Writings #6 Beauty Icon : Marilyn Monroe

I was browsing through Style.com’s Beauty Icon section. They have the elegant Carolina Herrera, the big-eyed-and-skinny model Gemma Ward and even Prince William’s beau Kate Middleton. They are all mind-blowingly pretty and charming I must say. But I also saw Marilyn Monroe, a tiny black and white picture wedged among the rest.

We are all familiar with Monroe. Like Coca-cola and Levi’s, she is one famous American symbol. There were hundreds of books and documents made about her, she is on postcards, tattoos and Warhol’s silkscreens. Known as the “sexy blonde bombshell”,indeed, this movie star, who graced the cover of the first Playboy magazine, oozes sex appeal. But I think she is more than full lips and cleavages. She died at the age of 36 and appeared in only a handful of movies. What made this woman so iconic?

She is to me, impressively gorgeous. The glassy blonde curls and Technicoloured smiles. People during her time viewed her as a sex symbol and saw her almost only in the seductive light. Only years later, did people start seeing her as art. I was thoroughly mesmorized looking through her pictures (everytime). I think every Monroe moment is a classic. She might be smiling, laughing, giving her famous eyes-half-shut look or simply walking down a street, she is art, alive and kicking (once). Monroe is sexy because she is effortlessly so. She shines because she is confident and ever so comfortable with being herself.  “I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it,” she says.

There are so many confident and beautiful women out there, why the buzz about Monroe? And for so many years? What we celebrate about Monroe, is not just about her being a celebrity, but her being an icon for women. Sure, many out there can strut the high heels better than her, and may be not have cellulite peaking out from under the bathing suit, but Monroe embraced her identity as a woman and her life.

Monroe led a life full of imprefections behind the limelight. She was orphaned since young and went from foster homes to foster homes. She got married at a 16 because no relative could accommodate her. She then experienced three rocky marriages throughout her life.  Although Hollywood brought her fame and stardom, it hardly made her happy. She described Hollywood as “a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul”. But Monroe still gave her hundred and one percent to the camera. She never failed us, in fact. She draped orange chiffon over her body, wore long leopard-print scarves as skirts. She was daringly beautiful. Her confidence and faith made being a woman an ever so wonderful thing.

People were all so blinded by her physical charm, they did not see into her any further. Monroe was a wise woman, as opposed to the “dumb blonde” that she so skillfully portrayed. She had so much to say about women, about life, but people were too busy photographing her to hear her out.  One of her husbands once said “She was a poet on a street corner trying to recite to a crowd pulling at her clothes”. People trampled on her inner beauty to get a piece of her.

Monroe is beautiful because she is everything that people thought she was not. She is like a well-stored bottle of wine. When we roll the wine over our tongues, we were pleasantly surprised to find new bursts of flavour and fragrance. Everytime we look, we find out more about her, with each discover making her even more worthy of  “beauty icon” title. And when not every Playboy covergirl (none, actually) turns into a beauty icon, we know the Monroe has gone way higher by being the woman of women.

Writings #5 Two Buffaloes, Montien Boonma

Q:Describe the subject matter by Montien boonma, highlighting the significance of the materials used.

A:  The installation piece “Two buffaloes” consists of two stuffed sacks each resting on a four-legged wooden stool. The sack that is on the viewer’s left is placed slightly in front of the other. This sack also as a straw-weaved “tail” that curls downwards and curls back at the tip. The other sack, which is on the viewer’s right-hand-side, has a dark brown buffalo horn planted onto it. The whole installation depicts two buffaloes standing together.

The colour of the work is mainly brown, with the buffalo horn being the darkest shade of brown. The “bodies” (sacks) appear rough to the touch because of the cloth rice sack material. The “tail” was roughed too because it is a bundle of thick, dried straw. The horn and the two chairs (which represent the legs) on the other hand, appear smooth and rather polished. No special lighting is used for the work.

