九把刀 Giddens Ko was in Singapore

I was so delighted and excited to attend 柯景騰 Giddens Ko's book sharing and signing session at Singapore Popular bookfair held at Suntec City last December 14. He is popularly known by his pseudonym of "Jiubadao"九把刀 (nine blades) and is Taiwanese popular author and director of the movie "You are the Apple of my Eyes" or 那些年，我們一起追的女孩. He came to Singapore to promote his latest documentary movie, <十二夜> Twelve Nights on the plight of stray dogs in Taiwan. 

This talented author and director is really funny and made us laugh during his one hour sharing. Though he is not so handsome, I am attracted by his talent and his sense of humor. But then he is attached already.

I hope there be more book signing and sharing event by authors. Popular Bookshop please continue to invite these popular authors. 

http://www.giddens.tw/blog

He looked so dashing when he sat like that. 

Box office hit,  "You are the Apple of my Eyes" or 那些年，我們一起追的女孩

九把刀 Giddens Ko 

He looks so different now compared to the past! The author and his beloved dog.

Book signing and sharing event at BookFest Singapore 2013

Think carefully before you buy a pet. Remember to take care, love and be committed to your pet once you brought it.

Snapshots of Waterloo Street

 People love to touch the Laughing Buddha stomach for good luck and prosperity.

The street is lined with Chinese New Year greeting, gearing for CNY festive.

Sculpture Square at Middle Road Singapore

The free art exhibition by Singaporeans ended last week at Sculpture Square,formerly known as Middle Road Church. I saw this unique building sprayed with graffiti after praying at Kuan Yin temple at Waterloo street. This place is about 8 minutes walk from Bugis MRT.  

Posters, newspapers articles relating to arts on the wall.

Service to the nation can be via defence and economy contribution. Singapore soldier and Singapore Airline stewardess uniform being combined.

In this small dressing room, lady can remove their bottom and take a snap shot of their naked butt in Amanda Heng art project. No, I didn't participate in this project.

A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s at National Museum of Singapore

I really enjoyed the arts at National Museum of Singapore which features the exhibition, A Changed World : Singapore Art 1950s-1970s. I think the arts displayed here are comparable to those I saw at New York Museum of Modern Arts. If I have money, I guess I want to buy Liu Kang's painting. I really find his paintings very charismatic and with soul. 

From National Gallery
A Changed World explores the development of Singapore art in light of the rapid changes that took place in Singapore after World War II. It charts the artists’ own engagement with changes in Singapore’s political, economic, social and urban landscape, and how they expressed their responses through their art. The exhibition spans Singapore’s immediate post-war period, from which both an artistic and national consciousness began to emerge, to the 1970s, when a Singaporean identity came to be solidified while artists adopted a new pictorial language that was more international. The exhibition will feature over 120 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from the National Collection. 

Exhibition Gallery 2, Basement 
Date: 25 Oct 2013 - 16 Mar 2014 
Time: 10am - 7pm (last entry at 6.30pm) 
Admission: Free Admission

National Day 1967 by Liu Kang depicts the scene of National Day celebration with commemorative banners adorning the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.

Negotiating a Nanyang Identity

Sharing by See Hiang To 

 From left to clockwise: Painting Class 1956, Old NAFA-St Thomas Walk 1954 by Lim Yew Kuan

Embracing Modernism section

Singapore River

Music, 1979, Mixed media on canvas by Tan Ping Chiang

By Liu Kang

Modern Art

A Clear Day by Yeo Hoe Koon. Looking at this painting reminds me of the arts at New York Museum of Modern Arts. I wanna buy this to display at my home.  He listened to opera while painting. It kinda look like dancing strokes or people running or dancing.

One of my favorite arts by Liu Kang, Artist and Model, 1954. It looks so cheery bright with white outline of the Bali scene.

Happy New Year & A Blessed Year to All!

May all your dreams and aspirations come true in 2014!

Ode to Art at Raffles City Shopping Mall in Singapore

I really like some of the Chinese and western arts in this art gallery, Ode to Art at Raffles City shopping mall. But then it doesn't come cheap as each piece cost at least a few thousands. Maybe I create my own art. 

 This art gallery where you can buy expensive arts look like a museum right?

 Towards progress mini gallery walk outside the gallery

Unique Architecture: Parkroyal on Pickering

This unique architecture with lush greenery sky gardens on different levels of the Parkroyal on Pickering hotel and office is designed by Singapore firm WOHA Architects Pte Ltd and is awarded the President's Singapore Design Award 2013, Design of the Year 2013 award. It is located on Upper Pickering Street and is a walking distance from Raffles Place MRT station. When I first saw it, I thought it looked like many layers of cardboard stacking on top of each others due to the texture and color at the bottom. 

