Reflection

Reflection

Through the process of choosing a topic to selecting an individual object and linking it to the focus of the topic, I learnt quite a lot in terms of how to work as a team where each member with different mediums come together to put up an exhibition proposal. Initially, I felt rather lost as my group members and I had different ideas and directions that we would to take and it is quite hard to decide which is a better or interesting option to go for. However, through the weeks with a few group discussions, we managed to nail down a focus point in our broad topic of Mapping Asia.

With a focus point in mind, it makes it easier to know what to look for and I managed to find an Indian’s 19^th century leading academic painter of the Modern Indian Art Movement, Ravi Varma. However, he made several paintings of different themes, which made it difficult to decide which painting would be more suitable for the topic. Thus, after several readings and fact-findings, I was able to select one of the themes from his collection of paintings to put it as an object for the exhibition.

When it comes to the making of the miniature for the exhibition proposal, again, we had different ideas as to how we could it layout in the museum. After presentation and consultation, we had a discussion on how to make our visualization work as a miniature and we still have different ideas on how to make it better and more engaging. Even after we made the model, we ourselves have suggestions as to how we could improve to make it more effective. In addition, with suggestions given during our model/miniature presentation, I felt that the feedback was useful as there is things mentioned that I have not considered and thought of. The feedback session is something to remember for future projects and assignments.

In conclusion, from all the discussion we had from the beginning to the end, I can see progress that my group member and I have made and how well we have worked as a team to make it happen. As an individual, I have gained more knowledge on the British Empire and their influences on India and Asia as well as the method to write an object label, catalogue entry and wall text.

Process (Testing of hanging panels & lights)

Final Display &Close Ups

Week 8

What was your favourite object from today’s visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum?

All the objects that were introduced during the visit were all interesting and unique in their own ways(culture and stories of their history). Among of these, I was attracted to one of the textile artifacts from Yunnan,China. The motifs were used to ward off evil spirits and it acts as a protector which could be related to modern times where people wear amulet or pendants instead. The idea or culture of it still exist today just of a different form. The motifs are of intricate design which could be mistaken otherwise if one does not know anything about it before reading the object label.

Week 7

If you could have a room of your own, how would you set about decorating it? Chinoiserie? Japonaiserie?

Based on personal preferences, I would go for Chinoiseries as they have pretty floral patterns and similar patterns could be found in today’s context such as clothes and wallpapers. It doesn’t come as a foreign style which made it easier for me to embrace it. If I could have a room of my own, I would decorate the interior with the a more modern blue Chinoiserie look that gives off a calm and oriental feel to it. Below are some references.

(Combination of the blue Chinoiserie patterns into the room.)

Week 6

What is a family portrait? What are some famous family portraits? How would you take a family portrait now?

Family is a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage. While portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. Thus, family portrait is an image of faces that comprises of people who are closely/blood related to each other.

Based on some examples of famous family portraits, I realised that family portraits reflect the family’s relationship (between each member) and the hierarchy within it. It does not reflect all the good instead, it shows the nature of the family.

In modern days context, rather than going to a studio (which has a stiff atmosphere) I would take a family portrait at a place where my family usually gather and create lots of memories. In this way, I feel that it contains more meaning and this create additional memories to the place as well as to the photo.

Week 5

How have artists made us think about labor? Share with the class an image or a article that brings up this issue of labor.

Based on last week’s presentation on the portrayal of the Samsui women, artists present scenes of them at work where it showed how these women handled tough labour under weather conditions as they earn money to support their family abroad.

Artists integrated materials such as granite or paints of different hue and tone to convey and depict the tedious life of labour. Through the perspectives of the different artists, it made me reflect on labour in the present and current context of how the society take labour workers for granted with thoughts that they are just doing their job and thus, only giving a little appreciation.

In conjunction to the SG50 celebrations, the Labour Movement released a collection of 50 Ways The Labour Movement Shaped The Workforce, which shows the milestones and improvement in labour force.

Week 4

How does Allan Sekula’s engagement with the sea, help us to think about trade in the 16th century? Link images or articles that you see relevant to this question or your reflections.

Allan Sekula’s Fish Story documentary on globalization engages his research with the sea where he mapped the world economy through the exploration of world maritime trade and the historical, sociopolitical connections among port cities.

His studies link to the history and beginning of trading where people from different countries gather at the port to trade for spices and other precious goods as well as the expedition of the oceanic trade routes to discover the unknown (countries).

http://monoskop.org/images/8/86/Sekula_Allan_Fish_Story.pdf

Week 3

In week 3, we learned about Catherine of Austria and herkunstkammer. Who is a another female patron of the arts? As you reflect on this question, remember to link any images or textual sources to your journal posting that might relate to this question or your thoughts on it.

Another female patron of the arts is Empress Josephine de Beauharnais; the first Empress of the French, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She is the first female sovereign collector in France and her art collections consist of paintings, sculptures and porcelain.

Chateau de Malmaison

The place where the Empress took residence in and had her art collections kept.

Josephine: The Rose of Martinique – Page 351

Week 2

How have your images of Africa changed after today’s class on African ivories?

Initially, my first image of Africa was poverty instead of their vibrant culture, as they are infamously known for it in the recent centuries. However, after today’s class, I was amazed by their history of craftsmanship with ivories and their knowledge and traditions in art aesthetics. Like any other countries, Africa has a rich history and mastery in art (culture) that is continuously brought till today in daily lives as well as in festivals.

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/history/a-humble-trailblazer-meet-mary-alexander-the-first-african-american-woman-to-appear-in-coca-cola-advertising

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/a-complex-self-portrait-of-africa/?_r=0#slideshow/100000003652382/100000003652390

Week 1

What’s ‘art’ for you?

Art is a dynamic medium that allows me to express words/senses in different forms. It is an expression of imaginations and creativity which allows the mind to think freely without boundaries. It also enables emotion that are hard to express through words to be conveyed easily.

Does colonialism exist today? If so, in what form?

Colonialism still exist but in a different context from the past. An example would be the exploitation of third world countries for their cheap labor.