1) How does Chua Beng Huat describe the spatial organization of life in kampong?
Kampong has its own distinct physical, social, economic characteristics.
Living in kampong has its advantages and there are a lot of reasons for all the kampongers to dwell on staying in kampong.
• The villagers are very close neighbors
• Strong sense of security in the kampong.
The advantages of staying in kampong arises from the factors that the village’s physical environment is very highly differentiated, thus no one familiar with the village would get lost (unlike in neighborhoods today). Moreover, villagers know almost everyone that foreigners or intruders will not easily get in the kampong.
There are disadvantages too. Certain conditions like physical condition, public hygiene and other private amenities were undesirable. For example, there were no toilet within the house for most housing hence public hygiene and convenience certainly posed a problem. Moreover, the kampong houses are packed closed to each other, therefore fire may occur easily, resulting in not very safe environment.
2) How does he describe the spatial organization in new HDB flat?
Spatial organization of life in new HDB was different from life in villages as villagers now have moved from a small insular village to a new urban town. Most of the villagers experience difficulties in coming to terms with certain physical barriers which they saw as restricting their movements. For e.g. in the past, villagers would have the practice of keeping their front door open at all times. Whereas at HDB they now experience the inconvenience of having to open /shut and lock/unlock the front door since it’s a common practice at HDB. Other than that, problems which lie beyond the block started to surface as middle-aged and the elderly had to overcome the fears of taking lifts and many could not figure out the combination of vertical and horizontal movement within a block.
Biggest Benefited in kampong
The aged and middle-aged women, village-bound working women and working men and retied men tend to enjoy the benefit the most during the life in kampong
Aged and middle-aged women
Big family living together in one kampong, however when they move to HDB, they may suffer from the prospect of family split-up because every sub family may located to different neighborhood.
Village-bound women
They work and stay in the village, hence there is frequent casual interaction with neighbors that used to occur in village. However, after settlement their neighbors may not be their colleagues anymore. Their social network have become a work-based rather then residential-based.
Working men
Low cost of living in the kampong. However after settlement they faced an increase of household cost, greater financial responsibilities to respective household cause them to speed up their lives that left them with little time or energy to do much beyond resting for the next day’s work. Therefore they tend to wrap up their day by watching TV at home, resulting their social life was drastically reduced to nominal exchanges with family and relatives.
Retired man
There are many gathering places for the elderly in the kampong. However the settlement, old men have difficultly in finding suitable gathering places their new surroundings. Even though these men could gather at ground floor deck, they did not do so as the fear of police check and of being branded as “bad habits”. For example, retired men gambling in kampong may be a common sight in kampong, however under HDB, gambling acts is deemed as illegal. Now, obviously they can’t regain the same level of interaction with their neighboring friends.
Biggest benefited in HDB
The young married people enjoy the most benefits from life in HDB. Through HDB, they enjoys greater privacy, greater freedom of movement and in the scheduling of one’s daily routines, more control over the up-bringing of one’s own children and a greater cohesion within one small household.
Their status also radically elevated; from being one among many daughters-in-law in the village to being a mother in their own unclear family. They were also able to build up social ties with new, mainly immediate neighbors very quickly.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Gaze of the City: Psychogeography Experiments in an Emotive Environment of My Choice
A brief history of Alkaff Bridge:
Alkaff Bridge is also known as the ‘ArtBridge’. Actually, it is a pedestrian bridge in Singapore, which spans the Singapore River at Robertson Quay. The bridge connects the Quayside (where all those pubs & restaurants are) and the Riverside (the residential area).
The Alkaff Bridge was painted in January 2004 in vibrant colours by Filipino artist Pacita Abad (1946–2004) and a team of rope specialists. The artist and her crew of helpers used 55 different colours and more than 900 litres of industrial-strength paint to transform the bridge into Singapore's first "Bridge of Art". The bridge is 55 m in length It is shaped like a tongkang (a light boat used commonly in the early days to carry goods along rivers.
