Singapore Budget 2011 Lego Style, My Read in Free Swing

Budget 2011 from ST Pix on Vimeo.


Life should be as easy & smart like Lego
where complex matters are expressed in cheerful style;
where war of words could be saved
and time spared for better play.

Life should be as free.

Wee in the colours
be as smart as Lego;
for its bricks are atoms
and its molecules are wonders.

Via play and fun,
it creates its own universe
that defines a unique legacy
redefines innovation
recreates a united world.

Life should be creative
where different people meet
without self inflicted paranoia or prejudice
that makes the world a divided place.

Lego, I admire your wicked brilliance
for you dominate the world without a winch.
in both happy & dire times.

For you, like me;
play is fun
and fun is cute.
Life's a peach with roses bedded in your yard
'cos you've fully understood the quotient of the
human mind!
-- Karen Fu

PS: Generally I like the budget and I wish I have a play in it too. Adios for now!! For change has come.

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Amicable thought on Design Sensitivity

My visit to the ArtScience Museum was worth more than I thought. The issues on the display design could have been hard to answer. I haven't read the hard copy of the Straits Times yet on comments by other visitors, but I have the feeling they may have been thinking some similar issues. But my primary issue would be the level of sensitivity of the design displays at the museum as well the type of exibits at the museum. No doubt that our museum is a small one and that we do not have any monumental treasures of big countries, I had thought the number of artefacts would have been at least more than what I was thinking. The museum does not match the quality of the Asians Civilisations Museum which has, I think, the best collection of artefacts in the country in terms of both quantity and quality. In comparison a mere check with the American Museum of Natural history online would instantly tell you that our exhibits aren't anything close to what others have. Despite so, the price of the tickets here are comparable to the top museums in the world. The interactive displays are no doubt world class. And so are the interiors and the exterior of the museum. I had very high hopes when I stepped into the museum just 2 days ago. When I was looking at the display, I cannot help but to wonder who did it and how the people have done so. The arrangement of the 2 apples and 1 banana in the Turfan area in the Silk Road Exhibition made me think how that display could have been allowed? The make of the camel was another. The quiver of arrows shooting into the Mongolian soldier was another that left me dumbfounded. It wasn't so much of the arrows that got stuck into the soldier, it was something comical about the whole display that made me wanted to both cry and laugh at the same time as I was wondering if arrows could actually go through both the human skull and the helmet in that manner <??>
Acknowledgingly, mongolian arrows were the most powerful at that time, reaching the average span of around 200 to 340 yards per shot. But I was wondering if that speed could actually pierce through the the head that much. I decided to make a quick investigation and came to a conclusion that the likelihood of an arrow going through the head of the soldier with the helmet on was very unlikely. (see picture below)


Notice the soldier beside the gigantic war machine.

Closeup of the 'arrowed' soldier. Typically the arrow that puched him diagonally right through the helmet, his skull and come out to the other end of his head. Understandably arrows do pierce in shots. But to have them display in the manner above looks somewhat illogical and even comical.

I feel the level of sensitivity in design has to be taken seriously, typically in the case of doing up a museum exhibit. The point of accuracy to historical details as well as other physical details must be respected. When we invent, innovate, design or do anything for that matter, certain funcational law of nature and culture need to be taken care of. And of course my ticket was itself somewhat puzzling. But then again, that was far too miniscue little issue. I just hope the next time I visit the museum again, it will be a far better experience.   - Karen Fu



Reference:
1. ArtScience Museum now opens, Straits Times, 19 Feb 2011 post.
2. Warriors of the Chinggis Khan(Genghis Khan)

3. A brief history of the Mongols.
4. Ancient Mongolian Weaponry.
5. The Mongolian Bow

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My Curosity about the Artscience museum

I am a merry person and am definitely a very curious person by nature. Museums are always on my itinery wherever I go. Just this past faithful Monday I decided to pop into the museum's 3rd day of opening right in the hot afternoon. It was a great cheery day and I definitely wanted  to view the latest exhibits at the newest museum down Marina Bay.

All was well in general and I had a great time learning about the history of various events-- from Genghis Khan, Silk Road and the Tang treasures; apart from the design of displays and interactive media. It was all fun and in fact there was a couple of things I thought it was 'too fun'. Let me try to explain:

I am very impressed by the displays. There are truly world-class visuals with impressive interactive media designs. I especially enjoy the interactive table at the Silk Road exhibition that shows items on a highly illuminated map; and some of the in wall panel displays that allow us to test our mental agilities. What I found a little amusing were the camels. I have seen camels before but I have never seen any spieces like the ones on display at the entrance. Especially the stream of very curly hair running from the top of the camels' heads along the back of the animals' bodies. Its too artificial and almost too fashionable looking. It somewhat reminds me of the African hair-style and more likely they reminded me of star wars----the 4 legged creature Eopie; or the 2-legged creature whose name I've forgotten at this point of time.  I think they look a little too futuristic to be like the arabian camel or other different hybrids of camels around at the moment. Then again, I was trying to figure out if I have missed any camel species that look like that. Art-wise, they are fantastic as they are highly imaginative and the skills for making them are genuinely top of the class. However, historically-wise they look a little odd. The camels uncanningly have a human look. (see figure below)


notice the hair-do and the face.


notice the hair growth on the camel.


