Category Archives: My Work

Technology, technology, technology!

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For my technology, I collaborated with Simtech. The people who helped me were Duane Lye and Wei Liang. Above are pictures of the first draft. The piezo diffuser is a small device that vibrates water into a mist. The scent comes from majority water and a very small amount of the oil. The whole set up is powered by the powerbank.

Here are the individual parts to my technology. The first picture is the piezo diffuser connected to the water reservoir, second, is the ECG device in a form of a waist band, and the third is where all the rest of the technology is. Below it is a powerbank.

Testing out the set up.

Rain Palette by Dahea Sun

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Dahea Sun, Rain Palette

Background

In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan which triggered a nuclear power plant. This sparked fear of acid rain in the people of South Korea.

Acid rain has low pH and is harmful to plants, aquatic animals, the food we eat and even infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by sulphur and nitrogen compounds from human sources like exhaust from cars, electricity generation, and factories. This affects the purity of air and eventually precipitation. Sun questioned if rain can indicate the quality of air by location and time.

Acid rain affects most of southwestern China and Taiwan, as well as most of eastern Europe, eastern third of US and southeastern Canada.

1908-1968

This graph illustrates the pH level at which each animal may be lost to the acidic environment.

 

How?

Sun discovered that acidity of rain can be measured using anthocyanins, which change colour to red, purple or blue in accordance with the water’s acidity.

She found out that some plants are natural pH indicators as they are rich in anthocyanins. She brewed up natural dye baths to produce textiles which are hypersensitive to acidity in rain and would turn soft hues.

Rain Palette App

Contextual Analysis – Rosewood Chair

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INTRO

This rosewood chair with cane seat was produced in India or the East Indies in the early 19th century.

When the Europeans came to India, they were in need of furniture as the natives traditionally sat on the ground. So they exported their own furniture for the native carpenters as a prototype for them to copy. The natives put in some of their own taste into the furniture which led to the emergence of the Indo-European style.

There are three groups: Portuguese, Dutch, or British.

After some reading I feel that the rosewood chair may fit into the Portuguese group.

INDO PORTUGUESE STYLE

This style consists of two styles: the Northern Indian style or the Mughal and Southern style aka Goanese.

The Northern Indian Style: Involves furniture decorated with inlaid bone, ivory on ebony and other dark woods. Resembles tables and writing cabinets from the Italian Renaissance – a dominant style in Portugal at that time

The Goanese Style: Many pieces are made of rosewood (the main reason why I believe the chair comes from this style). Distinguished by small and elegant pieces, flowery design and a holy cross relating to Christian influence of the Portuguese.

I still feel iffy since the chair does not have flowery design or a cross. I think what makes this chair unique is its arm rest loop.

DAY TO DAY

Early 16th century adventurers had little need for sophisticated chairs. Any decorative chairs they brought with them were for ceremonial use and were used as thrones. They were inlaid with precious gold or silver. This shows that this rosewood chair was not used as a ceremonial chair. It might have been a more day to day chair.

THE CANE SEAT

Early versions of ebony chairs with seats of woven cane were the first examples to reach Europe. Caning was initially introduced to the East Indies by Chinese traders (suitable hard woods there and good for mass production). Rattan remained popular in the East till 19th century and is a characteristic of the dutch colonial chairs.

Sources:

De Dampierre, Florence. Chairs, A History. Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition, 2006.

“Roots.sg.” Www.roots.sg. 2014. Accessed October 10, 2018. https://roots.sg/.

“The Past Perfect Collection.” www.pastperfect.sg. Accessed October 24, 2018. https://www.pastperfect.sg/.

Free writing Additional Details – Rosewood Chair

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From my visual analysis from the previous post, I find that this chair could have been made for someone who could sit back and recline because there is a back rest. The two armrests suggest the chair was made to rest. It’s height suggests it might have been paired with a desk.

After some reading I found out that before the arrival of the Europeans to India, people traditionally sat on the ground level.

The Portuguese found that there was no local infrastructure for the production of the furniture they were used to. They, and later also the Dutch, British and French, filled this need by commissioning Western style furniture from native carpenters.

