AOTW [52] : Schrödinger’s Cat
First <Artiste Of The Week ‘AOTW’> for 2011, I have been really lazy and I still have an interview from last year that’s lying in my draft. (oops!) But to begin the year on a good note, I shall feature a local band which I’m really proud of – Schrödinger’s Cat !
According to what I know, or rather what Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory has mentioned, Schrödinger’s Cat is actually a principle in quantum theory of superposition. Interesting choice of a band’s name eh ? Not sure the reason behind it but maybe the band will explain it someday?
The band is pretty new I suppose but their song ‘Anything Goes’ has been featured as the theme song of a Singapore sitcom “Anything Goes” ! (Ok, the main reason why I’m so proud of them is because 2 of my really good friends from poly,GQ and Sek Jhia belongs to this local band too!) Their style is more mellow and I really appreciate it since there are just way too many rock/punk local bands brewing in Singapore.
Enjoy my personal favorite from the band so far ! Looking forward to more originals from them.
Schrodinger’s Cat – Debut performance of original song ‘Hurricane’ on 987fm
And I walked into the rain, chasing hurricanes.
Swinging by your place, to see your lovely face.
Well I know that it’s wrong now….
But I’m still knocking on your door…until the final day.
Feels like I’m afraid, the night will slip away.
Turning in my bed, with you stuck in my head.
I know I should be strong now….
But I….I think I’m gonna fall….
Give me a hurricane, to take my breath away; to tear me into pieces, spread me far away.
Blow me into senses, make me understand; one day you won’t be there….how long can we pretend?
You say, you’re feeling flat today; you’re rolling into space.
A drink will wake you up; it helps to start the day.
Well I’ll just fall asleep now….
While you….you just drive away….
You are my hurricane; you take my breath away; you tear me into pieces, spread me far away. You blow me out of senses, a little by a day. One day you won’t be there How long can we pretend?
Outside the air is still now…
It’s calm before the storm…
Before you go away… Before the you board the plane
And you will fly away now, 13 hours away.
Memories are vague…they’ll just fade away; I’d rather watch you blow your hair for every single day….
You are my hurricane. You take my breath away. You tear me into pieces, and spread me far away. Keep me in your dreambox when everything is gonna end. And maybe we’ll escape…maybe we’ll escape….
In our hurricane……
[Credits to Ler of Schrodinger's Cat.]
AOTW [23] : The Temper Trap
I’ve all along been a very ‘visual’ person. This video caught my eyes mainly because of a really simple reason – somewhere at 0:14 where the birds started flying in, it reminded me of the movie review I had to do back in polytechnic days. It gave me a nightmare to be honest. Not sure which movie I’m referring to ? Try watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” 5 times on one day !
That aside, I think this Aussie band is one of the upcoming ones. The song below is featured on the FIFA10 soundtrack for those of you who are gamers and might find it familiar.
By the way, check out their song “Sweet Disposition” which is the song that was featured on the teaser trailer and official soundtrack of “500 days of Summer”!
The Temper Trap “Science Of Fear”
Brakes on
Brakes on
The car is running empty
Brakes on brakes on
The car is runnin empty
Downhill
Head on
This crash is comin slowly
Downhill
Head on
This crash is comin slowly
Move
Or watch the slow death of your way of life
There’s a science to fear
It plagues my mind
And it keeps us right here
And it keeps us here
My ears
My eyes
My brain is slowly bustin
Black smoke
Red sky
The television’s sayin
Downhill
Head on another crash is comin
Move
Or watch the murder of you way of life
There’s a science to fear
It plagues my mind
And it keeps us right here
And the less we know
The more we sit still
My baby’s stuck on a road
That lead to nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere.
We Are What We Do, Rubbish…”Designers”?
Without a doubt, I am a proud graduate of Temasek Polytechnic, School of Design. It was a well-spent 3 years because I have learnt alot about design , and myself as an individual. Being one of the pioneer batch of Design School Ambassador, I have been active in most school events and even though I have graduated (for coming 2 years), I dare say that my heart is still with the school. Because of the same reason, I am really disappointed with the juniors after hearing stories and looking at the current situation in school.