After the camel ride into the wonder of hybrids, I romped to the display of fruits and veggies along the silk road in the other show area. I took a general picture of the display (see picture below)


and spotted something on the right of the picture. Then I took a closer look. (see picture below).



Out of sheer curosity, I ultimately took a third pic of the object of speculation in different perspectives. (see picture below).

[your thought may be as good as mine...]


 finally I came to a conclusion that it resembles visually,metaphorically mimicking the physical form of something not too nice. I wanted to get a second opinion so I amicably reported this to their on-duty museum helpers and they shared the same view.I told them I saw something not too pleasant and it was all about '2 apples and 1 banana'. They were amused by it and went to see it for themselves. One of them took a pic and claimed she was going to report it up. I think they should have reported up to their boss by now. The alignment of those 3 innocent fruits appear to be the work of  the display artist.
I love the architecture. And I really like the lotus pond. Moshe Safdie's sketches are cool with imaginative wonders of neat funcational solutions. The interior architecture of the building has a lovely concept of the lotus flower intertwined with the idea of a lovely welcoming hand. The centre of the building is designed to collect rain water that goes to a recycling system that supplies water to the rest rooms. What I later learnt was that the surface of the building was treated with glass fiber reinforced polymer, which is unusual. I was very happy to be enclosed by this mega structure that has a cool human feel to it.


I was actually expecting more as I have been to other museums around the world too. I was hoping to see more on the top floor about science and the arts. To me, I think it was a little too little. Those info could have been easily learnt online at different websites. If anyone takes the time and the money to visit a museum, one expects to see physical artefacts that we cannot see at most places anywhere in the world. I also find a few of the artefacts in the Genghis Khan puzzling. I had not have the time to scrutinise the details but I have the memory that I was wondering if the description of the artefact was off or the tablet was off. How did the 12-13th century tablet be using seemingly modern script for that time era was beyond me. I am not a historian so I cannot pinpoint in precise detail where it is off. But on first general look, especially from the script, I was surprised it was dated in the 12-13th century. Maybe someone could enlighten me.

In any case, I had a great time. I spent a few good hours to learn about display design, interactive design, history, strategy, innovation, science and humanity. The various exhibits gave me insights of the human mind that has been both ingenious, kind, mean as well as sheer cruelty.The changes we need in different times show that wrong changes can kill a dynasty. It also teaches us that the right kind of thought will save our spieces and our human race. The future is in our decision making and we should never let history repeat the treachery that we had before.
Hope the museum would take this in good candour.


After the entire museum visit, I came out seeing a brilliant lotus flower floating on a tranquil man made pond. It is serene, pure and upright. And I hope the welcoming hand of Singapore will bring in just that --- pure, upright spirit with integrity.


As the Chinese saying goes, '莲花淤 泥不染' -- the lotus flower, though grows in mud, never gets stained. -- Karen Fu

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Quick thoughts about 'Abandon Earth—Or Face Extinction' by Stephen Hawking

video via bigthink.com

Can't help but feel compelled to make this draft into the a formal post straight away. Might not be doing much impact but I thought I might as well write it anyway.

I feel Dr Hawkings has over emphasized in the logic of hard core Sciences for survival. For if there is lack of humanity in various ethical thoughts, that our human race would perish despite technological advances.

There are certain uncanny ways about how life and the universe works which perhaps is incomprehensivable even by science. Despite the rules that human mind research could delve into in their individual ways and feelings about how things work. I think we have not developed till that stage where the entire universe can be fully comprehend, else we will not have developed new problems that need new solutions to solve. If we have genuinely understood the root concept of problem solving, we will not problems sprouting out from existing ones. We could have simply sort the problem spot on.

Many of these problems simply morph in form. Not loosing an ounce in essence, the solutions usually require a far more complex way of solving.

If we need to sustain our race beyond the next 100 years or so, we need to find the root problem as to why we have come to this dire point. The thinking process doesn't require a mere escape in the physical space we live.

I have no doubt that one day our race will eventually be left with no choice but to emmigrate to space. That is if we cannot change what what we have been doing in time. The future living space may well be mars; it may well be a human made platform or synthetic space ground for our future generations to live on. Under a totally new environment, a brand new set of problems will sufface if we cannot face out our own humanisitc problems in thought which controls our decisions that shape our living space on earth.

There is no doubt that the brilliance of the human mind could also solve some of the toughest scientific problems around. However, I have the feeling that we may be dwelling in linear thought or rather we are moving into a history old, seemingly genetically formulated code in our genes into digging more deeper holes and simply swapping spaces for our root problem ---- the pertinent issue that we refuse to face the daunting thought that we have been bending rules of nature which is the result for our current dire situation.