The Past Perfect Collections, https://www.pastperfect.sg/about-us/indias-colonial-antiques/

Interestingly enough, from my visual analysis, I have found similar traits that my dining room chairs at home, share with this rosewood chair.

3d: Assignment 2 – BOREDOM

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In the above picture, shows how two men in Merrifield’s video, were so bored they were so focused in hanging a pile of clothes on a white rack. Taking this concept, we learn that in order to work properly and efficient, we need to be bored for a certain amount of time.

My product will challenge its user to at the calmest state of mind – boredom – while being visually and audibly stimulated.

First I had to figure out a way to make the paper shine inside the goggles like it does on its own. I realised the paper needs to placed in the cup at different angles and light plays an important role. No light, no shine.

I finalised on this square shaped diamond format. Glued them together and supported by tissue paper underneath. Something light that would drag the goggles down.

My initial idea was to more of a glasses format where a thin piece of metal would connect the two plastic cups and the user would use it like spectacles. I realised it was really hard to drill a hole as the whole cup would just break, so I decided to make a pair of goggles from a piece of cloth.

Using my face as reference, I cut out the holes and drew a smaller circle about a cm smaller. When I fit the cups in, it held the cups tightly in place with tension. I sewed the 4 sides of cloth to stop it from fraying.

As for the light, I used LED lights controlled by a switch and powered by batteries. My father helped and taught me with how to link the wires into place. I shouldered the edge of the cup so that the LED light could be glued flushed into the cup. and my final model!

4d: Library

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The Visit

After visiting the library, my initial impression of the place has not changed. Maybe because I always visit the library frequently and is quite familiar with the place. During my visit, I tried to find things that I don’t usually notice..

i realised that people including myself don’t really sit here or hang around this area… I’m not sure why, maybe because it’s too near the entrance or it’s too brightly lit? or it’s not that comfortable..

I realised this place where it had a sign saying caution low head room. I felt that it was kind of an awkward space because it was not big enough for people and its a space left empty.

I also noticed that maybe because of the colour of the room people find the darker space more cosy than the brighter spaces..

Another thing that struck me were these vents above me that people don’t really notice. It kind of reminded me of a monster’s legs/tentacles? Observing the pattern and movements of the vents left me with my imagination.

Other notable things in the library:

  • people who usually come here keep to themselves
  • very little human interaction
  • people don’t really look at each other
  • surround the place are the roads and the bushes
  • vibrations of busses can be felt or heard when you sit at the bean bag area
  • sometimes foreign construction workers walk pass by the glass window, and it feels awkward or weird when they get close and walk pass you, although there is obviously a glass window

What people say:

Things I want to pursue:

  • Human Interaction
  • Personal Space
  • Human Response to Objects

Ideas:

1. “My Life Depends On You” – human interaction

  • Proposed Location: – study area –
  • Synopsis: Could a life be fully dependant on a group of strangers? Could a group of strangers co-work together to take care – feed, water, clean – a snail? This work comments on human interaction that can take place in a library where often, interaction do not occur. People often keep to themselves, not looking at other people. By putting them in a situation that tests their morality, could a group of strangers work together to create a conducive environment for a snail?
  • Description: This installation involves a set up of an empty container with a  snail in it with only air and little food for it. The container is placed on a table in the middle of the study area. Above it shows a sign saying “My life depends on you”. Below lay materials needed like soil, water, food etc. The work invites the users to assemble a more suited environment for the snail and to sustain in the upcoming days.
  • Sketch: 

 

2. “Heads” – personal space

  • Proposed Location: – study area, bean bag area, computer area, bookshelves –
  • Synopsis: The library is a place where each individual is very much cocooned in his/her personal space. Nobody looks at each other and everyone is at peace. Often when being looked at or a presence is felt, this peace is disturbed, making people feel uncomfortable. This work interferes/interrupts the personal space of the people using its space, prompting them to react to the heads.
  • Description: This work consists of mannequin heads on different parts of the library usually where people sit to their work. Some maybe small hidden in the plug areas, some maybe normal sized staring at people as they do their work. (Not sure to paint them normally or leave them looking unnatural)
  • Sketch:

 

3. “Wrapped” – human/object response

  • Proposed Location: – study area, bean bag area, computer area, staircase –
  • Synopsis: Through interviews people judge the library through comfort level, especially chairs. This work wraps objects in materials that changes the meaning, and eventually feelings associated with the object. It would be interesting to see the reactions and response to the objects wrapped.
  • Description: Objects would be wrapped in different materials for e.g. chair would be wrapped in either aluminium, cling wrap, egg cartons, faux fur etc. Objects chosen would be things that are often used like the mouse, chairs, bean bags, tables. stairs etc
  • Sketch: 

2d: CHANGES

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Mimi said I would have to use my own images if I want to do this execution and I realised I do not have the time to do that. Also my ideas were not strong conceptually and I needed a strong and effective method yet simple in execution.

I also chose the following method to help me draw a clear line as to how much the imagery should help with the idea because the typography should really be the one to help the with the mood and meaning.

I took these examples as my inspiration.

screen-shot-2017-02-16-at-2-54-31-pm screen-shot-2017-02-16-at-2-54-43-pm screen-shot-2017-02-16-at-2-54-52-pm screen-shot-2017-02-16-at-2-55-00-pm

Below are my first attempts for this execution and the feedback that I got from it:

ARCHITECT

architect-5

  • the stars confuse the viewer
  • it makes the think of constellation, astrologist
  • the two As that have heavily dotted lines are too distracting
  • one “A” is enough to be a skycraper
  • draw a real skyscraper as the “I”
  • the colour blue as bg to resemble a blueprint
  • grids, sketches of buildings
  • font is working

FAST FOOD CHEF

screen-shot-2017-02-18-at-3-40-13-pm

  • the design is not working
  • the ketchup stains resemble a cow
  • it is not clear that the ketchup stains are made by the ketchup sachet
  • the burger looks like an “E”
  • symbols are working that people know it’s a fast food restaurant
  • design is too flat

HOUSEWIFE

housewife-1 housewife2

  • it is not clear why there is half brown
  • the circles look like poop
  • should use the texture of the brush to make dust
  • create a home setting by including home items
  • woman looks like a toilet icon

SPY

spy-4 s2

  • looks like detective instead of spy
  • make use of James Bond
  • font is not working
  • looks like broadway
  • try to create your own font

4D: I’m the Roti John Girl and I’m Friends With the Roti Prata Man’s Son

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I chose the first approach: 1) Have a conversation with someone to find out about their way of life in Singapore

So I’m friends with the roti prata man’s son.

I live in Yishun ever since I was born and growing up I was a kid who always fell sick. Up till now, my immune system always fails me somehow. Feeling sick and with no appetite, I would always want to skip meals. However the only thing that I would always want to eat is roti john.

So after visiting my neighbourhood doctor, I would always go to the nearby indian stall to buy my roti john.

Also, when I’m having bad days…or I’m just having a craving or I’m just plain hungry… the answer is roti john.

So after many years, I am known as the “Roti John Girl” to my favourite Al-Malik Stall. I also have made a real good customer owner relationship with the Roti Prata man and his son as I often bump into them in the neighbourhood or their stall. He even introduced me to his cat that often comes up and down from his house to the stall.

One day in NTU, I was on the way home on bus 179 and guess who I bumped into! Malik! (Al-Malik is named after Malik, the Roti Prata Man’s son)

We talked and it turned out that Malik is studying engineering in NTU as a year 2 student. I was amazed and shocked because I often see him working during the weekends or holidays and he always makes my roti john. And he still has time to study for his exams.

It made me curious about his story as I know that his parents are locals from India. He is truly the nicest, most humble and hardworking person I’ve met and he makes the best roti john that had turned my many bad, sick days around to happy ones.

I have contacted Malik and asked about his story in Singapore.

How his parents started out from India to Singapore. How was his life growing up as the son of the Roti Prata man. His challenges in school, friends…NS..and also the things he enjoyed. The life lessons he learnt and what he thinks about life now and his future ambitions. 

I do hope our relationship continues to blossom, and maybe one day he can teach me how to make my favourite roti john.