Boonma is an artist who places great emphasis on the materials he uses to make his artworks. He has always believed that materials have their meanings and symbolisms. Boonma usually avoids using expensive traditional art materials such as oil paint and canvas, instead, he looks for his materials in his surroundings. He is most spontaneous when it comes to giving meaning to what we often deem as “useless materials”. Some of his favourite materials are sand, soil, ashes and wax. His unique choice of materials allow him to make artworks that are most “real”, natural and original. For this piece of work, he chose wooden chairs, cloth sacks, straw and a buffalo horn that is probably from a dead buffalo. All these materials are very affordable and accessible. They are not processed or tempered by the artist. therefore remaining in their original colour, form and texture. The brown tones and unrefined textures give off a feeling of buffaloes and the countryside where these animals are most usually found. The materials themselves already embody the qualities of the natural, rural and most basic. The artwork also reminds us of labour and hardship. Through artworks like this, Boonma sends the viewers important social and environmental messages through the simplest and most basic materials.

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Q: With reference to another work, explain why the subject matter appeals to you as an installation, as oppose to a painting.

A:  Comparing “Two buffaloes” by Boonma with “The potato eaters” 1885, by Van Gogh, we see that both works focus on rural life and the labouring class. “two buffaloes” depict two buffaloes which are commonly used by farmers or rural labourers to help them with their works. “The potato eaters” protray a group of farmers sitting under a dim lamp and around a small table, eating plates of potatoes. Both artists seem to want to present to the viewers the lives of the poor labouring class.

The colours used by both artists are very similar too. Both works consist of brownish, earthy complementary colours. The colours are used high realistically in the works. However, as compared to “The potato eater”, in which colours are chosen, carefully applied and forms nicely modeled, “Two buffaloes” take the natural colours of its materials. This makes “buffaloes” a more meaningful piece because it is more candid, natural and realistic. The modeling of “Two buffaloes” is also left to natural lighting. It is important to retain the “natural” feeling because after all, the artists’ subject matters represent the “nature people”, those that do not belong with the man-made and fast-changing modern world.

Being a 3-Dimensinal piece, “Two buffaloes” allows viewers to walk around it and choose their own perspectives. The interpretation of the work thus becomes a more personal and original experience for the viewers. Whereas for the 2-Dimensional “The potato eaters”, viewers can only adopt the point of view that the artist “chose” for them. “Two buffaloes”, with its different materials, also allows greater variety and flexibility when it comes to textures. “The potato eaters” is painted with oil paint on canvas and there is almost no variations on texture. Viewers also cannot touch the painting, but only explore it with their sense of sight.

“Two buffaloes” is also a conceptual piece while “The potato eaters” is more literal and straightforward when it comes to the message behind it. Being a conceptual piece, “Two buffaloes” allows viewers great freedom and control when it comes to appreciating, interpreting and understanding it. The artist takes a backseat in telling the viewers what to think. Instead, possibilities are free up for the viewers and they can choose to see in the artwork “what they wish to see”.

Writing #4 Artist: Zhang Jingna

Some of you probably haven’t heard of her. I want to share about her, not just because she is amazing, but because I can relate to her, and I think all of you can too.

Twenty year old Jingna came to Singapore from Beijing, China. Her interest in art, especially fashion and photography, developed since many years ago. Although busy with school and air riffle shooting (she represented Singapore in the SEA games and is a medal-winner! wow!), she squeezed time out to answer to her passion for art by consistently producing works (digital art, photography etc.) Her popularity grew over the years, especially on websites like Deviantart and Myspace. She has gathered a strong fan-base from all over the world. Here are a few of her works I took from her deviantart page.

What is so special about Jingna? Like all of us elite-schoolers (ahem!), she was actually a student from Raffles Girls’ School. She had a place in RJC ( she was in the IP) and of course an almost guaranteed “bright” future (think famous universities). She is doubtlessly talented in everyway. However, her passion for art encouraged her to make a decision: leave the Raffles family and go to La Salle to study art. Everyone was so shocked, and her parents were pretty upset in the begining. Jingna stood firm to her decision because she knew what she wanted. Her parents later lent her their full support and she wento La Salle.

