At the zebra crossing right in front of me, I saw a brand new red Ferrari. At that moment, I wish I was holding an envelope of S$2,000,000 instead of IDR 2,000,000. 6,240 times off the mark.
Fortunately, there are moments in life that can’t be bought: like standing in front of a piece of fine art admiring the beauty within. I chanced upon a pamphlet of Singapore’s arts events guide and inside this guide, I highlighted all the free events and determined to check out at least an event or two. Yesterday I visited the Arts House and I was mesmerised by the works of the photographer J. Henry Fair – the Industrial Scars series (first two pictures on the left as sample). The photographs are beautiful but the underlying content is not. Toxic waste and foul environmental abominations, it was certainly an eye opener for me.
Today, I visited the NAFA Galleries for the Art Space Germany series (last two pictures from the right as sample). The oil paintings are intense! And there is one weird tilted white-ish multi-disc sculpture in the middle of the room that caught my attention. If only I can comprehend what the artist is trying to say.
The highlight of the festival for me is the Conservatory Lunchtime Concert at the Asian Civilisations Museum. 23 talented NUS first year music students performed the first movement of 6 of Haydn’s quartets (I did observe that one of the students has played two sets). What is most amazing was the presence of the director to explain the music through introductory speech and narration while the quartets were played. I certainly did not know that Haydn was once a teacher of Beethoven and has played (and learned) with Mozart. I miss those days when I played the school band and the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra. It is a surreal feeling to perform in public with your band-mates.
Speaking of the IDR 2,000,000 in my envelope, just less than 24 hours ago, I have decided to visit Cynthia at Jakarta – especially after hearing all the wonderful praises of the hotel she is staying. Besides, since she has enough mileage to get me a free return Singapore Airline ticket, why not?! I do miss visiting Jakarta as a tourist. 1997 was the year I had a 9 months project in Jakarta. I was dating Cynthia’s roommate back then. And I remember tossing hamsters in the air and to one another- Cynthia and I. Does that make her my … ex-mistress?
Anyway, stay tuned for more blog entries from the land of … almost everyone is a millionaire (okay, that is an exaggeration as there are many who live below the poverty level in Indonesia).
Not many locals visit art galleries to decode the deeper meaning of the artists and their works. Ah money is more important, huh? art? Nothing to do with my life what? Usually we like to think so. But only artists who truly experience what life is all about can create masterpieces, even with a few casual strokes of the brush or outright simplicity.
Hahhaa…yes yes…if there is a free air ticket, why not?
Ghim Seng – Ya, you are right. At times I wish that the art scene in Singapore is more vibrant. I really enjoy spending the whole day inside a museum. Like the ones in Paris, Italy … the art is so rich over there! I often think that art is some kind of “food” that needs to be consumed periodically.
Tigerfish – Oh yar! Actually I was about to fly budget airline that is only about S$70 each way before airport tax. Travelling these days are pretty affordable.