research – fizah.

Locale | Mount Faber Research

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Research Presentation

Unique selling point

Before this, I had never visited Mount Faber before. So I didn’t know what to expect. However, what captured me the first time I was there were the amazing views of Singapore. One of the best views I have seen in Singapore was from 1-Altitude, which had a panoramic 360-degree view of Singapore. But, the view from Mount Faber brought me back home. As compared to the view from 1-Altitude, I felt that the view from Mount Faber was in a sense more relatable because it showed the everyday humble side of Singapore, rather than the high-end luxurious side. It offered the views of HDBs, condominiums that we as Singaporeans usually see.

Hence, for this project, I decided to focus on Mount Faber’s views as its USP and how Mount Faber’s facilities and infrastructures were structured in a way that centralizes and highlights its view.

Background

How did Mount Faber come about?

Originally named Telok Belangah Hill, in July 1845, the hill was renamed Mount Faber in honour of Captain Charles Edward Faber of the Madras Engineers, who built a narrow winding road to the summit for the installation of a signal station.

Sources from: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_29_2005-01-25.html

What is Mount Faber?

Located in the town of Bukit Merah in the Central Region of Singapore. It overlooks the Telok Blangah area and the western parts of the Central Area
One of the oldest parks in Singapore
Covered by secondary forest – “consists of vegetation which have developed after the destruction of the original ‘primary’ vegetation”, definition from Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
Park size: 56 hectares
Elevation: 106m above sea level
Third highest hill (the highest hill being Bukit Timah Hill, second Bukit Gombak)
Opens 24 hours, park lighting times: 7:00 pm to 7:00 am daily

Sources from: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/mount-faber-park

How to get there?

By car:

The summit is accessible by Mount Faber Road or Mount Faber Loop via Morse Road

By walking/hiking:

The main paths are,

Marang Trail which leads from Marang Road at the Harbourfront MRT station (Exit D)

Southern Ridges Park Connector which connects you from Telok Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park, and Henderson Waves.

By cable car:

Image from: https://www.onefabergroup.com/singapore-cable-car-sky-network/

Board the cable car that will bring you to Mount Faber from either Harbourfront Station or Sentosa Station.

Additional Primary Research: The staffs at the Cable Car Counter mentioned that the best time to take the cable car is from 2 pm – 4 pm.

As a poor Uni student, I have not had the chance to take to the cable car to Mount Faber. I have taken the Marang Trail up Mount Faber and personally, for someone who doesn’t mind hiking, I enjoyed the scenery and experience. However, since young, I occasionally experience mild blackouts whenever it gets too hot and when I overexert myself. Unfortunately, I experienced it while hiking up. Even though I enjoyed the hiking experience, for a more comfortable experience, I do prefer the option of taking a car up.

If you take a Grab up from VivoCity, it would only cost you around $7 – $9.

Facilities

Pavilions

Image from: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/mount-faber-park

In total, there are 17 pavilions in Mount Faber. From my observations, these pavilions are strategically situated in locations that face the view. Here are some photos of the pavilions:

Restaurants

There are 2 restaurants at Mount Faber:

(1) Spuds & Aprons

Indoor Dining Area

Outdoor Dining Area

Private Dining Area

Sources from: Faber Peak Venue Information

(2) Dusk Restaurant & Bar

The restaurant has been featured on Night Owl Cinematics on their weekly food hunt, called Food King. Interestingly, it was shown in the episode that featured romantic dining places with a view.

First Survey Results

After conducting the first survey, the comments given were that the questions may be too broad and that I should highlight a unique selling point. However, as we discussed, I figured that I can use my results from the first survey to figure out what was the pull of Mount Faber. After analysing the results, I concluded that the unique selling point should be the views that Mount Faber has to offer.

Thus, I embarked on my second survey that focuses on the views.

Second Survey Results

My experience

Sight: A lot of trees, nature, walking paths, observation decks, bells, infrastructures, pavilions, CAT

Smell: Fresh air, nature

Sound: Birds chirping, Cicadas, Leaves rustling, Noisy tourists

Taste: After the hike and being under the hot sun, we were really craving for some cold drinks.

Touch: There were so many nice views, that I found myself constantly using my phone to take photos. Here are some nice views I caught.

Project 4 – Research

The start of Project 4 //

To help us with brainstorming ideas for our project, I embarked on a research into some artworks that were related to time.

One of the initial ideas I had was to expand on my interpretation of heaven from Project 3. Thus, I researched on an installation; Citizen “Light is Time”; that I felt could help in brainstorming and developing this idea.

Another initial idea I had was to create a time lapse video in an environmental setting to capture the changes in the environment throughout a day. While searching up on the web, I found a local artist, Keith Loutit, who has done several time lapses project around Singapore.

