Bauhaus Shapes & Colour

The Bauhaus movement is one that is based on simplicity and streamlined aesthetics. It has influenced a lot of modern architecture. As such, I decided to create a visual that represents a piece of architecture. Due to the minimal shapes that I used, it can be hard to tell but the piece of architecture in the image is an escalator. An escalator at MRT stations to be specific. The yellow circles represent the heads of human beings “standing” on the left side of the escalator which is a culture in Singapore that I really admire. It is as if there is an unspoken rule that all citizens have to stand on the left of the escalator, no matter where, if you refuse to climb up or if you are a little slow. The government never set such a rule but it is in our nature to behave such a way. One of the nice things about Singapore’s groggy and angry commuters.

DADA

This piece was created on Photoshop to represent Singapore’s “kiasu” culture. “Kiasu” refers to the grasping attitude many Singaporeans tend to have. Most of the time, we are always rushing to grab the opportunity to do anything at all. In this case, it is to get seats on the train. Yes, we do queue up while waiting for the train but once it arrives and the door opens, all hell breaks loose (especially during rush hours).

Pushing, squabbling, you name it. The opened mouths and random legs and hands represent that. “TSK“, I hear over and over again as people start getting irritated by one another. I used typefaces commonly used in old Dada posters as researched. Lastly, “majulah” as in the phrase “Majulah Singapura” meaning “Onward Singapore”. This “kiasu” culture is not the most admirable but will remain a part of Singapore’s culture today and onward.

This was how I made it: