MINing of Life

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

M.C. EscherY

Mid-year examinations are still on-going, however, I'm considered lucky that tomorrow is a public holiday (Labour Day) and I do not have to take any paper on Friday, hence I've the next 4 days to prepare for the rest of the papers I'll be taking.

Of which, it's of course the "faithful" art paper.

It's kind of a irony that I'll be doing the practical paper alone (as an art student) in the same classroom as the rest of my classmates while they do their theory paper on DnT. Won't I disturb them? Like... what if my water for painting spills... or... I start speaking to myself or observe people around me (like I always do) in the midst of the paper?

Anyway, the theme given is "Space", and I was supposed to start preparing 3 weeks ago. Gosh, I still have no idea what I want to do for my final piece, how am I going to work on my supporting studies, which I'm suppose to be at least three-quater done by now but I haven't even started??? There're so many limitations, how am I going to produce something I call my inspiration? Must I really make use of the techniques which I don't really like that I've learnt the first half of this year? It's not my style if you're talking about personal style of an artist. Daddy said that I should just hand in a blank sheet of paper because that IS Space. Many others agree too! It's a little ridiculous, but, hey, art is about interpretation, it's how each individual have his or her own opinion on an artpiece, you can't restrict me or throw in other ideas to flush my initial creation?!?

Well, I've been trying to search for books of M.C. Escher, an artist who was really bad in his academics but creative in artistic ideas which even wow-ed the mathematicians. I'm sure many of you will find his works cool, interesting and really, I mean physically out of the box.

He created many impossibilities.
One of which is the necker cube, also known as an impossible cube:

He impressed the mathematical world with his creation of tessellation which was said to have "precise accuracy":

Sky and Water I

And of course, he was best at playing around with space.
Using optical illusion, he came up with many "never-ending" works.

Drawing Hands

Ascending and Descending

Check out his video I found on youtube. It's quite funny really if you put yourself into the structures in Escher's pieces.

For more information on this oh-so-cool artist, visit his official website at:
http://www.mcescher.com/

8:05 pm;

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Monday, 21 April 2008

Maha Bodhi coincidental mini reunionY

Gosh, I really couldn't believe that the world is this small, actually to be precise, the east of Singapore is this this this small.

Bernice and I were on a bus, heading towards Bedok Interchange. On the way, ChongSwee (not sure how you spell his name... sorry) hopped up the bus we were in. Well, this wasn't a coincidental meeting. He was to accompany Bernice to her tuition class. Fine.

I guess that was probably the first time we ever talked though we acknowledged each others' existance when we were in primary school, just like Michelle, Bernice, Estee, Ryan Lai (TKsians currently). He said I looked smart because of the frame of my spectacles? ok~

So the 3 of us were then on Bus 66 after switching at Bedok Interchange, heading towards Bernice's tuition centre at reservoir area.

As they got down at their destination, I wanted to wave goodbye to Bernice, however, her attention was somehow drifted away by some persons. I looked in the direction she was facing. To my surprise, it was Peak Deng and Ying Ting!!!

I really couldn't get over it. (It refers to suddenly seeing Peak Deng and Ying Ting!!!) I told them exactly how I felt, and I was like," I really cannot get over it... oh man... Hello! Hi!...".

Peak Deng's an Art student too, and Ying Ting's a Music student (ok, I don't think anyone ever calls students taking 'O'Level Music a Music student, but anyway...) ya.

And to link back to the world being so small, Serene is actually in the same tuition class as Bernice!

I guess we really need to find an opportunity to organise a gathering for the MBS Class of 2005 to get together and most importantly, keep in touch. Are we able to join the Maha Bodhi Alumni (菩提校友会) for free? But it sounds quite old for us... maybe 20 years later?

Maha Bodhi Class of 2005 - stay cool, stay smart
...lol

6:22 pm;

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Thursday, 17 April 2008

ColoursY

There was this magnificant scenery by the beach. As the sun was settingm the clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds somehow got dyed with different shades of red, orange, purple and pink. It was the gradient of the colours which brought the warm moods to the start of Choy's birthday party by the beach.

Choy was my pen-pal and that was the first time we were meeting each other. She had never once sent me a hand-written letter, but the simple and touching words she used in every mail were enough to express her sincerity towards our friendship. From on of the letters, she gave me a nickname 'Blue'.

Though there were many guests around, Choy sat silently on one of the beach benches, facing the sea. I went over and sat beside her. The sweet and pleasant smile never went away. "She must be enjoying the awe-inspiring scene," I thought.

"The sky's pretty, don't you agree? The colours are just so mesmerising," I said.

Her smile twitched a little, but she seemed happier than just a couple of seconds ago. As a gush of breeze came, her long silky hair waved with it. She was a perfect match with the surroundings.

" I like sitting by the beach at this time of the day. The breeze is usually calm and the heat is just right," she spoke softly.

I took me quite some time to realise that she said nothing about colours. However, I shared with her that I loved that time of the day by the beach as well, mainly because I could hardly find time to catch such wonderful scenery in a busy city like Singapore. I was not sure why she said that the heat was just right. Maybe she liked the warmth which brought cosiness, but no the scorching unbearable heat which reminded people about the consequences if global warming. Maybe. I did not know.

"Blue, there's something you have to know," she spoke timidly.

Choy told me that I was the closest friend she had and she was afraid to tell me something for she wanted our friendship to last. Choy was blind. Most people she came across would have laughed at her disability and so she feared that I would react the same way.

She wanted me to know that I was very special and dear to her, and that was why she insisted calling me Blue. She had never seen any other colour besides black in her life, or probably she did not even know that she was living a life as though she was staring at a black wall all the time. She heard from people that blue represented calm, protection, peace, security and kinship. She could feel what the colour looked like.

Colours did not affect her life much, for Choy had written poems from her heart and managed to publish them in her own book. To me, Choy was an extraordinary blessing. Not for her disability, but Choy was a girl who had the brightest sight; she saw from her heart, felt from her heart and she was so sensitive towards nature and life.

I grabbed her soft hands and told her," Choy, you shall be Pink, for I see this passionate red in you with the softness of white which never fails to bring care, concern, warmth and love to all around you."

We both held our hands firmly. We knew that our colours of friendship was treasured and would last forever.

7:35 pm;

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Sunday, 13 April 2008

SYF Display Band 2008 @ National StadiumY

This year's competition was interesting, but I wouldn't say it was as hyped up as the one 2 years back. I could see that many schools had brilliant ideas, with pirates theme, Mexican theme, ethnic theme and some Chinese theme. However, they were not really polished tip-top, so there were only 1 Gold (Bowen Sec) and 2 Gold with Honours (Deyi and TK) awarded.

TK unfortunately had a super strong competitor, which was really on to fight and they succeeded... Deyi Military Band.

C'mon TK Band, you did us all proud, don't be dishearted. Remember your tagline..."TK Band : We Define Excellence" ? You always do, and that spirit always live in every TKsians' heart. Though Deyi broke our record of being the best band in the land, we'll be snatching that position back from them because we had hugged it longer than anyone else and it will be ours again. Everybody's behind you guys, even the teachers, alumni, the chicken rice uncle and aunty, student leaders, student body, anyone and everyone... cheering you on!

You were the last to leave the National Stadium, even as the lights were turned down, remember? There's your second home... you love that field more than any other band because of your decade of excellence.

TK with Gold with Honours, TK Band all the way!

the not-very-clear video I took:

8:25 am;

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Thursday, 10 April 2008

Spray Paint ArtY

Today's one of those rare days when I actually reached home earlier than anyone else at home, so I was surfing the internet on any cool, art-related stuff...

I bet the first impression of spray painting to many would be just graffiti or vandalism. However, this video was really an eye-opener. Watch it and you'll know what I'm trying to say.

He even challenged himself to complete a piece within 45 seconds!

If only I can be that skillful...

... Art lessons are getting more boring and aimless

...feel lonely, sleepy during Art lessons

8:19 pm;

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Sunday, 6 April 2008

Colours of LeadersipY

RED: to Lead with PASSION

WHITE: to Lead with INTEGRITY

BLUE: to Lead with PERSVERANCE

GREEN: to Lead with RESPONSIBILITY

2:05 pm;

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