We have not changed much in the area of survival. Human greed has not been changed much for centuries and let history be told, whether in total truth or with partial biasness, that our forebearers have merely altered their way of being selfish and that technological knowhow has been used to further exploit in the most uncanny of ways.

There is no doubt that we would eventually be living in space if our existing problems cannot be eradicated in time. It may well be we cannot sort them at all. Climate and land changes have proved in reality of the impending outcome of extiction if we still live on this planet. We have almost depleted our natural resources and also at the expense of other living species in any form for the sole selfishness of just one specie, and that is us.

We need to be truthfully honest about what we and our forebearers have done and how our past and existing thinking had maketh us our own assassinators for our own sustainable survival.

Our knowledge in humanities, science & technology should continue advancing in depth and in width. But we need a source of change that directs us to genuine sustainablity. And that is to make a real conscience about who we are and what we need to do. Not with the impurity of new so-called colours that smudge; but with the eventual outcome of being totally pure as light that will shine us into ever lasting exisitence.

And that one of the several human components may well be a far simpler thought: and that is ethics of sharing, loving and to be far less menacing & hypocritical in today's fast advancing, pragmatic life of selfish materialism. We are all in a way guilty. Perhaps via the way of doing bit of good everyday and have a far more daring gut toadmit fault & make every modest good step forward; we may perhaps create a miracle that science and religion will be most happy to jot down in our human history.

It's really a collaborative effort.

Got to run off now. It's a very quick one-off draft. I want to write more. But I have to go off for now. ---- Karen Fu

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Curious Snoop on the 'Crane Dance' - its design impact & details.

via tinyisland.wordpress.com

Valentines or not, love takes flight & romance at the Waterfront on Sentosa Island. I think what I saw yesterday night was somewhat different because there was a power trip. But I have been curious over the past 24 hours about the details of its design. Fell sick with a bad strep throat, I took my mouse for a snoop around the internet. Power shut down had cut short of the love birds' story. Now I know it was supposed to be a ~ magical~ love story between a pair of mechanical cranes and how their splendid love for each other turned them into real birds and flew off gracefully happily ever after.
In any avian's case, I've found the entire show very creative: from the story plot to the beautiful choreography of the cranes' movements to how the cranes were set into the waterfront area. All these had produced a simply delightful performance. The weight of these birds were hidden not only by the dark night skies as a backdrop, but also its visual and audio technologies appeared to lighten these heavily mechanical birds felt & looked far less robotic & clumsy than it actually was. The water effects, especially those spraying out of the birds as wings made them appear to propel with elegance and speed. The accelerated feelings of this avian couple were illustrated in brightness and movement as they progressed in their courtship. The entire multimedia drama had its dramatic impact that spread across the entire waterfront area, making its sheer presence felt. I couldn't see what were the actual materials of these lovey doveys but it did somewhat offered a sense of commedy because of its comical physical form. It looked almost cartoon-like. its initial brash mechanical sense finally transformed both into to full blown natural, blood and flesh warmth real cranes.Stunning.
I especially enjoyed the beautiful play of water & multimedia presentation on its 'chest-panels'. I like such innovative ideas that brings up imagination when it comes to the arts. The whole Crane Dance structure weighs 500 tonnes: each crane weighs 80 tonnes. The whole plan could have been excellent if it were not for the power failure. I wonder if the heavy downpour in the past weeks had an impact but I think there may have been other reasons for the breakdown.
Other technical details: (extract from Resorts World Sentosa)
*designer:
Jeremy Railton
*control systems to prevent collision – similar to those used by Japanese bullet trains.
*The cranes are powered entirely on four giant hydraulic power units, totally 5,000 horsepower – each HPU is good enough to fly a small aircraft.
*36,720 litres of sea water is used in each show to form wings' – the same volume of fresh water can sustain ahe WaterFront.
Where could you see this:
Singapore's Sentosa Island.
Starts at 9pm daily.
Duration: 10 minutes
Location: WaterFront
Fee: Free Admission
Doesn't take up much time, but it sure packs one up to think about its entire wonder & how the whole design works. VERY interesting!- Karen Fu
Reference:
1.Tiny Island
2. Resorts World Sentosa
3. Further Technical & Concept details Live design Online

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Dancing Cranes from Sentosa Singapore 2011

via youtube.com

I was at Sentosa with only one aim of seeing the Flower show but ended up pleasantly surprised with other attractions on the island resort. Gigantic crane dance was one. Water fountain show with quick fireworks was the other. Took quite a number of pics on these attractions but I only took 1 video which is this one, that was taken with a digital camera's video function.
This multimedia presentation cum mechanical robotic cranes dancing in the waters of Sentosa Singapore. It was majestic eye opener until the power tripped. But I plan to see the whole performance again. The concept is very refreshingly artistic, mysterious & grand. Futuristic. Unfortunately there was a technical error that curtailed the show. Else it could have been a great sight..
Enjoy!

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