Take a look at these pictures (Thanks Moses for posting on facebook), they were taken in our school’s studio space which is a common ground for all design students to do their work/attend their classes. Back in my years, it was also a great hangout for us after classes and a place to work till wee hours for our final year projects. There is a rule for “No Food/Drinks allowed” but being “rebellious” students (as we once were) – nobody really cares about the little plastic signs on the doors.
BUT it certainly makes a difference when individuals do not abide by regulations and do not have basic courtesy/social responsibilities . We (perhaps except a few black sheep) do clean up our mess after using the studio. Especially when it comes to sneaking in food – Who in the right mind would leave their “evidence” behind ?! Sure, I agree that working late in school can be tiring and food is definitely a good way to keep us awake. However, I also believe that we should be responsible for our own mess and not rely on the cleaners of the school. They are not your personal maids.
I think the school has been really lenient when it comes to rules and students’ rights, it’s been said that “There are no rights without responsibility, and there is no responsibility without rights.” If you wish for people to respect you as an individual, respect yourselves and behave like a mature young adult. I don’t see how difficult it is to pick up these rubbish and throw them in the bins that are available on every single level of the school. We can be great “designers” AND good citizens of the school at the same time.
IF you can create a “cause” on facebook,which I must highlight that the description has been changed after much debate on the way this was handled. (You can still view some of the rather rude comments and silly suggestions on how to deal with our canteen problems.) I just have one thing to say about this – it really reflects and says alot about the students to see something like this happening. Immature ? Selfish ? No comments.
Why not create another “cause” – “Save the Design School Studios” ? Hah ! I hope the new batch of Design School Ambassadors/Design Studies Club can look into these matters. Why wait for the school to take action on this when YOU have the right and say in how you want the school to be like – it’s YOUR school afterall. We are what we do, I don’t think “litterbug” is ever on my CV and it is certainly not how we “designers” should be like. Bad habits are hardest to get rid of ?
With this post, I just hope that juniors reading this will reflect on their own behavior and stop creating disappointments for the seniors/alumni. Not forgetting the lecturers who have to deal with this every day.
Sure, all seniors have things to say about their juniors – but I don’t think I was being unfair to voice this out, especially when I’m taking the risk to “wash the school/my dirty linen in public”. If you have any feedbacks/solution to this matter, feel free to leave a comment.
Design Ignites Change : Greater Than 60
Worldstudio launched a new project “Design Ignites Change” which is a self-guided mentoring programme for high school/college students to produce creative works that address to the theme of fostering positive social change. (Click on the screencap to find them on Facebook)
Since they are teaming up with Adobe Youth Voices, I think it will be a really good breakthrough learning experience for the students using interactive media tools. 1) It allows students to showcase their talent on a open platform. 2) The projects are meaningful and more visible and beneficial. 3) There are more public/professional’s input. 4) The works are recognized based on the designer’s ideas and not client’s. 5) Potential job opportunities open up for these students.
Although “Design Ignites Change” is not a local project, we do have something similar here in Singapore. >60 Design Centre (read as Greater Than 60) is probably the first local design project that promotes positive social change. It targets the ageing population here in Singapore and encourages young designers (mainly those who are pursuing their diplomas in Temasek Design School,TDS) to provide design ideas and solutions to meet the needs. It is also the Singapore’s National Design Centre for Ageing. (click here to view facebook group – When Silver Turns to Gold)
I participated in one of the project ” A Generation of Ideas” while I was still in TDS, we submitted 3 design proposals each which address the needs of the elderly and we students generated 824 designs altogether. Of course, only 101 ideas were featured in the book (sadly not mine,haha) . Let me know if any of you are interested to take a look ! 
Being a TDS graduate and current Social Sciences student, I think such projects should gain more publicity and support from the public. Afterall, these projects are beneficial to the society and most of them are non-profit making. It is not easy to make a living in the creative industry, not to mention in Singapore. But I feel that to be a good designer, it doesn’t require alot of award-winning ideas but sometimes all it takes to make a difference, is to value-add your designs and contribute back to the society. It applies to everyone – money and value, which would you choose ?