Time: 4.50pm
The Alkaff Bridge’s region is not packed during that time, except for a number of joggers, tourists and strolling residents. I started walking from one end of the bridge. Using every slow move, with my feet place nicely in front of the other, I started to make my first move and the second and the third…
It was a slope up the bridge and I tried to carry myself lightly. I can smell the river water up my nostrils. As I continued walking slowly, a lot of people passed by me. All of them were walking very quickly, as if they were rushing for time. The fast-paced people and the slow me seemed to be living in different spaces throughout the time. Time seemed to pass really slow or even stop. For that time, I seemed to drift away from the heavy workload and fast paced lifestyle. However, those people not in my space cannot appreciate my ‘slow walk’ and seems to cast a few doubts at me. Suddenly, I feel like a ‘outsider’ of this location and time era. Even though, I was out-casted in my space, I was feeling good. I felt freedom and the wind breeze passing by me seems to give me wings. Next, I touched the handle rail of the bridge as I continued my walk. I felt the rail is giving me strength and supporting me up the slope. It suddenly felt like my mom’s hands, bringing me on a stroll.
Finally, I reached the centre of the slope. Leading against the rail, I looked straight at the river water in front of me. It was glittery against the sun rays reflection. It felt like diamonds in the water, so bright and pretty. Even though this was not the 1st time I came here and look at the glittering river, the feeling it gave me never went away. The river water seems so glittery; it must be refreshing to fall into the river for a nice connection with the water. However, when I shift my gaze to the corners of the river, it is not difficult to realize rubbish floating by the sides. Far end of the corner, I saw the river boat coming straight towards the Alkaff Bridge. The oil produced by the river engine was disseminated into the river water. Is the water is really clean as it seems to appear? The fact seems to differ from the glittery glamorous characteristics.
The glittery river seems to give me power, to drive away all of the troubles as the wind swept pass me and the sparkling reflection seems to give energy to my eyes as I gaze ahead. In front of the river, I feel small before the river that never gives up on flowing. The bridge is the connection between 2 different worlds. One side of the bridge is the Quayside (where all those pubs & restaurants are) and the other side is the Riverside (the residential area). When I look towards the Quayside, I could feel energy and activities going on in my head. The Quayside area is where I normally spend my weekends on pubs, clubs and restaurant near Mohd Sultan Road. With so much activities going on there, it seems colourful to me in a non-visible way.
All seems to differ from my known history of Singapore River which is the major settings for trading and port. The smelly river is cleaned up now after the previous clean up of Singapore River in the 90s. No matter how much the whole landscape seems to change, when I come here, I still can somewhere have a déjà vu of the past history by looking at the stone steps of the river side.
‘Derive’ Environment
It is 5.30pm sharp now. I am standing in the middle of the Alkaff Bridge walking path. Trying to drift using my sense of hearing, I closed my eyes and let my senses do the work. 1 min, 2 min passed by and I can gradually hear laughter nearing my left hand side. I knew this is the sound I am waiting for. I opened my eyes and turned towards body to the left. Yes, a number of working adults were walking towards the bridge. Some were on the phone while some were talking to each other. The common thing among them is they all appeared to have knocked off from work and the Alkaff Bridge is the passing point away from work. I can see the buildings behind them, which seems to be their working place. The closer they walked towards me, I can feel their smile happier, away from the place that had cooped them up the whole 8 hours. Simultaneously as they walked towards me and the bridge, I walked towards them. Why do I do so? I can feel the urge to take control of their thoughts, by just passing them. I feel a transition of our roles. As I walked towards the building, I saw a few guys talking in front of me, suggesting to each other about the visiting the nearby pubs. Afterall, it’s a Friday night. Their conversation derives me to them, and I followed them. Where I standing am the famous Singapore Clarke Quay where the later it is, the more exciting it is. As I walked with them along the path, I feel my eyes deriving away to the river