Edited: Assignment 3

Assignment 3: Change redone

Retained from original assignment

The chimney of a furnace for incense. Although it’s just a chimney, yet much effort has been spent to design it.

Molded figurines were a common sight outside homes in the past. Without wallpaper, this was how we distinguished our homes and made it unique.


Other than molded figurines, Chinese word carvings were also used to adorn traditional Chinese homes in the past, and detailed ‘Bamboo’ carvings are used as grills. This has given way to metal grills which provide better security.

This metal grill with flower motif contrasts the previous photo. Clay has given way to metal and with that a change into a more contemporary feel.

The light on the number shows how we are changing into a society where numbers matter, i.e. being the first etc. This also shows how western ideals have crept into our society, symbolized by the western numerals.

This photo tires to show how the significance if metal has increased through the year. Sculptures are now usually made of metal, instead of traditional materials such as marble or clay.


This final shot shows how the modern architecture has leapt above us, constraining us with its height.

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Reassessed Assessment:
After redoing this assignment, I felt that i was able to bring the view of changing architecture across more clearly, and the photos did not seem too repetitive. So for this updated assignment, I'll rate myself as 8.8/10.

Editd: Assignment 2

This is Assignment 2 redone:



This has been kept from the original assignment.


This shot has been redone and added to the assignment.

Taken at a back alley, the contrast of clarity adds depth to this photo. This is further enhanced by the narrowing view of distance, and the path leading out. Which I feel will fit the requirements of the assignment.

Reassessed assessment:

After redoing, and improving on my second photo. I would regrade myself with a 8.0/10.

Blog Post: Singapore Culture

I feel that Singapore culture is one that is a hybrid and also borrowed. Since we are a multicultural country, it is inevitable that there is a mixture of cultures from the many different ethnic and nationalities in Singapore.

The hybridised nature of our culture can readily be seen in our unofficial language in Singapore - Singlish. Singlish is a mixture of english and native dialects, and in other words and informal derivative from English. This unique language ties most Singaporeans together, and makes us different from other countries, Singlish has become a cultural symbol of sorts.

On national television, Singlish has also been used. In the popular sitcom Phua Chu Kang, Gurmit Singh (a local comedian/artiste) takes on the role of Phua Chu Kang, a contractor who speaks 'fluent' Singlish. Even in movies, Singlish has stood centre stage, especially in productions by Jack Neo (a local producer).

Singapore also has a culture of borrowing. Thus is evident in our many locally produced variety programs. Many of these shows stems from Taiwanese variety shows of the same kind.

Many may think that due to these factors, Singapore does not have a unique culture of it's own. But I'd like to view this 'ability' to blend in different cultures and to seamlessly accommodate different cultural aspects of people into ours society as something uniquely Singapore.

Assignment 6: Photo analysis

This photo was taken by Ebe Arnold in 1979, named Making Bread.

Analysis:

Textual code: Genre
The photo was taken as a social documentary, which is defined as the act of recording, with a camera, human beings in their natural (ie unposed) condition. This gives the viewer as sense of truth and realism whilst viewing the photo as the subject is not posing, thus meaning is not forced upon it.

Bodily Code: Gaze

Aversion from camera suggests subject being in action rather than ‘posing’. This further adds the element of truth to the viewer.

Bodily Code: Posture (changes made thanks to Mike and Mark)
Subject is looking down, which suggests that he is working intently. The number of dough also gives a sense of routine and suggests the attainment of skill by the subject.

Bodily Code: Dressing
How the subject dresses gives the viewer a sense of the situation and state in which the subject is in. In this case, the clothes that the subject is wearing is relatively unkempt, suggesting that he may be of a lower class, or is a laborer.

Technical Code: Grainy / Slight Desatuaration
The quality of the photo suggests rustic agedness, and further ass on to the realistic feel of the photo. This lower quality of the image further suggests that the living condition of the subject is less than ideal.

Syntax: Combination of Codes to Form Meaning
The Photo embodies the typical rural lifestyle and attitudes, where the isn't a presence of advanced food preparation methods or equipment. Rather, food preparation falls solely upon the skills of the person preparing it.
Even though conditions are not at its best, rural people still strive to be good at what they are doing. Shown by the baker, and his uniformly shaped and sized dough.

High Modality
There is high modality due to the nature of the medium (ie photography) and the genre in which it was taken.
Rather than a flat picture, the perception of 3D space also adds on to the level of modality.
Modality is further enhanced by the coloured photo, the implication of movement by the subject and also the possibility of the scenario.
On the whole, there is a transference of modality from the medium and genre to the viewer. With the inherent nature of photography, the elements noted are present most of the time. Thus when viewing a work of high modality, the viewer's modality would be influenced by it.

Analysis
The photo is a narration, which tells of story that is happening when the photographer took it. It is a social window, where it allows the viewer the experience of being in another locality without having to travel to the location.
Furthermore, the experience and knowledge of the viewer adds to its interpretation, bringing about different dimensions of analysis.

Assessment:
I would rate myself a 8.8/10 in comparison to Mark's 10/10 presentation.