An artist right down to the melancholic core, retire was the one thing Mr. Sendak could never do. He was driven to write and draw—and read and listen—until the very end. If we are lucky, some of what was on his drafting table in recent months will eventually find its way into print. (via)

Today, another brilliant mind came to rest.

In memory of the author who created phenomenal book Where the Wild Things Are, Philadelphia’s Rosenback Museum & Library will be offering free admission to the Maurice Sendak gallery today.

“Oh please don’t go - we’ll eat you up - we love you so.”

Goodbye Mr Sendak. 

Photo by Frank Armstrong. From Rosenback Museum & Library.

She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars. - Neil Gaiman

If you haven’t heard about her yet, this is Holly Clare Orford. A very young artist from Australia, who may be going places when her art gets picked up by the big guns.

In a sphere where the likes of Rebecca Black and Justin Bieber emerge, I sure hope the Internet will catapult this young artist from Australia. We need more positive findings in this abyss of talents waiting to be found.

Orford’s art - or I would like to call them, Orford’s girls, take on a melancholic perspective of texture and white-washed beauty. 

There is an innate sadness is all of us. Some take it upon themselves toward self-destruction, while there is a pool of hope-lifters clinging to this darkness for something beautiful.

Orford is one of these creative hopefuls, and she is clinging for the light. She brings with her these beautiful creations while she is at this.

Looking forward to more from her, preferably in a gallery near town.  

A couple of days ago, I wrote that I was going to visit Shinji Ohmaki’s Moment and Eternity at Third Floor - Hermès. 

A decadent lunch at PAUL and a couple of errands later, I made a trip to Third Floor. 

It surprised me how small Third Floor was. Perhaps I was expecting a couple of galleries but it was a simple venue. 

Third Floor is a collaboration with Singapore Tyler Print Institute through the Institute’s Director, Emi Eu. Moment and Eternity marks the tenth installation by Eu at the Hermès location.

Moment and Eternity is Ohmaki’s second solo exhibition for 2012. The installation comprises of elaborate floral motifs said to be inspired by the kimono. The motifs are made from coloured sand. Visitors are able to view samples of the sand at the main counter. 

Ohmaki explained that floral motifs are found in almost every culture. Having this exhibition in multi-cultural Singapore also allows visitors here to reflect on where it is they come from.

Before entering to view the exhibit, I was told to wear covers for my shoes. The purpose of the artwork is to encourage visitors to walk over the motifs. Each footstep changes the artwork, and this is a testament to the movement of time itself. 

In order to preserve the artwork on the floor, the shoe covers were a necessity. While most of the artwork are slowly fading away, the original artwork can be seen at the corners of each room - where left untouched by many feet.

On the wall, a framed display shows the original artwork. I compared between the unblemished original artwork and the faded piece on the floor. It makes one realise the work they contributed through their footsteps and how the artwork transforms into something else. 

A simple and reflective piece. 

Moment and Eternity runs until 3 June 2012 at Third Floor - Hermès, Liat Towers, Orchard Road. The gallery opens from 10.30am to 7.30pm daily, admission is free.

You have to enter through the main entrance at Hermès. Walk up the stairs to the third floor, do not let the decadence intimidate you. 

Ohmaki’s next exhibition or installation will be with the Singapore Art Museum’s Art Garden. Entitled Echoes - Infinity, the installation will run from 18 May to 12 August 2012. 

I’m very excited to view this piece for Art Garden. I saw an image from a show at Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art. Art Garden is in the third successful run at SAM, and in conjunction with Children Season 2012. 

I think this piece is definitely something that will get children a little bit excited. 

One exhibition I would love to visit tomorrow would be Shinji Ohmaki’s Moment and Eternity at Third Floor – Hermès. 

A sea of floral motifs enveloped the entire floor of Third Floor. Visitors are encouraged to walk around the room, reminding them every step they take bears consequences. 

I like Ohmaki’s message that this is the moment we live in, and every actions have repercussions.

Moment and Eternity is currently Third Floor – Hermès, Liat Towers until 3 June 2012. Opens daily from 10.30am to 7.30pm, admission to exhibition is free. 

These photographs by Turkey-based designer Gokhun Guneyhan drip with vintage elegance. What I really love about his work is also the creative cover photos he designed for each set. 

As a designer, I’m a believer of the great adage: less is more. The clever use of relevant typography to each photograph sets the message straight - less is indeed, more. 

Sometimes I find myself sitting down with a bowl of comforting cereal, sieving through his albums and take in each beautiful shot. My favourite is his Prague set; serene and inviting.

My heart is set on his Budapest set. He captured the wonderful memories I remember from my visit in 2010 - right down to each spire.

1000scientists:

Don’t take gear too seriously, M. Wriston took these stunning landscapes with his iPhone on Instagram

Visual artist Naomi London challenges conventional artistic methods and engages viewers. 

For this work, she applied 100 pounds of raspberry jam on a gallery wall. 

“Something to love. Something to do. Something to hope for. Someone, I can’t remember who, once said these are the essentials for happiness.” Quote from The Sad Truth About Happiness by Anne Garadini.

Interestingly enough, viewers are encouraged to put these pieces together to find out the essentials for happiness.

Taking on depths beyond text messaging or Skype, “Roly Poly is designed to enable two individuals to “sense” the presence of each other even though they may be physically apart. The mirrored movements in a pair of Roly Polys is such that a soft tap to rock one will simultaneously rock its partner to the same degree, creating a corresponding reaction in the other instantly.” (via)

ladyinterior:

This December, in a surprisingly simple yet ridiculously amazing installation for the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, artist Yayoi Kusama constructed a large domestic environment, painting every wall, chair, table, piano, and household decoration a…

It is officially Elephant Parade time! Opening on 11.11.11 (honestly, everyone is fighting to have their events on this date), there will be about 165 art elephants around Singapore.

A charity event aimed to help the Asian elephant, this show has life-sized elephant statues painted by artists. These statues will then be on display around town, and at the end of the show, they will be auctioned off. Parts of the proceed will help to conserve the Asian elephants. More information at their official website. 

Singapore is hosting the Parade’s first run in Asia, and one of the locations is the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Today, the elephants moved in. It was a treat for passing visitors to view the first peek at these beauties. 

Note the upcoming Patterns of Trade exhibition opening at the ACM on 15 November!

This little guy may look boring and green, but come down to ACM and see him. You will be very surprised when you do. A very iconic piece, this one.

Of course, these pieces at ACM do not stop just at the front lawn. When you enter the museum, you will be greeted by this spectacular piece.

The elephants at ACM are chosen for a purpose - you will come to realise that they are very relevant to the Museum’s objectives. There are some oriental-looking elephants, while others, like this piece above exudes a South Asian feel.

ACM also has a very interesting activity to go with the show. Have you ever wanted to display your artwork at a museum before? Well the ACM gives you that chance when you design your own elephant. After designing, you may leave it on a display shelf at the gallery. 

Cards are only available from this Saturday, 12 November.

Speaking of galleries, don’t be surprised if you see an elephant or two (or three), and I heard the ones in the galleries are amazing! Not just the galleries, I suspect there may be one more hiding at an obscure corner in the museum. Keep your eyes peeled!

For other locations, you can download a map of their whereabouts at the Elephant Parade Singapore website. It’s in high-res, so pixels galore!