again. It is the evening already. The sun rays are hitting the river water like stars on the sky. Just then, the river boat caught my attention. I followed it. The river boat passed the Oat Bridge. I know it is leading me to Clarke Quay. I went under the tunnel to get to the other side. Now, I can see the river boat again. But the river boat is moving too fast, I can still see its sight, but it is moving further from me. Now the lightings in front caught my attention. I know the dazzling lightings in front is where the crowds belong, the Clarke Quay. My eyes drew towards the lights and I walked and walked. Not long after, I reached Liang Court. Now, the lightings are all around me. The heavy metal music of the night is slowly heightening up. I walked on, and the restaurants and pubs are filled with waiting customers to be seated. I can smell the smell of food coming from my left. It is the ‘Hookers’ pub. My eyes derive to the dressing code of the waitress. All of them are wearing tank-top with skimpy shorts. My attention is drawn to them even though I’m a girl. The smell of the food one waitress is carrying in, entices my sense of smell. I suddenly realise I am hungry. I look at my watch. It is 6.05pm.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Comparing Invisible Cities & 12 Stories & Gibson
1) What kind of dreams of the Singapore cityscape is suggested by the 2 movies?
2) To whom do these dreams belong?
In Eric Khoo “12 Stories”, on the surface the characters in the movie are dreaming of the material aspect of life (such as becoming rich, better lifestyle, fashionable), but in a deeper depth, we can sense that the characters in the movie are just seeking for immaterial wants (such as Shan Shan only wants love from her mother, the china bride seek for her real love and the brother love for his siblings).
From the movie, we can see that Eric Khoo hoped to bring out the real Singapore unique characteristics under his camera lens. The high storey HDB flats, living condition and understanding of hundred of people living under I root in different flats, the uncle and aunties 4D wealth purse. Eric Khoo major/focus his storyline on three Singapore’s life, China bridge issue, lonely spinster situation in today’s late marriage trend and Singaporean’s dreams of leading a better lifestyle.
In contrast, Tan Pin Pin’s “Invisible Cities”, the movie is neither looking for the money nor love, what the characters in the movie want is offering their story at social responsibility to the nation. It is like a historical redress for them. Officially, there has been official stories about Singapore history, now through interviews they wish to provide a ground to rethink history and our known memories. Through photographers and personal memories, it provides a gateway back to our history.
3) How are the bodies of the main protagonists in these films shaped by the spaces that they inhabit in each of the movies?
4) How do the main protagonists negotiate/project their individual personalities and dreams back onto the spaces that they inhabit?
In Eric Khoo’s “12 Stories”, there are a lot of spaces created to contain the atmosphere and create the characteristics of the respective protagonists. Firstly, at the start of the movie, we can already see that the protagonists are all staying at different levels of the HDB 12 Storey. The multiple flats with closed doors act like a multi-storey cage, separating all the other from each others lives but also ragin the respective protagonists in their own home.
Secondly, the protagonists can mostly shot in a 1-long-shot(LS). They are mostly shot in their own area of space. This seems to depict the protagonists are always reserved in their thoughts, seem like no one can enter their world. They are seldom shot in a wide shot with the other characters, such as the brother and sister together and the another and Shan Shan together, because their worlds and thinking are wide apart, despite seen to the audience they are filmed in the same room.
Despite the distinct filming editing in Eric Khoo, “Invisible Cities” editing illustrate bits and pieces of fragmented editing of the protagonists. The fragmented editing seen to tell us tat the facts the interviews told us in the film are actually the lost fragmented parts that we should piece them up on our own. Even though the editing between interviewees shows no beautiful connection, it seems to illustrate an even stronger real life side of story.
5) Do you feel as a spectator that you are able to enter the universes represented in the 2 movies?
6) Is the city represented by these 2 movies a city with which you can relate; identify? Do you feel that the cityscapes represented in the movies are representative of the Singapore city you know?