Citizen “Light is Time” Milano Salone / Milan Design Week 2014

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/103221146

The “Light is Time” installation was developed in collaboration with Tsuyoshi Tane of DGT Architects and watch manufacturer Citizen. The installation features 80,000 suspended main plates, the basic component of a watch, suspended in a vacuum. The art installation explores the relationship between light and time. This award-winning installation was unveiled at Milan Design Week in April 2014.

Subject	The arrangement of the suspended plates is an example of a non-representational subject.
Form	The installation was created by suspending numerous layered plates from the ceiling which visitors can view.
Context	To explore the relationship between light and time through a journey into the world of clocks. Tsuyoshi Tane – “Light is time. Without light the concept of time never would have arisen.” The installation was set up at the Milan Design Week, an international festival of design, in April 2014.
Content	Both emotional and intellectual. Generates excitement and awestruck emotions. Also, the installation prompts viewer to ponder on “what is a watch?”

I found this artwork interesting because at first, I thought it looked like raindrops. As I continued looking at the images, it appeared to look like a small golden plate. It was finally pieced together when I realised that Citizen was a watch manufacturer.

The installation engages the attendees in an immersive experiential journey when you step into the space. It prompts me to try and create something that my viewers can immerse themselves in.

The Lion City II – Majulah, Keith Loutit

Video Link: https://vimeo.com/169993072

This time lapse film was created by artist Keith Loutit. This 4 minute film features the changes in Singapore’s cityscape, capturing buildings being constructed, cars moving, people moving around, trees growing and much more. He hopes to let viewers see places that they are familiar with in a different way. He began his work in January 2013 and the entire project lasted for 3 years, up to June 2016.

Subject	The time lapse film is an example of a representational subject as it features real places around Singapore.
Form	The time lapse of different buildings taken over a period of 3 years were put together into a film montage. The artist used geographic data to position his camera at the same location every time, ensuring smooth transitions.
Context	Showcases people moving throughout the city and the city’s growth which allows viewers to see familiar places in a different light.
Content	Emotional content. It is meant to invoke strong emotions in regards to the growth of Singapore. “I wanted to make people feel that it could be them,” – Keith Loutit, in regards to the movement of people in the film.

Being Singaporean, I felt drawn and connected to this piece. Rarely have I ever stood at one spot and observe how different a place looks during the day and night, how different a building looks as the shadow cast moves throughout the day. I especially enjoyed the moment from 2:13 – 2:15 of the trees growing, even though it was just 2 secs, it had a strong impact on me. Most parts of the film focused on the progression of the infrastructure in Singapore, but the artist decided to also include the progression of nature in our garden city.

A takeaway I can get from this artwork is the relatability of this piece, which allows the audience to have a better understanding of the work. People get excited to see things that they are familiar with. I hope that I can incorporate this into my own project.

Comparison

Citizen “Light is Time”	The Lion City II – Majulah, Keith Loutit
Theme: Time	Theme: Time
Explores the relationship between light and time	Showcases the changes in Singapore over the years
Installation art	Film art
Interactive, viewers go to the physical location where they are to see, hear, and smell the artwork.	Viewers can watch and listen it on any digital devices on the go.
Measured Time – in an actual space that people go to visit	Edited Time – linear time lapse depicting the growth of Singapore over the years

Gaia Research – Ikebana, Taste/Food, Seasons

PS. More posts to come.

Ikebana Research

Ikebana means flower kept alive. The flower arrangement in Ikebana can be a lot more complex than the Western way of arranging flowers. Ikebana dates back to 7th century when floral offerings were made at altars to the spirits of the dead. Later they were placed in the tokonoma alcove of a home. By the middle of the 15th century, Ikebana achieved the status of an art form independent of its religious origin.

Ikebana is a process of creating a flower arrangement in silence, allowing the designer to meditate on the beauty of nature and gain inner peace. Space is also an integral part of Ikebana, where space is not meant to be filled, but created and preserved through the arrangements. This ties into other principles of Ikebana including minimalism, shape and line, form, humanity, aesthetics, and balance.

Below are examples of 2 types of Moribana styles, upright and slanting.

I just have to say, the minimalism is just on point. Personally, I prefer the slanting style because it is completely different from any other flower arrangement styles you see. As much as I love flowers, I feel that some Western flower arrangements are just overloaded with flowers. Ikebana has a perfect balance between the flower pot, branches and flowers. It just exudes it’s own gracefulness and minimalism in each arrangement.

Taste/Food Research

I decided to explore some Japanese food since my overall concept that I was going for was Japanese.