Singapore is a small island that is known as a Garden city. This architecture really epitomize Singapore, a land of high rise building( due to limited land) and greenery. 

ParkRoyal on Pickering

 A model of Parkroyal hotel on Pickering at National Design Centre

Topview of the Parkroyal

Exhibition of award-winning designs at National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road. It is 5 minutes walk from Bugis MRT station.

Wong Mun Summ Lectures on PARKROYAL on Pickering at WAF

Singapore Countdown at Marina Bay

Are you ready for countdown to 2014? 3 more days to 2014!

Bras Basah Complex, a Treasure Trove for Art & Design Booklovers

Located near both Bugis and Cityhall MRT, Bras Basah Complex is a favorite treasure trove for arts, design and booklovers. You can enjoy really good price for the wide range of arts and design related books and magazines. Now Popular Central bookshop has increased their Art & Design selection, besides stationery, English and Chinese books and assessment books. I really love their newly revamped bookshop. 

For art & design booklovers, you must not miss Basheer Graphic Books shop which is offering 20% discount on most books. I'm so glad I saved about $20.00 after the discount. Offer ends at end of December this year. 

http://bras-basah-complex.com.sg/portal/

 Popular bookshop has increased their Art & Design books range! 

 Basheer Graphic Books shop is now offering 20% discount till 31 December this year. 

 Bras Basah Complex. The books here are definitely cheaper than those in orchard road

Amazing Time-Lapse Video of Singapore Changi Airport

Everytime I return to Singapore, the first place in Singapore I reached is Singapore Changi Airport. Everytime I see the iconic control tower, I know I'm back home.

FACTS & STATISTICS OF CHANGI AIRPORT 
http://www.changiairport.com/

Serving about 100 international airlines flying to some 250 cities in 60 countries and territories worldwide, Changi Airport handles about 6,500 flights every week and over 50 million passengers a year.

SIZE

Total size of Changi Airport: 1,300 hectares (1,800 football fields)
Number of runways: 2
Length of each runway: 4km

SIZE PER TERMINAL (SQUARE METRES):

Terminal 1 – 280,020
Terminal 2 – 358,000
Terminal 3 – 380,000

YEAR OF TERMINAL OPENING:

Terminal 1 – 1981
Terminal 2 – 1990
Terminal 3 – 2008

MOVEMENTS

Annual air transport movements in 2012: 324,722
Daily average air transport movements in 2012: 889.65

AIRCRAFT STANDS

Number of aircraft stands served by an aerobridge: 92
Number of remote stands: 37

DESTINATIONS & AIRLINES

Number of airlines: 106
Number of destinations served: 250 cities (60 countries)

TOP 10 CITIES*

1) Jakarta
2) Hong Kong
3) Bangkok
4) Kuala Lumpur
5) Manila
6) Tokyo
7) London
8) Bali
9) Sydney
10) Ho Chi Minh City

TOP 10 MARKETS*

1) Indonesia
2) Thailand
3) Australia
4) Malaysia
5) China
6) Hong Kong
7) India
8) Philippines
9) Japan
10) Vietnam

PASSENGER NUMBERS

Average number of passengers arriving & departing per day: 136,738
Number of passengers arriving and departing in 2012: 51.2 million
Busiest day ever recorded (passenger numbers): 22 December 2012 with 180,400 passengers
Busiest month ever recorded (passenger numbers): December 2012 with 4.92 million passengers
Busiest year ever recorded (passenger numbers): 2012 with 51.2 million passengers
Percentage of transfer passengers in 2012: 30%
Percentage of premium passengers in 2012: 10%

EMPLOYMENT

Number of Changi Airport Group employees: 1,400
Total number of staff working at Changi Airport: 32,000

*Accurate as of May 2013 What goes on in a day in Singapore's award-winning Changi Airport? Video from Yahoo

Singapore iconic air traffic control tower

Versatility of Durian

At Ngee Ann shopping basement 2, you can find Four Seasons Durians where there are a variety of durian desserts. My favourite dessert is the durian pancake. They will prepare the pancake on the spot and then fill the pancake with a generous dollop of frozen durian. Each pancake costs about $1.90. Normally I buy one or two durian pancakes to eat. 

How to go to Ngee Ann City Shopping mall?
Just alight at Orchard road MRT and walk for about 8 minutes via Wisma Atria shopping mall to Ngee Ann City shopping mall . 

You can see the price and menu at Four Seasons Durian website.http://www.fourseasonsdurians.com/

Durian pancake

They are quite generous with the durian filling

Durian cakes, durian puff, durian mochi, durian pudding. Everything made with durian