In the Eric Khoo “12 stories”, it seems like that usual routine stories that we can see around in our neighborhood and newspaper article, e.g china bridge, lonely hearts women and men. The topic that the movie covered is the important social aspect that we faced in our everyday life. After watching this film, I will realize many issues that they covered is close to Singapore society. However, I will feel that the main protagonists are all depressed about life. But, my life doesn’t seem so depressed. I am 90% almost most of the neighborhoods we see in Singapore is also pretty clean and new, unlike the retro HDB building that Eric is trying to create. The movie also depict neighbors all living under closed doors, not close to each other. But well, I feel the city the movie try to address seem to depress about most of the lifestyles. Living in Singapore is not that unhappy.
In contrast when watching “Invisible cities”, it is more difficult for me. However, it keeps me thinking throughout the film. I think about of a lot of histories that were not learnt about Chinese racial riot, photographers of old historical buildings. It is a city that no one mentions anymore in today times. The buildings all gone, the facts all erased from textbooks. However it is only from books and films that we can get back and remember the facts. Lee Kuan Yew has in fact formed a nation with history that is organized.
7) What else do the dreams of the Singapore city in each of these movies remind you of?
Eric Khoo movie reminds me that within Singapore well developed, seemingly culture nation, there can exist dysfunctional struggling to cope in a rigid and yet fast-paced society administered by harsh forms. Money, love or family may be significant to some yet insignificant to the others.
Rather in “Invisible cities”, it reminds me of a lot of anti-Singapore books that talk about the hidden truths of PAP government. It reminds of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, who had launched a number of open talks and books against PAP. Even though he was prosecuted, he dared to do what he believes on bringing the truth, just like the interviewers in the “Invisible Cities”.
8) What impressions of the Singapore cityscape are suggested by Gibson?
9) Whose kinds of impressions are these?
Basically, Gibson sees Singapore as a “Disneyland with the death penalty”. A well shaped structured nation that is too good to have its real beauty left. Singapore has too many restrictions on its citizens (such as littering). Singapore environment has been manicured into a country with no cultures, no heritage. Gibson sees Singapore as a country that sacrifice heritage for progress. Our citizens seem to be controlled by the government, especially Lee Kuan Yew. They are the big brother in action.
10) What do I think of Gibson article? Do I agree to his argument?
I think Gibson article is too self-centered. There are neither other foreigners nor tourists being interviewed. No local Singaporeans were allowed for their opinions as well. It seems like Gibson sees no need for debate. I am somehow criticism. I feel that he is critical of his articles. Why did he pick Singapore to be topic of criticism? I feel that he is critical of Singapore because he is envy of our nation international success despite our small demographic size. Even though, I think he is May too arrogant, I have to admit what he points out are rather true, but too critical. True enough, our citizens abide to the government rules and regulations, but that is also because the scheme set out for us is beneficial for us. The government introduced CPF scheme, ERP, law regulations against littering, splitting etc. at least these government interventions help Singapore shape our environment progress better than other countries.
11) How so the 3(2 films and Gibson article) relate to each other?
Topics tat “Invisible Cities” covered on was
Heritage buildings were lost to progress to make space for housing and commercial use
Truth of social progress was covered by the government.
Watching “12 stories” provide many interesting insights. One of the protagonists is a model citizen. He is just like the typical individual in Singapore, who always talks about following the standard procedure to succeed in Singapore, such as study hard, get a good job, find a good life partner and get married. Moreover, it also shows Singapore government even has to act, as the big brother to educate and guide the citizens at every step of life, even the moral of not peeing in the HDB life has to be done under the regulation of the government. That is the 2 main reasons why gibbons feel that Singaporeans are too manipulated by government about the social truth and the government decisions. We are shaped by the government to follow only their directions.
12) What do you think about Gibson’s implicit comparison with Hong Kong? Does this comparison resonate with either of the movies? Does this comparison work for you?
