After lunch at Bliss House theme restaurant, the next item on our agenda is to visit one of CNN's twelve must see exhibitions: The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya at Singapore's Art Science Museum. I bet most of us have played with those small little colourful blocks during our childhood days. Sadly, I didnt own a lego set because it is deemed as a rich kid's kind of toy and my family was trying hard to make ends meet back then. However, I managed to touch these blocks during a couple of times in my kindergarten, where we were given few minutes of play time. Yet these few minutes were almost never enough to me, as I was too ambitious, wanting to build tall buildings each time. Laying your hands on this small block is a miraculous feeling, because you get to create anything you want! Let your imagination run wild, baby! Thus, I can fully resonate with Nathan's feelings when he painstakingly create each sculpture from scratch.
Anyway some background information for the curious ones: Nathan is a full time New York based artist who spends his life time trying to create sculptures using Lego blocks. He travels around countries to showcase his exhibitions and latest creations. He gets his ideas and inspirations from anything, from day to day human interaction and communication to the world wide web. His biggest creation yet so far is that of the Tyrannosaurus Rex which is currently housed at Singapore's Art Science Museum. So museum goers, you are in for a treat!
Nathan Sawaya, relaxing in a pool of lego bricks. So cute right!! A pity the exhibition in Art Science Museum didnt have this. Took some photos of some of the sculptures which appealed to me. As there are elements of strobe lighting and smoky effects in the exhibition, the photos didnt turn out that well. Oh yes, since strobe lighting was used, this exhibition is not recommended for epilepsy sufferers in case it triggers nasty seizures.
I cant agree any more with this. In fact, I agree with most of Nathan's viewpoints. He gives a short desription of each artwork, which relates his rationale for the creation and the emotions he experienced when creating it.
This is the classic one which you see printed on the exhibition brochures. This artwork reminds me of the typical conversation between a couple with insecurities.
Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Yes of course I do!
Girl: Show me
Boy pulled open his shirt and ripped off his heart to show her. End of a tragic love story for the pair which doubted each other's love.
Swimming.
This reminds me, why didnt I take the description to accompany the artwork! ARGH. It must have slipped out of my mind. Thus you will only see few descriptions.
Peace. Can I ask for world peace? Typical Miss World Universe answer.
Holding on to the little lego brick. Did I mention that Nathan used glue when constructing each artwork? This is to facilitate the smooth transport of these artefacts into the exhibition hall to prevent them from disintegrating into its individual parts.
Almost everyone who visits this exhibition will give this typical pose. Boring!
See, I am different. Staring intently at the blue man who is deep in thoughts.
This is one of my favourite ones at the exhibition! This is true love. Beyond everything superficial. That looks a bit like my figure! Thunder thighs. Hahah.
I remembered this one clearly. Nathan asked if one day you get to choose how you will look like, which shape will you choose? Personally, I will want to have a triangle head because that means I can my head will come in handy during self defence. Back off robbers or lechers!
Oops. Blurred photo.
Carrying a huge burden on your back.
Alfred Hitchcock. Director of the psychological thriller Psycho.
Shadow play. Silhouettes are interesting. Darn! I should have made a superman pose or any seductive poses! Mind was in a blank when I was standing there though and the spotlight was really glaring! Can you sense some Andy Warhol qwerkiness at work?
There are a couple of interactive corners for the visitors and here's one of them! Snap a picture using their camera on the device and be amazed at your Lego transformation! Pixelated mini-us.
Can Nathan do a life size version of me in Lego form?
A musical note. The one term I was trying to recall when I saw this was a Treble Clef, which isnt this at all.
At the entrance of the exhibition, you and your partner get to hold on to two gigantic pencils and pose for a photo. I didnt do this. But now I regretted! Haha... it's just so cute.
This is another of my favourites.
This is so true. I am a high self-monitor and I treat different people differently in various situations.
Browsing through Lego books. This is his best photo in my opinion. Captured his innocence in this shot.
We had fun catching the crooks in the books. A test on your visual eyesight.
The 20 feet T-Rex. I am not a huge fan of dinosaurs, but this one is indeed impressive. It must have been difficult to transport this piece to Singapore.
What is behind a face? A hollow skull.
Shadow play. Mini dinos!
Art Science Museum commissioned Nathan to construct this one. This guy can really build anything you want! Just tell him your idea and he will be glad to help.
Doesnt this resemble our favourite Campbell soup cans? I love cream of mushroom especially!
Reflexology path. I saw a few brave souls walking on the path. I thought it wasnt for walking, merely for display. Otherwise if the bricks came apart then how!
Leave your messages on this Post-it Wall. I didnt. Wait, I should have told Nathan to make a life size version of me! Haha. Fat hope.
The next Nathan at work... Haha... This masterpiece was proudly crafted by me. A pity the blocks dun come in 7 colours, hence I made do with 6 colours. Can you notice another grave mistake made by me? Leave a comment if you realised what's wrong with this Lego.
This exhibition has been extended till 26 May 2013, so catch it if you havent! I think I spent close to 3 hours in there ( I spent half an hour constructing my own Lego... haha). Totally worth the $13 ticket price.
After the exhibition, we went to Vanilla Bar which was located at the hidden corner of the CBD district. Reached there at 6pm and the place was nearly empty except for a few expatriates chit chatting over a few glasses of beer. This place had a hint of Japanese feel.
Notice the Domo stashed inside a corner welcoming you. Any place with Domo is a place for me.
The neat collection of robots. Arent these really old school? It looks like it's from the 70s or 80s!
The star of the day. A potted plant with wriggly earthworms!
Fooled you! It's actually this place's specialty dessert, the Vanilla Dirt Cake ($9.50).This is a replica of a potted plant and it shows how the chef injects fun into his food. Crushed oreo bits were supposedly the muddy soil while the gummy worms passed off as earthworms! 10 points for the chef for making this dessert too cute to eat. Taste wise, this dessert reminded me of Macdonald's Mcflurry with its crushed oreo bits and vanilla mousse. Probably it's a little pricey for this dessert, but how often do you get to eat out of a potted plant?
My special cake of the day after Bliss House's brownie.
Holding this potted plant dearly in my hands. Look at how delicate the flower is.
Will definitely return to try their main dishes and sandwiches. Prices are wallet friendly from $15 to $20. Not over the top like posh restaurants. Recommended for those who want to chill out in the serenity, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life.
3 Boon Tat Steet
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Here's a photo of the two bouquets I received this year. Loved both to bits! One is a bouquet of artificial flowers handmade with love and another is a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from a well known florist. Can keep both bouquets for a long long time because I am going to make potpourri out of the fresh ones.
