Esplanade Visual Arts: Devotion (in Singapore)

From now till 4 May, you can view free Visual Arts exhibition at the walkway from the Esplanade to Citylink mall. 

Devotion (in Singapore) is a photography exhibition of the different religions in Singapore. Although Singapore is ranked lowly in terms of press freedom, there is racial and religious harmony in Singapore. It is quite common to see temple, mosque or even church standing next to each others.The photos exhibited at Esplanade are all captured in Singapore by Eneko Ertz.

Different religion symbols. Hare Krishna devotees prostrating.

 Muslim men bid one another a communal farewell after Friday Prayers. 

 Taoists send paper money by to the dead during the Hungry Ghost Festival month. Paper iphone and others electronic gadgets can be offered to the dead. 

 Cleaning The Sikh flag during the Sikh Hola Mahalla Festival.

 Christians performing rituals on Holy Friday.

 Buddhist devotees kneel in a rite on Vesak Day.

 A Jewish man blesses his son.

 Zoroastrian symbols in a follower's home.

Spring in Singapore

After a record dry spell of 27 days, flowers are blooming in Singapore. I've been living here for the past three decades but I never seem anything like now. It looks so beautiful like it is spring. Well metaphorically speaking, it looks like spring since Singapore is a tropical country with summer all year long and occasional rain.

From afar, it looks like cherry blossom. Maybe after a tough season, flowers will bloom to their glorious moment.

Can you see the two small bees?

 I saw this beautiful tree with pink flowers blooming in Sentosa, outside Universal Studios.

Above and below:Flowers blooming in my neighborhood

Topdown View of Singapore Tampines HDB Flats

Based on Singapore Statistic, about 80% Singaporeans are residing in public Housing commonly known as Housing Development Board (HDB) flats. I have been living in Tampines town for the past 32 years in a HDB flat. My parents purchased the 5-room flat (actually there are four bedrooms) in the 1980s at about $80,000.00 only. However, with interest rates, it cost higher.  I prefer the older flats as it is more spacious compared to the latest HDB flats launched by the government. Tampines town is the largest residential area in Singapore and there are three shopping malls like Tampines Mall, Tampines1 and Century Square. 

This town is name after a 'large forest or ironwood tress' known as Tempini.

      Tampines HDB flats of various heights, and a Prime supermarket in the centre.

 Tampines community centre with the clock tower..

SingaPlural: 30 LifeStories-Remembering Parks

On my way to dinner, I passed by design exhibition at the part outside Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Some design concepts are impressive like the Spectrum that invite visitors to immerse themselves in the colourful spectrum of rainbow string. This exhibition was held during Singapore Design Week from 12 Mar to 16 Mar in Celebrating Design 2014. 

Spectrum designed by Claudio Colucci

Hive by Chua Aik Boon is inspired from having a public library in a park .

Doodle by Woo Mun Seng feature pencil benches

An overview of the design exhibition.

Shelter inspired from carousel and Singapore iconic playground features. 

LINEA is a line of furniture that are made up of geometrics shape and is formed from colourful nylon ropes.

View of Dhoby Ghaut.

15 Incredible Before and After Pictures that Reveal the Transformation of Singapore

Want to find out more about the incredible transformation of Singapore? Read more in Yahoo page.

Today Chinatown

Best Cakes in Singapore

On my 33rd birthday, my cousin treated me to two yummy chocolate and strawberry crepe cakes from Paris Baguette. The bakery is really thoughtful as it comes with candle, ice-pack and matchstick set. 

 Cute and delicious cakes.

 Mini matchstick package with candle. 

i Light Marina Bay Singapore Part 2

In this post, I'm going to share with you the light art installation I saw at Route A where you start your journey from DownTown MRT. I shared the Route B art installations in my previous post here.

It took us about 40 minutes to view all the art light installations for Route A where art installations are displayed in the Marina Bay area till 30 March this year. It took us some time as we waited for the crew to remove excess water at The Pool exhibition as it actually rained earlier in the evening. 

