When Film Met Club

Slightly over the halfway mark of the RSC Block Party, I had to leave for my paid concert. ElectroLab: Film: Club is a double-bill by electronic artists Yoshihiro Hanno(JPN) and Dickson Dee(HK)(Film) and Aoki Takamasa (JPN)(Club). Once again, my only exposure to them was from the Esplanade site. (I’m such a sucker for the electronic/ IDM/ minimal techno music genre)

First up was Film.

Since the invention of sound motion picture, music accompanying the moving image viewed in a darkened hall has the ability to tell a story without dialogue, evoke emotions and create moments of anticipation and relief.

Film : is a double-bill of filmic music accompanying video art work, a homage to music, sound and the moving image. Film : is the seamless melding of the soundscape of live music by electronic musicians Yoshihiro Hanno a.k.a. RADIQ and Dickson Dee with moving images of the urban Asian landscape by video artists Yukeke Kaida and Chan Pikyu.

I was looking forward as to how they would interpret such images. A thought went back into the era of silent films. How quaint it would be. But 5 mins into the moody intro, quaint would be the last word on my tongue. The film showed random images of burning paper and joss sticks, accompanied by a post-industrial soundtrack. Those who know the term would understand the grating factor. The first part ended in 20 mins. But relief shall have to wait.

The next part showed building and traffic scenes done in “Lomo-action sampler” style. Meaning, multiple frames in a scene with seperate time delay/actions. The soundtrack accompanying delved further into post-industrial and melded into glitch tech. To put things in perspective, if you can stand the constant screeching of nails on a blackboard, this sub-genre is for you. Another 20 mins later, my ears finally gained respite.

The final part, thankfully, was a melancholic piece. A moody B&W arty flick, it follows the life of a wandering man and his dreams. The violin and piano piece was pleasantly fitting. Now this is what I was expecting. As with slice-of-life shows, the 40 mins passed by in a breeze and left me wanting for more.

I wish Capsule would take a tour down here…

An hour later, I returned for the Club segment. After the choice of music from the previous segment, I crossed my fingers, hoping that glitch tech will not be appearing in the playlist. This time around, the center of the recital studio was bare of cushions/seats. I wonder why…

Aoki Takamasa opened up the set with guns a-blazing. Bass booming and feedback reverberating, he kicked it off with some industrial tunes. Hmm, whatever happened to a warm up set? Further on, he mixed in some dub tech and IDM tunes. As the beats took shape, some of the audience stood up and nodded to the music.

30 mins in, a lone beatnik couldn’t hold it in any longer and proceeded to bust a move at center-stage. Man, he popped and locked without a care. A pro, from the looks of it. With the ice broken, others took to the floor and boogied on down. As for me, I was “dancing” in my seat. (I call it the electric chair treatment. Why? Picture this. Arms flailing, legs twitching, toes tapping and head-banging erratically. Not a pretty sight )

As the music winded down with minimal tech beats, it seemed that leaving the center-stage bare was a good idea after all. As the set ended, the audience were clamouring for more. In reply, Aoki re-appeared for a 10 min IDM set. The appreciative crowd got back into their groove. After the dust had settled from the 90 min set, I could only let out a meek “Whoa. That was some good shit.” Too bad there weren’t any CDs for sale outside the door. Guess I’ll have to keep an eye out for it when I’m re-visiting Tokyo.

A Shot In The Back @ RSC Block Party

This time around it’s all about the people. With erratic weather (it was raining intermittently) comes erratic dressers. It was the perfect opportunity for me to practice my street shots. (Most of them were back profiles, hence the title)

One thing that puzzled me was the abundance of “official” photo/video-graphers. You could easily identify them through their lanyard pass or green wrist-tags. (Perhaps only those with the tags were allowed to film. In that case, I’m a law-breaker then…)

The guy on the right had 4 DSLRs on him. Yes, you heard me right.

Onward to beautiful people! (Fashion critic mode engaged)

Going green for a green party? Sweet highlights on her bangs.

At Your Service - For $100/hr

I’d consider part-timing as a butler in this case.

Growing number of Singaporeans turning to do-it-all errand-running services. These companies will do almost anything, from queuing up at the post office to buying birthday presents and visiting neglected grandmothers.

One of the firms is run by 44-year-old Lawrence Lin, who gave up his job as an accountant to run errands.

For $80 to $120, excluding taxi fare, Mr Lin and his team of five part-timers will do almost any chore.

At the going rate, you’d have to be filthy rich to hire this kind of help. After all, their time is money.

Would you hire her for the day?

Saving Gaia @ RSC Block Party

Man, what a day. The inarugal RSC Block Party was a blast! A 12 hr marathon of good music, good food, good galleries and all for a good cause. (It’s that good…) Since I ain’t no storyteller, here’s some pictures instead.

