Turning Points in Life :
In class, I have shared the two most important turning points in life that directed what I am doing now and what I am interested in.
1) Breaking Expectations
The first major one would be breaking the expected route of continuing my studies in the Islamic religious field. I was a student from one of Singapore’s Islamic/Arabic schools for 10 years and it pissed me off how the community expects us to do or act a certain way as a ‘Madrasah’ student; e.g. pursuing a degree in Islamic studies or becoming a religious teacher.
In my class, I was the only one pursuing something that I had interest in as I ignored the judgemental looks I got when I mentioned that I attended a ‘design’ school. What saddens me is that the kids in the religious field now will always think that, that one expected route is the only path for them when they can pursue whatever they like.
2) Problem to Passion
Another turning point is when there was a trend of blogging our daily lives back in the past using blogger.com. I was a frequent blogger but I had no knowledge of creating or even editing my ‘blogskin’. Hence, I always used ready-made templates from other users. It annoyed me how I could not change certain elements that did not fit the aesthetics of my blog.
When my brother joined Interactive Media Informatics in Temasek Polytechnic, I chanced upon some programming and got hooked to the design section of that course. Thus, I decided to enrol Interactive Media Design in TP. Now, I am able to create my own sites and even pursue a career as a web designer. It is fulfilling, as if I have achieved something in life.
General Ideas
I would like to work on something that resonates myself and also a theme that allows space for a shared experience. Kristy had recommended me to look at several Islamic Art and Design exhibitions as a starting point and I was inspired by these topics/themes for my FYP project.
1) Breaking Stereotypes
“Anyone who sees me, what will they think of me?”
The negative stereotypes that accompany our appearance always made us think that we need to change how we look to fit into the society. Especially when our goals and dreams are being restricted due to that.
Is it easy to break a rooted stereotype?
What do we have to identify to break the stereotype?
How does stereotyping impact your life?
Possible concept :
How the society serves as a ‘mirror’ that reflect images of ourselves.
People shaped their self-concepts based on their understanding of how others perceive them. They also form their self-image as the reflections of the response and evaluations of others in the environment.
2) Lost of Cultural Identity/Tradition
In a time where traditions are often deemed as irrelevant in today’s modern society, how significant is it to preserve such traditions?
It is sad when commercialisation and gentrification have stripped away cultural identity. Some neighbourhoods no longer has the same ‘spirit’ like they had in the past and some cultures are completely forgotten that youths nowadays have not even heard about them.
Example : Wedding Ceremonies
Due to influences from the western countries, wedding ceremonies nowadays do not really represent their culture (white gown and suit & tie, garden-themed decorations, catering).
A Malay wedding is one of the most notable and lavish occasions in the Malay society. It is an occasion where we can witness the most important element that brings us together as one community; the gotong-royong spirit (communal helping of one another).