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, some of the food that comes into mind are: sushi, curry, ramen, tempura, takoyaki, mochi, sashimi, seafood, soba, etc.

Warning: Photos below might make you hungry. You have been warned.

In a lot of this Japanese food, you often see the use of soy sauce which adds a salty flavour to each dish. For example, dipping sushi into soy sauce or seasoning for ramen. Soy sauce is an important part of the Japanese cuisine.

Also, Japan is known for its green tea. They have created countless renditions of green tea such as, matcha ice cream, matcha coffee, matcha mochi and many more. Green tea is also usually served before or after a meal in Japanese culture.

Japanese Winter cuisine

Some food that Japanese eat during winter are oden, yosenabe, ramen and sweet potato. Because of the cold season, the Japanese tend to prefer hot, soupy dishes and avoid cold dishes. I believe this is probably to warm them up. During winter, some seasonal fruits that also becomes popular are apples and citrus fruits (yuzu, oranges).

In yosenabe, you see a lot of different ingredient in one bowl. To me, I feel like the dominant could be the prawns because of its bright colour and size. Another possible dominant could be the vegetables. The other ingredients could be the sub-dominant. The subordinate could be that pink ingredient.

The dominant in this udon would have to be the noodles. The sub-dominant being the brown sauce and subordinate is the green onion sprinkled on top.

Season Mind-map

References

https://www.ftd.com/blog/design/ikebana

http://www.ikebanahq.org/

https://www.japan-zone.com/culture/ikebana.shtml

Research on Mark Making

Never having taken Art, mark making is a new concept to me. Hence, I embarked on a research to find out more about mark making.

What is Mark Making?

To describe different lines, patterns and textures we create in a piece of art.

Automatic Mark Making Techniques

Creating art by suppressing conscious control and allowing the unconscious mind to take over the creative process.

Examples of Automatic Techniques:

Decalcomania –a piece of paper or glass is laid over a painted surface and then removed. This action creates suction, pulling at the paint to form a scaly, biomorphic texture

An example of a decalcomania artwork is Max Ernst’s Europe After the Rain, 1940-1942

Frottage – a technique of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface as a basis of art

An example of a frottage artwork is Max Ernst’s The Entire City 1934

Picture from: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/ernst-the-entire-city-n05289

Fumage – impressions made by smoke of a candle or kerosene lamp on a piece of paper/canvas

An example of a fumage artwork is Wolfgang Paalen’s Fumage 1937.

Picture from: https://www.wikiart.org/en/wolfgang-paalen/fumage-1937

Grattage – technique of scraping wet/dry paint from the canvas using a blade (palette knife/spatula)

An example of a grattage artwork is Max Ernst’s Forest and Dove (1927)

Picture from: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/g/grattage

Torn Paper Collage – torn up/cut up paper are randomly placed on a sheet of paper which are then glued down or using torn up paper of an image which is then placed randomly according to the fall of the paper

Sand Painting – glue is randomly smeared on canvas then sand sprinkled upon it. After it dries, it can be further manipulated using brushes/knifes

Froissage – crushing a piece of paper then smoothing it out. When soaked with paint/ink, the creases takes up the colour, creating a veined effect.

Artist/Artwork References:

Gunpowder Drawings by Cai Guo-Qiang

Cai places sheets of specially made paper on the floor and sets up gunpowder fuses and loose explosive powders to create silhouetted forms on the canvas.
Once the setup is completed, he ignites a fuse at one end of the work.
With loud bangs, the ignited gunpowder rips across the surface of the paper, lighting the explosives according to the form that was created.
What was interesting about his work was that he demonstrated his interest in the relationship between matter and energy in which matter; referring to the gunpowder; explodes into energy; ignition of gunpowder and explosive; and transforms to matter in another state; the charred drawing.
His work displays charts of time (time taken to setup the gunpowder), process (igniting the gunpowder) and transformation (how the gunpowder transform into a charred drawing on the canvas).

Yves Klein

Best known for his trademark ultramarine pigment, which he patented as International Klein Blue in 1961
He created anthropometry paintings, for which Klein smeared nude women with blue pigment and used them as human brushes on canvas. Sometimes this process was displayed in elaborate public performances.
I found that this method was very intriguing, even though it is unconventional or controversial. I thought of exploring the idea of using the body to create mark makings, for example, using my feet, elbows, hands, etc.
The idea of using an art piece as a form of performance was something that I think adds a new dimension to the artwork. Not only does it become a visual art, but it also serves as a performing art. The act of engaging the public to view the process of the artwork, I believe allows the audience to understand the process and actual art itself better.

Mark Making – Artist Reference

Doing some research on some artists such as Cai Guo Qiang, Cy Twombly, etc.