Take note that if it rain, the art installation will be cordoned off for safety purpose. 
On Earth Day, 29 March Saturday, the light will be turned off from 8.30 pm to 9.30pm. 

For more information, visit i Light Marina Bay 2014 website at http://www.ilightmarinabay.sg/

i Light Marina Bay 2014 will end on 30 March 11 pm. 

i Light Marina Bay map

A11 **Insert Caption Please by Ryf Zaini from Singapore. It is basically a giant speech bubble that displays thoughts and messages. 

A12 The Guardian Angels by Maro Avrabou and Dimitri Xenakis from Greece and France respectively. I like the concept of this art installation. " The Guardian Angels The Guardian Angels echoes the preservation of the garden and plants and by extension, nature. It highlights the role of the human and pays an indirect tribute to gardeners and artificially created nature. The work also points out that the growth of plants and trees is only possible with the contribution of three natural elements: light (sun), water and earth. The transformation of an everyday industrial item into a poetic object stops and challenges the passer-by. Unexpected and surprising, these watering-lanterns are a gesture of protection to our environment, but also a suggestion to give a second life to an object after use."

A13 Fool's Gold by Vertical Submarine from Singapore.  This is a huge arrow-shaped neon light signboard with the words " No Gold Buried here". It is related to a Chinese idiom about a fool who wants to hide his gold, but reveals its hiding-place by putting a sign on its burial spot.

The Pool by Jen Lewin Studio from USA. This is an interactive display where visitors can step on the circular light step and trigger change in colour. 

Visitors especially kids had fun creating special light effect by running and hopping on the pool.

JouJou-Ours by Uno Lai from Taiwan. Colourful Giant bear heads is inspired from the artist's childhood memories of hugging soft toys to sleep. 

A8 #WeHeartLight is a collaboration of 200 Singapore students who were guided to design simple red light boxes and the two artists from United Kingdom with the aim to educate the students on sustainable future.

Zoom up view of #WeHeartLight

A7 Mimosa by Jason Bruges Studio from United Kingdom. This art piece is inspired from the plant mimosa. This is interactive light display which move when you move your hands above the lighting as there are heat sensors. 

A4 Happy Croco by Bibi from France. It is a 20m long crocodile sculpture assembled with traffic cones and other objects.

iSwarm is a sea of luminous tube of cell light that react to the presence of visitors. This is a collaboration work of Singapore University of Technology and Design and Phillips Lighting.

iSwarm is one of my favourite lighting installation.

A2 The Wishing Tree symbolise the positive hope and dreams of visitors.

 The WonderFull water and laser free performance outside Marina Bay Sands. I was glad to catch the show at 9.30pm. 

Cross over the helix bridge to see route B art installations.

Skinny Pizza Again?

I really miss the lemon cheesecake and thus decided to go to Skinny Pizza for dinner. Alas, on both occasion, lemon cured cheesecakes are unavailable. Next time, I'm going to confirm that lemon cured cheesecake is available first before I go in. 

Nevertheless, I decided to try the pasta since my friend told me it tasted good and also their recommended The English Breakfast pizza. After tasting it, I think it is better to go for Smoked Turkey Swiss pizza as it doesn't turn soggy. 

Plain water is free. This is one thing I love.  

You can read my previous review here.

 Prawn Crema Rosa Tagliatelle. Not so impressive compared to Bay Prawn Capellini as the Tagliatelle is overcooked. 

 You can choose 3 sides and it cost $18.00, which is cheaper since each side cost between $7.00 to $9.00.

 Sweet Potato Nibblets taste better when it is hot. 

 English Breakfast comes with sunny egg, mushroom and bacon. I still prefer Smoked Turkey Swiss pizza as it doesn't turn soggy like The English Breakfast. 

 Really love this elegant Bay Prawn Capellini that comes with fragrant herbs and generous portion of prawns and slices of garlic. Garlic is good for your health. The capellini is al dente and springy and is better than Prawn Crema Rosa Tagliatelle.