Go west and you shall find

a wondrous place beyond the rainbow coloured railings

Glory To The Empire!

All hail Darth Vader! Here’s why…

Referencing one of pop-cultures most iconic super villains, The Vader Project recruits the world’s leading artists to each re-appropriate Darth Vader’s conventional black helmet into an art piece of their own. Recently touching down in Japan, over 10 regional artists including Bounty Hunter, T9G, Secret Base, Usugrow and DEVILROBOTS were all in participation alongside the other 90-some designs from around the world. The exhibition is part of Japan’s 30th anniversary Star Wars Celebration Japan taking place at Makuhari-Messe in Chiba, just outside Tokyo which runs from July 19th to the 21st.

Go on, click on the link. You know you wanna.

Come On You Apes! You Want To Live Forever?

Immortality. The Cure-All Elixir. Having recently watched Baccano!, a thought occurs. Is immortality all that’s cracked up to be? The series throws several propositions as how an immortal would live off his days.

*Possible Spoilers ahead*

Short Film Diaries: Loners’ Trilogy

Another Monday, another short film showing. This time around it was held at Sinema@OldSchool. A peeve though, trekking up those 140 steps to the venue after a day’s work is no fun. Moving on to the film…

Loners’ trilogy is a one director effort:

Three quirky stories about everyday people who feel stuck and lost, and are looking for that special ’something’ that’s missing in their lives. Just like most of us.

Fair enough. It was apt that I attended the screening by my lonesome self.

Good Times

Ever wondered if those telephone numbers scrawled on the men’s toilet cubicle wall really led to some “Good Time”? Desmond, a bored shop assistant thinks likewise, and attempts to contact the other side. After several aborted tries and a reprimand later, he finds out the address of the establishment. He finally gathers up his courage and drops by.

I love the leads. I just love the expressions they make when they eat. And when they talk, you can’t help but smile. Singlish may be a bane, but that’s what makes a Singaporean short entertaining. (In manageable doses, of course) And if you thought the “Good Time” offered was sex, shame on you.

Dai Bao (Big Bun)

A coffee shop assistant is enamored with a regular customer who orders Dai Bao every night. Her friend, Molly, laments at the sight, and tries to cover up her insecurity of being unattached. She shops at her usual CD stockist, and the new shop assistant hits on her. She turns him down for being a weirdo and goes about her days. With the New Year approaching and without a date, she cries at her lonesome state. With the CD shop assistant constantly pestering her, she eventually relents for a karaoke session.

The same actors this time around with slightly different roles. Still loving it. But I hate the CD SA part, because he tries too hard to be weird. (1970s clothes and a furry Russian hat? Puh-lease) At least the cinematography is better in this one.

Peter Ho

Peter Ho is a tour guide who is in a rut. Incompetent bosses and colleagues don’t help much, except for the level headed admin girl. As he loses interest in his job, he ponders on his next move. In an outburst with his boss, he resigns and for the first time in his life, take a vacation overseas.

Love the side characters, especially the tourists and delivery boy. Plus, the best “tour bus” ever. Uniquely Singapore, as the tourism board might say.

It may not seem much but the runtime was an hour. Most of the shots were the typical going-on of a lonely person. Eating, traveling and leisure activities. Two things that I appreciated were the use of humour and background music by local bands. I really connected with the series, since I’m a loner in a sense. I don’t describe myself as a lonely person though, I just enjoy living a solitary lifestyle and have a highly selective criteria for friendship.

Q&A session

Ah, the very reason why I hate elitist-anything. (I may be jumping the gun though)

There was the usual questions of shooting method and purpose of film graininess, (I already figured out that the guerilla style was due to budget constraint, like any other upstart filmmaker) any hidden profound message (IMO, it showcased the repression of man and a conflicting duality of ego. That’s what the questioner said. To me, it’s about human nature and slice of life. Nuff’ said)

Why can’t they just discuss philosophical musing among their company? If you’re airing your intellect within the general public, you’re a pompous twat to me. (Keep it to your clique) But hey, that’s just me.

The 20 outfits of Yuno-sama

Hidamari Sketch x365 has finally arrived. Besides being slice-of-life at its finest, there’s another reason why I’m such a fan. The characters actually have a wardrobe full of clothes.

Anyways, since I haven’t been commenting on fashion in anime for a looong time, I might as well reminisce on the first season of Hidamari Sketch, featuring the adorable Yuno-cchi.

*WARNING! Pic intensive post*

(I only took screencaps when her outfit was most visible. Also, since I only skimmed through each ep, I know that I’ll miss a few outfits/angles)

Starting the day in her PJs