Thursday, August 29, 2013

Discovering the Arty Farty Side of Me

I have always had my own interpretation of art but I have never really looked into it because I am horrible at art. I mean colors, drawing and sketching that kinda stuff. I can't tell many colours apart and I draw horribly. Anyone who sees what I draw will probably start foaming at the mouth. LOL

This week was a little different. After the very long procrastination, my friend and I visited the Singapore Art Museum and NAFA respectively on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The current exhibition going on at the Singapore Art Museum is titled, "Terms & Conditions".

From the website:

The phrase “terms & conditions” often refers to the fixed set of guidelines at the basis of any official contract or agreement. While these extensive specifications are sometimes overlooked in everyday practice, their implementation can powerfully dictate the representation and interaction between people, entities and countries, as well as set parameters that appear rigid over time. Yet, taken apart, the words “terms” and “conditions” convey fluid and precarious concepts that can, in actuality, be continually negotiated and modified.

Many artists with roots in the Arab world work simultaneously across different geographic, physical and cultural contexts, making it difficult to define and constrain them to specific identities and representations. Their work is thus a result of a variety of techniques, which enables them to navigate and speak within multiple contexts.

Terms & Conditions presents an open-ended debate into how history and social realities are represented, with an emphasis on the Arab world. One of the first Southeast Asian surveys of contemporary art from this dynamic region, the exhibition showcases works by artists with roots in the Arab world. These artists work across different geographic and cultural contexts, and through a combination of techniques, to produce unique artworks that fluidly traverse and defy social identities and representations.

It was interesting looking at all the art pieces and wondering what was the artist thinking when they created it. Do pay the museum a visit since admission is free for Singaporeans. Just remember to bring your NRIC and don't be a goondu like me to leave mine at home. It will cost you 10 bucks for that admission ticket.

Wednesday was NAFA's 75th Anniversary's Opening Ceremony and I just tagged went along with my friend who was invited. *shhhhh*

My friend was saying that the art pieces at NAFA are of a higher caliber and of course, more "deep", which I had to agree. I really had to stand in front of it, stare at it for ages to try and contemplate what is it about. This auntie has got rusty old brain that hasn't been used for quite a while okay...

We also watched a video by local artist, Ming Wong titled, "Angst Essen – Eat Fear". According to my friend, Ming Wong is a pretty famous guy who is known to act all the characters in his movies. As I only watched it partially, I went home and did a search on YouTube to try and find the full movie. Here's the trailer to the movie by him and here's the original full movie.

I still catch no ball as to why Ming Wong wants to redo a movie, acting all characters on his own though. I've tried to read a few articles on him but still no clue. Okay, maybe I'm shallow like that lah.

"Angst Essen – Eat Fear" is about a German woman who marries a Arab man half her age. Due to the fact that he is a lot younger and a foreigner, the woman was viewed as a whore by everyone around her, even her own children who disowned her. Ming Wong's version of the movie made me laugh and isn't as "heavy" as the original. Perhaps he is redoing it to bring the movie to shallow people like me. :p

I also kissed a frog at NAFA!! Local artist, Ezzam Rahman put up a exhibition where we got to fish for a frog from the water and bring it home. Only condition is that we promise to take care of it and we tag our photos on Instagram.

Mad cute right? HAHAH~!

My mom was asking me about the frog this morning and she wanted to throw it away. My reaction, "but mommy, if you throw away my frog, I will never find my prince!" So drama right? By the way, I thought Ezzam is really cute. Oh well. :p

My frog did not turn into a prince though. Maybe there will be a miracle as long as I keep hoping.

Okays, enough for one post now. Till next time. :)