‘I know many people would think that I’m foolish to stop studying before I get my certificates. Some would also think me ungrateful for leaving RGS, but I’m not. My definition of success is just different.’ She said.

Three years ago, Jingna made a promise to herself : make it as a fashion designer with her own labels in 10 years time. Now she is producing works that are more and more creative and interesting. She is producing works for commercial purposes too. A single work of hers can fetch up to thousands. She recently launched her photo collection book called “Something beautiful”.

I was moved by her passion, encourage and determination. I always had the thought of dropping out from our standard schools and go to an art college, but was never daring enough to make up my mind. I admit that I find it difficult to give up on the academic things that I built my life around. I admit that I am afraid of going forward without having a perfect backup plan. I wrote to Jingna once and she wrote back saying that she hopes I pursue my passion too. May be i will, one day, when i learn to put down certain things in life to pursue the rest. This not only applies for art, but for everything else.

Writings #3 Twenty years after Warhol: An Andy Warhol Exhibition

Lucy and I went for this Andy Warhol exhibition in November last year . We were both excited about it because we loved Warhol.

We were pleasantly surprised to see a long queue outside the exhibition venue. The queue consisted people of all races and ages. It was extremely hart-warming to know that so many locals appreciated Warhol just like us.

The exhibition was pretty disappointing thought. The exhibition hall was small and carried limited number of works (inculding skilk screens of Mao etc.) The place could not contain the crowd and the little intended atmosphere was rudely destroyed. However, when I stood gazing at photos of Warhol documentaing his younger years and late period, I was strangely moved beyond reasons. There was something emotional about staring at these great artists. They set out to change teh world, and by standing there I could already feel the world differently.

Warhol is one of my favourite artists. He does not paint figures like David or Michelangelo, neither does he capture the brilliances of nature like Monet or Cezanne. In fact, his art is nothing like the conventional art. He is not made great by his artistic skills alone. To me. Warhol is almost like a visionary. His works freed up many possibilies for the art scene of America, and the world, during his times. He made so many strong statements about Hollywood, about America and about the modern world. His works are more than artistic innovations but defnitions for our era.

I have the book “Andy Warhol Giant Size” ( which is very thick and quite huge, biggest than A3). The book recorded Warhol’s life and his works. I came across many many quotes that i like (acually I love every quote, realy). I shall share a few here:

“I just happen to like ordinary things. When i paint them, I don’t try to make them extraordinary. I just try to paint them ordinary ordinary.”

“But why should I be original? Why can’t I be non-original?”

“Well, what do you love most? That’s how I started painting money.”

” I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic. But I love plastic. I want to be plastic.”

“Truman says he can get anyone he wants. I don’t want anyone that I can get.”

Writings #2 A thought on the movie “Pleasantville”

One important thing we notice about Pleasantville is its use of colours as a symbol. It addresses themes such as race, sexuality and personal freedom. However, the use colours has other obvious significance to me. I think “turning technicoloured” in the film means gaining knowledge and discovering new things about oneself.

It is often understood when someone uses the phrase “leads a colourful life”. It simply means having a lot of different types of life experiences. This is something desirable because such a life gives room for knowledge and emotions of all kind. Leading a “colourful life” is definitely more fulfilling than a boring “black and white” one.

In the beginning of the movie, people in Pleasantville lived in a black and white world. The people were generally happy, and being happy was about the only feeling they were capable of having. Every emotion in Pleasantville was “pleasant”. People were satisfied with life becasue they did not know what else to ask for. The students at Pleasantville were taught only about it. They did not know that the world extended beyond the tiny Pleasantville. When there was nothing to compare with Pleasantville, the only became the best.

The people did not know what it felt like to “feel” other feelings. To the residents of Pleasantville, love was “Honey, I’m home.” and ” Darling, i baked you a meat loaf”. Happiness was holding hands in Lover’s Lane or getting a prize at the science fair. The emotions experiences by the people of Pleasantville were simple and postive.