In Gibson perspective, Singapore is one country which tears and destroys any of its ugly embarrassing truth in returning of creating a progressive, cultural society. He actually looks down on Singapore for this part. He salivate Hong Kong for tolerating all this unsightly culture and accepting their roots and culture progress as well.
These enough, Hong Kong is one rare country which is a first world country, yet keeps its second world country street behavior. But it is due to this rareness that makes Hong Kong one of the top financial centres in Asia, yet is also one of the most likeable traveling countries for photographers and tourists.
If we are to look at the environment and neighborhoods we live in, we will not be able to find much roots to any history. Everywhere in Singapore is way too clean and manicured. But from “12 stories”, we can see that Eric Khoo captures grittier, less sanitized images of Singapore’s underbelly that contrast with the projected images of tourism hungry Singapore. However similar to Hong Kong, there was aesthetics beauty found into the dilapidated back alley and crumbling old buildings.
Thinking about it, if we also try to retain more of our China heritage or other heritage over the years, Singapore might not even need Integrated Resorts and Casinos to attract tourist. Our 4 racial cultures certainly could contribute to more tremendous dramatic contrast of street beauty better then Hong Kong and other countries.
13) What do you think in retrospect – 2009 about Gibson 1990’s speculations about the significances of the internet? (The signification of cyber cultures to the ways in which Singapore operate, to the interactions between the bodies of Singaporeans and the cities through which they dram their lives?
In 1990s, Gibson had predicted that Singaporean being a “mode citizen” will certainly not try to exploit the best uses and ugly sexuality side of internet. The feels that we Singaporeans might even choose to turn away as far away from internet as we could, just because in his eyes, Singaporeans are the “good boy” lots who always heed our Big brother advice and stay out of trouble. But apparently, Gibson is very wrong. Not only does most Singaporean know how to use the internet, we can use it well and even play it around our fingers. Singapore serves to have the 1st world stuffs. Computerized immigration passport system, Ez-link to use got transport, payment and even ERP system are all adopted by Gibson’s “good boy” representatives, Singaporeans.
Even Gibson agrees that we are good, really impressed by our evident willingness to view such technology with the most utmost seriousness.
2) To whom do these dreams belong?
In Eric Khoo “12 Stories”, on the surface the characters in the movie are dreaming of the material aspect of life (such as becoming rich, better lifestyle, fashionable), but in a deeper depth, we can sense that the characters in the movie are just seeking for immaterial wants (such as Shan Shan only wants love from her mother, the china bride seek for her real love and the brother love for his siblings).
From the movie, we can see that Eric Khoo hoped to bring out the real Singapore unique characteristics under his camera lens. The high storey HDB flats, living condition and understanding of hundred of people living under I root in different flats, the uncle and aunties 4D wealth purse. Eric Khoo major/focus his storyline on three Singapore’s life, China bridge issue, lonely spinster situation in today’s late marriage trend and Singaporean’s dreams of leading a better lifestyle.
In contrast, Tan Pin Pin’s “Invisible Cities”, the movie is neither looking for the money nor love, what the characters in the movie want is offering their story at social responsibility to the nation. It is like a historical redress for them. Officially, there has been official stories about Singapore history, now through interviews they wish to provide a ground to rethink history and our known memories. Through photographers and personal memories, it provides a gateway back to our history.
3) How are the bodies of the main protagonists in these films shaped by the spaces that they inhabit in each of the movies?
4) How do the main protagonists negotiate/project their individual personalities and dreams back onto the spaces that they inhabit?
In Eric Khoo’s “12 Stories”, there are a lot of spaces created to contain the atmosphere and create the characteristics of the respective protagonists. Firstly, at the start of the movie, we can already see that the protagonists are all staying at different levels of the HDB 12 Storey. The multiple flats with closed doors act like a multi-storey cage, separating all the other from each others lives but also ragin the respective protagonists in their own home.
