4D Foundation II – G8

There are 8 posts filed in 4D Foundation II – G8 (this is page 1 of 1).

Project 3 – The Library (Research)

During my initial research, I talked to some of the people in the ADM library to get their thoughts on what the library is used for. Among the people that use it just for studying or research, one particular person said that, “it was a sanctuary for her to rest and recharge.”

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Using the idea of the library as a place of safety and refuge was an interesting school of thought, and I knew I wanted an installation that would be fun and give the space within the library a new purpose.

MICHAEL

My initial idea was to hang A2 sized portraits at a particularly black and hidden spot at the library, but in the end, I went with something more accessible and easy to spot. I also changed the name as “chasing clouds” implies something completely different.

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Project 2 Singapore Diary

(I forgot to take pictures of the final product, and I gave them away to them as a gift)

For this project, I approached some of the people in the Harajuku Fashion community and did a photoshoot with them; one set of photos in their “normal” clothes (normal is relative),  and another set of photos in their elaborate outfits. I also took the time to talk with them about their inspirations and such. 

The final artwork is an A2 board with 2 foldable pages. The front cover showcases the people in their normal clothes, and when the viewer flips the pages, he/she is introduced to their more creative outfits.

Celester

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Celester’s style is influenced by movies, one example being “western spaghetti” movies that inspired the above outfit. He sees fashion as an way to showcase in identity and individuality. In his free time, he pursues his interest in music, being the lead singer in a punk band. To him, Singaporeans blindly follow fashion trends, and can afford to see fashion more creatively. (He cites the T-shirt, shorts and slippers look as Singapore’s uniform)

Joyce

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Joyce identifies with the “sweet” style of the lolita fashion culture. She has a masters degree in marine biology, and in her free time, she goes diving. She says that people here have the general impression that lolitas are shallow and only talk about clothes or Japanese anime/manga, and she hopes that this project shows people that lolitas are more than just a pretty face.

Sabrina

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Sabrina has a degree in biomedical sciences, and identifies with the more traditional gothic lolita style. In a free time, she helps relocate stray animals into shelters to help them find a new home. This process is called TNRM (Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage). She likes the lolita community in Singapore, and likes how the lolita culture isn’t just for young people, having noticed that some lolitas are fully working adults and even mothers.

Project 3 – The Library (A visualization of clouds)

 

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Clouds are expressions of the atmosphere’s moods, and can be read like those of a person’s countenance. Life would be dull if we had to look at cloudless monotony every day.

4 A4 framed pictures of clouds will be spread across the table, Participants are encouraged to express their interpretation of the clouds by drawing on the photo frame with the provided whiteboard markers. There will be a dedicated area for them to write their own artist statement as well.

Project 2 Singapore Diary – Research (A conversation about personal style)

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Benjamin Ho is a friend that I’ve made during my years as a polytechnic student. Initially, I did not see him as a particularly fashionable person, but over a few years, I’ve seen his fashion style evolve from something average and without thought to something much more elaborate and aesthetically pleasing. His drastic change in fashion sense intrigued me, which resulted in the following exchange:

Q: How has your fashion sense changed over the years?

A: I started off trying to fit into trends and just trying out whatever that was popular at the time. I progressed from clothes from shops that are easily available with many franchises to exploring Japanese fashion blogs and magazines as Japan was assumed to be the “leader” in the fashion world. Soon after, I found myself exploring more into indie fashion scene; finding individual fashion design labels to coordinate a style to represent my identity, as these individual design labels have really unique pieces not found in major brand outlets. The main point of these clothes from said labels is that it creates a very different silhouette when worn as compared to basic tees and pants.

Q: How did you come across the Harajuku Fashion Walk SG?

A: I came across the HARAJUKU FASHION WALK SG when I made some friends in the cosplay scene. Then it was purely coincidental as I saw some of my cosplay friends on Facebook attending the event on the group’s Facebook event page. And that’s how I knew about and joined the HARAJUKU FASHION WALK SG.

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Q: What do you like about the Harajuku Fashion Walk?

A: I like the vibes and the inspiration that emanates from the event. Saying “vibes” might feel a little corny, but it’s somewhat true. The atmosphere of the whole event where like minded people come together, exchanging styling and makeup tips and also indie bands that we never knew about, is really fun. Also, getting inspiration by “adapting” a style that someone is wearing in the walk, which may pique out interest and kickstart a particular fashion style.

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Q: How do you decide what to wear?

A: I decide on what to wear based on my mood or by what is available in my wardrobe on the day itself. Instead of thinking of a specific outfit, it’s more of a lifestyle that has ingrained in me over time. Nowadays, wearing differently is not for a specific purpose, but rather on instinct and mood.

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Q: In what ways do you think the average Singapore could diversify their wardrobe?

A: For a start. Maybe have more variety of outer wears and don’t be afraid of a little heat. I mean most fashionable pieces are usually coordinated by layering pieces. Also, accessories despite looking small actually plays a really big part in the whole coordination of the outfit as it really shows out the taste and effort of the individual.

Q: Where do you see yourself and the Harajuku Fashion Walk in the future? (5-10 years down the road?)

A: Harajuku fashion walk would probably still be around but it definitely wont be the same as fashion trends changes constantly every half a year. In 5 years time, half the crowd would probably look really different while the other half will still stick to their traditional “subculture” costumes.

Museum Visit: SAM The Bellhop

A Travel Without Visual Experience: Malaysia

Tozer Park

2008

Room installation with travel photographs

My initial impression of the artwork was that it wanted to put the audience into the mind and perspective of the artist; The photos on the wall were taken using a camera flash, which was similar to the way the audience had to use their camera flash to see the artwork. It was only after reading the artist’s statement that everything made sense. I wasn’t too far off actually: Tozer Park went on a 5 day trip to Malaysia while blindfolded and taking pictures using only his intuition. What really struck me was the secondary statement he wanted to say; how people nowadays are too engrossed in taking photographs while on a holiday and not appreciating the actual experience. I’ll think twice about whipping out my phone the next time I’m on holiday.

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Series: “torii”

Shitamichi Motoyuki

2006 to 2012

Photographs, C-type print

I was quite confused at first as I didn’t see the connection between the five photographs. “Perhaps something about the preservation of the planet?”, I initially thought. Reading the artist’s statement really opened my eyes, and I fell in love with the photos. He wanted to show how the Shinto shrine gates have now lost their initial meaning and purpose. I love the juxtaposition between the past and the present.