Sunday, March 31, 2013

Places: Ng Eng Teng's Asian Symphony at NUHS



The next time you visit the National University Health System Building, do pay attention and look for the largest known public mural that was made by the late Ng Eng Teng. Ng Eng Teng was a well-known sculptor and winner of the Cultural Medallion in visual arts in 1981.

Here's a simple account of how a visit to the NUS Museum inspired me to learn more about Ng Eng Teng's Asian SymphonyPlaces: Ng Eng Teng's Asian Symphony at NUHS

Friday, March 29, 2013

Places: From the private collections: Weight of History



Some time ago, I visited the Singapore Art Museum to catch the exhibition: The Collectors Show: Weight of History. This art exhibition showcases contemporary artworks from private collections in Asia. It was interesting for me to get a glimpse of the kind of artworks that would interest private collectors.

Here's an account of my visit to this exhibition: From the private collections: Weight of History.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Read: Mastering the Audition: How to perform under pressure

Title: Mastering the Audition: How to perform under pressure
Author: Donna Soto-Morettini
Publisher: Methuen Drama (2012)

I had picked this book up at the library when I was searching for a score. I had thought it would be about music audition, and it turns out to be for people who would like to prepare for auditions for drama productions. Nevertheless, since the concepts of coping with high-stress situations and preparing for an auditions are rather similar to preparing for a music auditions are rather similar, I pleasantly surprised myself when I have found myself completing the read of this entire book!

This book can be divided into two main sections.

The first section focused on concepts and theories related to the mind when it is being subjected to the context of auditioning. The author shared the observations that most people agree that they experience fear in the auditions. This section discusses how fear works. In this section, the author also discussed the motivation to audition and to perform. I like the example involving Daniel H. Pink's "Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us" whereby Pink concluded the problems associated with the work-for-reward syndrome.

In the second section, the book discusses the toolkit to facilitate readers to have a clearer goal of where they are going, to develop their skill set and to develop their mental game. I have found several of the exercises to be useful in getting me to take time to look at the various issues at hand. This section also discusses four new ways to think about risk. The definition of risk is "refusing to accept the most likely interpretations". I very much like the discussions on how one can develop one's mental game. The exercises provided has gotten me to slow down to think through issues I may have otherwise taken for granted.

In this book, the author suggested that it helps to link our motivation to a higher purpose as this often makes a difference in the quality of the outcome.

I appreciate having to read this book. It gave me a glimpse of how to respond in an high-stress audition situation, and how we can know ourselves better to master the audition experience. This book is especially relevant for people who are interested in drama.


***
Here are links to book reviews on this book:
http://amdram.co.uk/bookshop/book-review-mastering-the-audition-how-to-perform-under-pressure/
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Audition-perform-under-pressure/dp/1408160617

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Places: The special Bukit Brown Heritage Tour on 23 Mar 2013


This morning, I visited the Bukit Brown cemetery to learn more about the significance behind the tomb designs and more. Here's the link to my blog post on this special visit: Places: The special Bukit Brown Heritage Tour on 23 Mar 2013.

Please visit Bukit Brown soon before the construction of the proposed highway start in one or two month's time.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Places: The President's Young Talents 2013

A snapshot of a scene from Boo Junfeng's Mirror.

An incidental visit to an exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum has given me a number of pleasant surprises. Find out what some of Singapore's most promising young artists hope to communicate through their art by attending the exhibition, President's Young Talents.

Here's an account of my recent visit to the exhibition: President's Young Talents 2013.


25 Jan - 15 Sep 2013
Singapore Art Museum
71 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189555

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Awaken the Dragon Festival 2013: The exhibition


Awaken the Dragon Festival 2013: The Exhibition is here.

Here are the details:

Awaken the Dragon Festival 2013: The Exhibition
10 - 24 Mar 2013
National Museum of Singapore
The Concourse
Admission is free.

For more information, please visit a post on one of my visits to the exhibition: Places: Awaken the Dragon Festival 2013: The exhibition.

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Art of Lee Kian Choong

Source: Haozhen Gallery's Facebook Page.
Oath of Joy, by Lee Kian Choong.
One of my favourite artworks from the exhibition.

The Art of Lee Kian Choong
Haozhen Gallery
231 Bain Street, #03-39 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231.
Tel: 63344661.
1 Mar 2013 - 15 Mar 2013
Opening hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.


Thanks to the strong recommendations of one of the conductors whom I know of, I had the pleasure to check out an art exhibition yesterday at the Bras Basah Complex. I have found the artworks by this artist, Lee Kian Choong, to be refreshing, optimistic and beautiful. It seems like Nature and life were two of the key sources of inspirations for the artist.

Lee Kian Choong is possibly one of the up-and-coming budding contemporary artists who specializes in Chinese ink and watercolours paintings to look out for.

The exhibition ends today (i.e. 15 Mar 2013). Do check it out. Admission is free.

***
Haozhen Gallery's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HaozhenGallery
Haozhen's Gallery's website: http://www.haozhengallery.com.sg

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Concert review of "Into the New World"

Many thanks to family, friends and supporters. The concert, Into the New World, on 10 Mar 2013 was a success.

Please find the following link to the review by Dr Chang Tou Liang: http://pianofortephilia.blogspot.sg/2013/03/into-new-world-nus-symphony-orchestra.html

The review was published by The Straits Times on 12 Mar 2013, Life! section, page C13, with the title "Energy flows when East meets West".