Secondly, the protagonists can mostly shot in a 1-long-shot(LS). They are mostly shot in their own area of space. This seems to depict the protagonists are always reserved in their thoughts, seem like no one can enter their world. They are seldom shot in a wide shot with the other characters, such as the brother and sister together and the another and Shan Shan together, because their worlds and thinking are wide apart, despite seen to the audience they are filmed in the same room.
Despite the distinct filming editing in Eric Khoo, “Invisible Cities” editing illustrate bits and pieces of fragmented editing of the protagonists. The fragmented editing seen to tell us tat the facts the interviews told us in the film are actually the lost fragmented parts that we should piece them up on our own. Even though the editing between interviewees shows no beautiful connection, it seems to illustrate an even stronger real life side of story.
5) Do you feel as a spectator that you are able to enter the universes represented in the 2 movies?
6) Is the city represented by these 2 movies a city with which you can relate; identify? Do you feel that the cityscapes represented in the movies are representative of the Singapore city you know?
In the Eric Khoo “12 stories”, it seems like that usual routine stories that we can see around in our neighborhood and newspaper article, e.g china bridge, lonely hearts women and men. The topic that the movie covered is the important social aspect that we faced in our everyday life. After watching this film, I will realize many issues that they covered is close to Singapore society. However, I will feel that the main protagonists are all depressed about life. But, my life doesn’t seem so depressed. I am 90% almost most of the neighborhoods we see in Singapore is also pretty clean and new, unlike the retro HDB building that Eric is trying to create. The movie also depict neighbors all living under closed doors, not close to each other. But well, I feel the city the movie try to address seem to depress about most of the lifestyles. Living in Singapore is not that unhappy.
In contrast when watching “Invisible cities”, it is more difficult for me. However, it keeps me thinking throughout the film. I think about of a lot of histories that were not learnt about Chinese racial riot, photographers of old historical buildings. It is a city that no one mentions anymore in today times. The buildings all gone, the facts all erased from textbooks. However it is only from books and films that we can get back and remember the facts. Lee Kuan Yew has in fact formed a nation with history that is organized.
7) What else do the dreams of the Singapore city in each of these movies remind you of?
Eric Khoo movie reminds me that within Singapore well developed, seemingly culture nation, there can exist dysfunctional struggling to cope in a rigid and yet fast-paced society administered by harsh forms. Money, love or family may be significant to some yet insignificant to the others.
Rather in “Invisible cities”, it reminds me of a lot of anti-Singapore books that talk about the hidden truths of PAP government. It reminds of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, who had launched a number of open talks and books against PAP. Even though he was prosecuted, he dared to do what he believes on bringing the truth, just like the interviewers in the “Invisible Cities”.
8) What impressions of the Singapore cityscape are suggested by Gibson?
9) Whose kinds of impressions are these?
Basically, Gibson sees Singapore as a “Disneyland with the death penalty”. A well shaped structured nation that is too good to have its real beauty left. Singapore has too many restrictions on its citizens (such as littering). Singapore environment has been manicured into a country with no cultures, no heritage. Gibson sees Singapore as a country that sacrifice heritage for progress. Our citizens seem to be controlled by the government, especially Lee Kuan Yew. They are the big brother in action.
10) What do I think of Gibson article? Do I agree to his argument?
I think Gibson article is too self-centered. There are neither other foreigners nor tourists being interviewed. No local Singaporeans were allowed for their opinions as well. It seems like Gibson sees no need for debate. I am somehow criticism. I feel that he is critical of his articles. Why did he pick Singapore to be topic of criticism? I feel that he is critical of Singapore because he is envy of our nation international success despite our small demographic size. Even though, I think he is May too arrogant, I have to admit what he points out are rather true, but too critical. True enough, our citizens abide to the government rules and regulations, but that is also because the scheme set out for us is beneficial for us. The government introduced CPF scheme, ERP, law regulations against littering, splitting etc. at least these government interventions help Singapore shape our environment progress better than other countries.
