assignment was on Surrealism and the theme was Urban Fantasy/Urban Phenomena.

My interpretation of Urban Fantasy was magic in an urban real world. Hence the first thing that came to mind was Disney's Princesses. I wanted to use them to portray consumerism in society. Snow White came to mind first. I used the Apple iPod to replace the poisoned apple that killed Snow White. The song playing on the iPod is 'Toxic' by Britney Spears but it seemed to small to be noticed but I generally wanted to use current brands to portray consumerism and using the princesses's signature scenes to beautify it.

However I am disappointed with my picture. It seemed to lack the wow factor. And I think it looked alittle boring and abstract for some people.

Final Picture!

Snow White

Picture Breakdown:

Here is the second picture for this assignment. I call it Cinderella because she inspired this picture. I originally wanted to put both Snow White and Cinderella together in one picture but I worry and think that it might be too messy. Hence I decided to seperate them. I think what I am missing is a clock or something that is more significant for Cinderella.

Cinderella

Picture Breakdown:

Assignment 3

For this assignment, we were to portray certain techniques through our photographs.

Perspective

Aperture: f/4 Shutter Speed: 1/13 sec ISO: 1600 Focal Length: 17mm

This shot makes the bridge looks longer than usual. However I think this picture lacks something to elongate at the centre.

Zoom Shot
Aperture: f/22 Shutter Speed: 2 sec ISO: 200 Focal Length: 17mm

This is a shot of the newly erected Christmas tree at the top of Vivocity.

Close Up
Aperture: f/14 Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec ISO: 800 Focal Length: 60mm

This was taken at the Botanic Gardens with a 70-200mm lens.

High Key

Aperture: f/29 Shutter Speed: 1/20 sec ISO: 200 Focal Length: 38mm

This was taken at the new NUS Guild House. It was one of 10 short white statues against a white wall.

Low Key
Aperture: f/4 Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 135mm

This is my favourite shot so far. Using a 70-200mm lens, this shot was taken at night on the roof top of Esplanade building. I took multiple shots but only a few turned out well. This is one of the very few that turned out good.

After all the technical aspects of photography, we were given our very first conceptual photography assignment this time round too. The theme: Symbolic of the Sun.

Symbolic of the Sun
Aperture: f/32 Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec ISO: 800 Focal Length: 60.0 mm

Basically I wanted to use a common tool, the umbrella, to depict that we not only use them during rainy weathers but also under a bright hot sunny day also. The umbrella symbolises the Sun, and the rain.

Assignment 2B: CNM class activities

Aperture: f/4.6 Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 17.0 mm

Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 17.0 mm

Aperture: f/4.6 Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 17.0 mm

Aperture: f/5.0 Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 17.0 mm

Aperture: f/6.4 Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec ISO: 400 Focal Length: 53.0 mm

Basically these are my 5 best shots from the class activity. It was Miss Jing's NM2208 class on Monday 12-2.

Overall I think the problem encountered was the space. The classroom constraint our movement. We could not move around and take pictures without interrupting their discussions held at the back and front of the class simultaneously. Furthermore the majority of the crowd is seated quite a distance from the presenter therefore there are some difficulties encountered trying to capture both the audience and the presenter into one picture. Thus framing problems were encountered.

Most of my pics are taken from the front because I was in a corner and trying not to interrupt the class discussion with my movements, I took most of my shots there. Most of the shots see people walking up close to the boards and discussing among themselves. These were taken after the class when they were allowed to walk around to discuss and view other people's work.

The lighting was rather bad as well. Hence much was done to the pictures to bring out a better contrast. I also wanted to put in more emotions into the pictures, hence my best 5 shots show a form of emotion.