Keeping abreast of things.

Instructables constantly comes up with the most ingenious items to make. But the Voloptuous Pillow Chairs really takes the cake. For all our hot-blooded male readers out there, what would you give just to nuzzle into these cushy, erm, breasts?

Hello, I’m Artsy-Fartsy

Dressing up for events can be both equally enjoyable and tedious. Most of us can handle the more than apparent smart-casual dresscode (reads: if you’re wearing jeans, top it off with a blazer). Let’s say you receive an invite to the opening reception of an art exhibition, and it calls for the dreaded smart-casual once again, how do you interpret that?

The tip is to blend in with the artsy, indie crowd and not stick out like a sore thumb. You’re basically dealing with a group that prides on individualism. With their distinct styles and clothes so amazingly out of this world, from your artists, designers, curators, gallery owners, potential art buyers – you can pick them out just from the clothes on their back. Don’t panic, it isn’t as complicated. Inhale, exhale and rummage through your wardrobe – it’s easy being artsy-fartsy!

Let’s start off with the ladies (sorry guys, next post will be for the dudes!). To the opening reception at an alternative/underground art space, start with these five tips:

1. Plain white tops are a real gem. It gives you the opportunity to dress up/down, layer and accessorise.
2. Pick a signature bottom. With a simple top, you’re allowed to go avant-garde down below. In this case, grey harem pants! Look for a bottom with interesting detail, architectural structure and something that’s a little more complicated than your top.
3. Shades/specs – designers love upping the geek factor with them. Wayfarers are usually favoured.
4. Accessorise! Pick something chunky, cos’ skinny sterling silver necklaces/bracelets just won’t cut it. A personal preference – match your accesories with your shoes. For example, if your shoes have hints of red, throw on that flashy red necklace you never thought you’d wear!
5. The artsy folks love their sneakers. Perhaps it’s the sheer convenience of it all, from Vans, Converses, Toms – androgy is key. If you’re afraid of colour, stick to the monotones because they match everything!

Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy! Although, here’s a word of caution from a dear friend, “in desperate situations, wrapping a watercolour painting around you is a no-no”.

Is this home, truly?

Graffiti, or also known as Street Art, has enjoyed an infamy like no other form of art. Some consider this urban art as a nuisance, others marvel its liberal attitude – that spaces hold no boundaries to this free form of expression.

Graffiti strikes...gold?

When one thinks of Street Art, famous names like Banksy and The London Police come to mind – their works usually sprawled in common spaces and done under the public eye. So would housing graffiti and having it confined within the pristine white walls of a gallery lose its essence?

Is this home, truly? is a homecoming showcase of “graffiti art” in Singapore. Like the National Day song in 1998 by Kit Chan, these local artists faced a “struggle to find a home in their expression”. I discovered during the opening reception of this exhibition last week that it’s not always about bold strokes and familiar hip-hop elements that is so definitive about this art form.

From things we see in our everyday lives…

(Spot the LV-esque monograms?)

(Wonder what’s the currency of Killer Gerbil Dollars? Or how the Singapore skyline seems to emit a certain glow?)

(And sometimes, when the going gets tough, you just need to hold on.)

Is this home, truly? – A homecoming showcase of ‘Graffiti Art’ in Singapore is at Fortune Cookies Project from 5-22 March 2010.

Polkadot Monsters Welcomes Another New Writer

Polkadot monsters welcomes Kim s! She’s our artistic advocator and part-time dreamer. Look out for her yummy first post here.

Don’t be afraid.

So you’ve snagged a date with that cute guy you met at that company event last week. Plans are made for a nice Sunday lunch where you’d chortle, blush and keep fingers (and toes) crossed that he finds you interesting.

Lunch is done, so what next? First dates are always a tad tricky – first impressions count as much as we deny so. A trip to the movies – action flick vs. romcom? Window shopping – oh no, would he think you’re a brand-conscious, gold-digger?

Then you take a risk and suggest, “How about catching that exhibition at that quirky art gallery?”. Chances are, he might think you’re slightly queer. Suddenly window-shopping isn’t such a bad idea.

So why are most people adverse to appreciating art? Does it sap up too much energy or require much usage of the grey matter? A colleague and I wound up at an exhibition opening this evening (more like I coerced her into following me) and pondered on that – why do people not want to see art? As we observed the mandatory artsy crowd, and watched that sole good-looker stride past in her Louboutin’s, it slowly became apparent that there was a fear of being around these people. They all seem so self-assured and even as they mingled amongst like-minded peers, it was as though they were sharing a good private joke that no one else outside this elusive little art circle should have the privilege to understand.

Perhaps it’s time to include the rest of the world in on that private joke. Do you want to laugh along too?

(I think I hear my colleague cheering in the background.)