11) How so the 3(2 films and Gibson article) relate to each other?
Topics tat “Invisible Cities” covered on was
Heritage buildings were lost to progress to make space for housing and commercial use
Truth of social progress was covered by the government.
Watching “12 stories” provide many interesting insights. One of the protagonists is a model citizen. He is just like the typical individual in Singapore, who always talks about following the standard procedure to succeed in Singapore, such as study hard, get a good job, find a good life partner and get married. Moreover, it also shows Singapore government even has to act, as the big brother to educate and guide the citizens at every step of life, even the moral of not peeing in the HDB life has to be done under the regulation of the government. That is the 2 main reasons why gibbons feel that Singaporeans are too manipulated by government about the social truth and the government decisions. We are shaped by the government to follow only their directions.
12) What do you think about Gibson’s implicit comparison with Hong Kong? Does this comparison resonate with either of the movies? Does this comparison work for you?
In Gibson perspective, Singapore is one country which tears and destroys any of its ugly embarrassing truth in returning of creating a progressive, cultural society. He actually looks down on Singapore for this part. He salivate Hong Kong for tolerating all this unsightly culture and accepting their roots and culture progress as well.
These enough, Hong Kong is one rare country which is a first world country, yet keeps its second world country street behavior. But it is due to this rareness that makes Hong Kong one of the top financial centres in Asia, yet is also one of the most likeable traveling countries for photographers and tourists.
If we are to look at the environment and neighborhoods we live in, we will not be able to find much roots to any history. Everywhere in Singapore is way too clean and manicured. But from “12 stories”, we can see that Eric Khoo captures grittier, less sanitized images of Singapore’s underbelly that contrast with the projected images of tourism hungry Singapore. However similar to Hong Kong, there was aesthetics beauty found into the dilapidated back alley and crumbling old buildings.
Thinking about it, if we also try to retain more of our China heritage or other heritage over the years, Singapore might not even need Integrated Resorts and Casinos to attract tourist. Our 4 racial cultures certainly could contribute to more tremendous dramatic contrast of street beauty better then Hong Kong and other countries.
13) What do you think in retrospect – 2009 about Gibson 1990’s speculations about the significances of the internet? (The signification of cyber cultures to the ways in which Singapore operate, to the interactions between the bodies of Singaporeans and the cities through which they dram their lives?
In 1990s, Gibson had predicted that Singaporean being a “mode citizen” will certainly not try to exploit the best uses and ugly sexuality side of internet. The feels that we Singaporeans might even choose to turn away as far away from internet as we could, just because in his eyes, Singaporeans are the “good boy” lots who always heed our Big brother advice and stay out of trouble. But apparently, Gibson is very wrong. Not only does most Singaporean know how to use the internet, we can use it well and even play it around our fingers. Singapore serves to have the 1st world stuffs. Computerized immigration passport system, Ez-link to use got transport, payment and even ERP system are all adopted by Gibson’s “good boy” representatives, Singaporeans.
Even Gibson agrees that we are good, really impressed by our evident willingness to view such technology with the most utmost seriousness.
Friday, August 21, 2009
My first lesson in Adm420
Even though this is the 2nd week of school, today is my first lesson of adm420. A blur me indeed, late into the class and without any lesson notes, i stepped into the lecture room just in time to catch the "12 stories" movie playing. Without any ADM background, i watched the movie just like a casual audience looking for just pure entertainment.
12 STORIES....
Well, this is my first time watching Eric Khoo's "12 stories" and also the first time watching a Singapore-Based film. Sad to admit, i had been one of the many Singaporeans to be ashamed of Singapore very own film. What seems to be the reason? ... Well, maybe we Singaporeans are just afraid of acknowledging our own culture(urine behaviors in the life, 4-D gambling-obsessed uncles, obsenities-speaking ah bengs). However, what "12 stories" illustrate is quite an actual reality of Singapore. No nation's culture is as perfect as on the surface. Through this course, i learnt to appreciate my own Singapore beauty through the movie.