Then technicolours arrived with David and Jennifer. They slowly turned the town into colours with their modern ideas. The first hint of colour in Pleasantville was the red rose Skip saw after making passionate love to Jennifer (Mary Sue). He learnt about sex and love. He turned colourful because he became capable of such passion. Similar to Skip, Betty also discovered and embraced sexuality. After knowing more about her own body, her world became colourful. As she proceeded to find out about her love for Bill, she herself turned colourful too.

Bill turned technicoloured after David (Bud) helped him to discover his love and talent for art. Art helped Bill open up his mind. From a man of routine and tradition, Bill became creative and imaginative, acquiring the traits of a modern man. Jennifer (Mary Sue), although modern and updated, went beyond her usual self too. She used to only know about looking good and dating cool guys. After she started reading and studying, she gained knowledge that could not be gained in daily life. She then, became one of the “coloureds” in Pleasantville.

David was one of the last to turned coloured. Although he dated Margaret, he remained black and white because adolescent love was something that he already knew. In fact, nothing in Pleasantville was new to him. His “time” only came when he punched Whitey for humiliating Betty. Here he learnt that instead of keeping Pleasantville the way it was, he should change it like what Jennifer had been doing. Instead of helping Betty to cover up her “true colours” as seen in the applying make-up scene, he stood up for Betty this time round. People that experienced similar realisations were George and Big Bob. With the help of his own son. George realised that his love for Betty actually went beyond needing her to take care of him. Big Bob, on the other hand, let out a yell of anger for the first time, surprising not just others, but himself.

The whole town gradually turned colourful as people gained knowledge (going to the library, having sex etc.) and found out more about themselves. Their lives became more exciting and colourful as David And Jennifer led them to explore new limits.

I believe the use of colours as the symbol of knowledge is appropriate. Afterall, black and white TV sitcoms like Pleasantville only became the coloured movies we have today because of the gaining of scientific knowledge which then led to inventions and new creations.

Random writings #1 Random inspiration

I have been meaning to write about the lecture given by Ms Wu, only didn’t have time the whole of last week. Was really grateful that she came. It might have been “just an SIL” or “just another lecture” for some students, but it was meaningful to me.

I have wanted to become a fashion designer since I was 5 or 6. This ambition remained as I juggled the other dreams of being a lawyer, a doctor (yes I’ve thought about that!), a journalist etc. I Have been getting ready to go to a fashion school since I was 13. When I was 14, 15, i checked the internet for schools and courses. Sadly though, when i was 16, I realised that this ambition was unrealistic.

People may tell you”go for your dreams”, “there’s no limit to what you can do” and so on, but here’s reality. Going to a fashion school means a lot of money and i don’t come from a filthy rich family. Going ahead with fashion also means that I will have to put aside the academic stuff that I’ve been doing for 10 plus years. Studying fashion also means that that will be my only way to make a living in future, in other words, if I don’t make it in the fashion industry, that’s it, over for me.

The “realistic me” then dreamt of going to Princeton, to Stanford. The “realistic me” also planned to be a lawyer, a doctor or a journalist.

The Paris Ms Wu described was just the one I’ve been dreaming about. What impressed me most, besides her accomplishments, was the way she was. She had an air of a fashion designer. I liked the way she spoked slowly and gently, with enough confidence. I liked how she carried chiffon dress with a masculine jacket on her slight figure. I liked how she said “John Galliano” without even raising an eyebrow (i mean hey! JOHN GALLIANO!).

She wasn’t the typical designer I saw. She just looked happy, satisfied with doing what she was doing. She loved fashion, loved Paris. AND THATS WHAT I WANT TO FEEL!

Here is one of the fashion schools I’ve been wanting to go to. www.istitutomarangoni.com

They have 3 schools, one in PARIS, one is Milan and the other in London. The students’ works were wonderful. Friends, do check it out if you have a bit of time