Yes, more than 70% of Singapore population lived in HDB today. But behind every household, there seems to always have a story behind it.
There are basically 4 main protagonists in "12 stories", being the spirit, the faithful brother, the disgruntled couple and the lonely loveless depressed spinister respectively. Behind the story Eric tried to depict, it reflected their respective dreams.
Invisible Cities....
Invisible cities are one of the few documents about Singapore that I watched. Before this documents, I never stop to think about the fast pace of development; how cultures buildings and environments are sacrificed for industrialization and nation building. Until this documents, I gained my insight on how fragile histories are, only to be remembered through memories and artifacts, and many soon be forgotten over times.
Photographs, artifacts and recounts are usually the medium we seek our knowledge of the past from. From the movie, we can see a number of different individuals being interviewed. Retied photographers, pervious Chinese school protestors and even the Japanese news reporter gave greater insights to the previous history collections.
Their dreams: Even though their agendas may differ, they share the same dream. Retired photographers took photos of the buildings they seen in the past as they foresee changes that could happen when the buildings are demolished over time. Those previous Chinese school protestors hope to regain their pride and glory of the olden days and wished to pass on the time history to the current generation even when they passed away.
History is something we should learnt about, no matter how ugly the truth may seen. The Japanese news journalist wrote about the recounts f a sufferer of the Japanese occupation period. Her agenda is simple. She hoped to pass on the truth and learning histories to her citizens.
When we finally reached the end of the 1-hour documentary, we will realize behind all these people, their dreams are united. They seek to preserve the memories of the past and let the story continue.
12 STORIES....
Well, this is my first time watching Eric Khoo's "12 stories" and also the first time watching a Singapore-Based film. Sad to admit, i had been one of the many Singaporeans to be ashamed of Singapore very own film. What seems to be the reason? ... Well, maybe we Singaporeans are just afraid of acknowledging our own culture(urine behaviors in the life, 4-D gambling-obsessed uncles, obsenities-speaking ah bengs). However, what "12 stories" illustrate is quite an actual reality of Singapore. No nation's culture is as perfect as on the surface. Through this course, i learnt to appreciate my own Singapore beauty through the movie.
Yes, more than 70% of Singapore population lived in HDB today. But behind every household, there seems to always have a story behind it.
There are basically 4 main protagonists in "12 stories", being the spirit, the faithful brother, the disgruntled couple and the lonely loveless depressed spinister respectively. Behind the story Eric tried to depict, it reflected their respective dreams.
Invisible Cities....
Invisible cities are one of the few documents about Singapore that I watched. Before this documents, I never stop to think about the fast pace of development; how cultures buildings and environments are sacrificed for industrialization and nation building. Until this documents, I gained my insight on how fragile histories are, only to be remembered through memories and artifacts, and many soon be forgotten over times.
Photographs, artifacts and recounts are usually the medium we seek our knowledge of the past from. From the movie, we can see a number of different individuals being interviewed. Retied photographers, pervious Chinese school protestors and even the Japanese news reporter gave greater insights to the previous history collections.
Their dreams: Even though their agendas may differ, they share the same dream. Retired photographers took photos of the buildings they seen in the past as they foresee changes that could happen when the buildings are demolished over time. Those previous Chinese school protestors hope to regain their pride and glory of the olden days and wished to pass on the time history to the current generation even when they passed away.
History is something we should learnt about, no matter how ugly the truth may seen. The Japanese news journalist wrote about the recounts f a sufferer of the Japanese occupation period. Her agenda is simple. She hoped to pass on the truth and learning histories to her citizens.
When we finally reached the end of the 1-hour documentary, we will realize behind all these people, their dreams are united. They seek to preserve the memories of the past and let the story continue.
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