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The regulars of our reviews might have noticed that there are now more than a few of them that feature cars shot in the depths of night instead of the bright afternoons, as has long been our usual practice. I'd like to think they are making a stylistic contribution to your overall viewing experience on the site, although truth be told, the serenity, absence of traffic, and overall quiet isolation (as well as the predictability of artificial light), have all been stronger draws for me to head out to shoot under the cover of moonlight. Expect to see more night shoots from us in the near future! I can’t really whip up a smooth transition here, so let’s just move on to talk about that isolation for a bit. Those used to looking from behind the viewfinder, I think, should not be too alien to the appeal of a quiet photography session. Many of the great photographers including Henri Cartier Bresson and Elliot Erwitt shot predominately alone. Then there's Vivian Maier, who did not gain recognition for her work documenting the streets of Chicago until after her death - something all of you struggling to gain traction on Instagram ought to think about. Photography is commonly imagined to be a quiet and solitary hobby/job - or it is, at least, in the fields where the object of said photography is predominantly the street or landscape. I like to think it probably is equally isolating in other fields. Darkroom work isn't exactly best done in a crowded room, and even today I’d like to think editing digital photos is typically done alone. But as is the case with many things in life, there are exceptions to the rule. Consider, for example, Philippe Halsman, who not only worked with Salvador Dali to produce this astonishing piece of work, Dali Atomicus (that apparently took a total of 26 attempts to get right), but also was a dear friend to the surrealist painter. Would the same shot have been possible if the two did not have a close working relationship? I highly doubt it. Look up the photograph and you’ll find images of the exposures that were rejected for one reason or another - Dali Atomicus was no doubt an excruciating piece to get right. It’s no wonder Halsman always saw some strange artistic value to blowing up a few cats (remember, this work was all shot on film). I doubt Philippe Halsman would have been able to accomplish this exposure were it not for his relationship with Dali I'm not sure what sort of life Halsman lived, being in such proximity to one of the greatest artists of his own time - note that he was also in contact with Albert Einstein, whom he also famously took portraits of, and additionally had worked for Vogue in France before fleeing to the U.S.A when war broke out in Europe. But prior to all this, he was sentenced to prison after being convicted for the murder of his own father, where he contracted tuberculosis to boot. Now, I'm no fan of the stereotype of the hungry and struggling artist, but perhaps a bit of a life lived in the darkness is fundamental in bringing out the best of our creativity. If you’d allow me to introduce another artist who was also convicted of murder, I'd like to have you consider the works of Caravaggio. Caravaggio is arguably best known for The Taking of Christ, but my favourite from the artist is The Calling of Saint Matthew. There's just so much to unpack here - notice Christ's halo here is barely visible, the cross in the window atop his outstretched yet not entirely tensed gesture - a dark foreshadowing of course, how the other tax collectors on either sides of Matthew lean away to add to the composition of the painting, and how two of them are even so obsessed with the coins on the table they miss the divine in their presence entirely. It's a beautiful work, no doubt. But of course, the most beautiful part of the work, is how the light is depicted - an allegory for the illumination that would from henceforth guide Matthew's later years. The YouTube channel Nerdwriter1 puts it quite beautifully (watch the video above) - witnessing a Caravaggio must have been shocking to anyone that has only known the flat light of the works of the renaissance. And that, is exactly what I want to point out today (and what I think is most important for all who want to shoot in the shadows) - to remind you to keep looking out for the light, even in your darkest hours. For all those who are struggling with their work when behind the camera, take pause to think about how maybe dynamic range and the ability to lift your shadows is not exactly all that useful in creating images that tell a moving story. Use the light to add visual hierarchy to whatever it is you're trying to shoot, and let everything else take its proper place - obscured away in irrelevance and in the shadows. Caravaggio is a prime example of this technique - it is precisely because of the dominance of the shadows that such a tiny stream of light is given such predominance, so much so that even those just vaguely familiar with the biblical tale will recognise instantly just what the story being told here is. And for those who are struggling with life's greater challenges - don't give up just yet, as when you're behind the camera, keep looking for the light. There's no doubt plenty of challenges out there: I'm sure inflation rates (even here) are wearing away at the ability of many to live comfortably. And the World Health Organisation has announced as recently as November of 2023 that loneliness is now a 'global public health concern' - not the sort of news that bodes well for a global society that's supposed to be emerging stronger post-pandemic. Can't find that zest for life? Perhaps you need a bit of company that shares the same passions as you do? If you're feeling alone, look for company - the photography community here is greater than you know - and there's plenty of other support groups out there I'm certain. Your greatest achievements are yet to be accomplished. If there's a calling, then keep working at it and let all else find its own place. Hell, you might even achieve international renown only after your last days are done. And for those for who things have truly become dark - remember, help is always at hand. Make that cup of coffee. Call 1-767. Don't let the light go out just yet.

I read from somewhere that Moderators need to clock post? Here's me playing my part to clock MCF posts. But please ah, only MCF mods are entitled to start a #IAMCOVIDPOSITIVE too thread. #19FebDay1

Hello, Just wanted to find out if anyone has tried this before: I will be landing at Terminal 3 and checking the CTC/QTC list at the MOH website, it seems that that is a Raffles Medical clinic at Terminal 3 that does the ART OAT. I was wondering if I could just cross over and do my ART OAT and then clear it, then go home... just want to cut the hassle of having to go to another place with my kids in tow to get the ART OAT done. CTC = Combined Test Centre QTC = Quick Test Centre OAT = On-Arrival Test ART = Antigen Rapid Test I found the clinic location here. I'm wondering if this clinic is accessible to the public and serves the public at all. I remember taking my wife for a consultation at a Raffles Medical Clinic some years back during one of our trips... not sure if it's the same one... Do let me know if I am barking up the wrong tree... thanks! https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/testcentres?result=819645&status=success

https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/In-Tokyo-public-toilets-are-works-of-art?utm_campaign=RN Subscriber newsletter&utm_medium=JP update newsletter&utm_source=NAR Newsletter&utm_content=article link&del_type=4&pub_date=20200910090000&seq_num=19&si=44594 In Tokyo, public toilets are works of art World-class architects design uniquely shaped and see-through park restrooms This public restroom in Tokyo's Jingudori Parkw was designed by world-class architect Tadao Ando. (Photo by Seiya Tsuji) Nikkei staff writersSeptember 10, 2020 06:22 JST TOKYO -- A project to transform public toilets in Tokyo's Shibuya district into art saw its latest addition this week, when one designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando opened in Jingudori Park. The prominent, umbrella-like eaves capping the structure inspired its name Amayadori, or "shelter from the rain." The latticework is designed to let wind and light pass through seamlessly. This is the seventh design completed in Shibuya under the Tokyo Toilet project run by the Nippon Foundation. Sixteen internationally renowned creators are participating in the initiative. The idea is that the beauty of the structure would encourage visitors to be clean when doing their thing. With an army of professional inspectors making frequent visits to ensure the best user experience, the planners hope to change the image of public restrooms as dark, dirty, smelly and scary. The first restroom, completed in August, came from another Pritzker-Prize winner -- Shigeru Ban. Located in Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, the yellow, red and purple stalls have a transparent facade when open. But once the door is locked from the inside, the walls become opaque to provide privacy. Visitors try out transparent public toilets that become opaque when occupied, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, at Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park in Tokyo. © Reuters "There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those located at a park," Ban explained on the project's website. "The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside. Using the latest technology, the exterior glass turns opaque when locked. This allows users to check the cleanliness and whether anyone is using the toilet from the outside." It has a bonus function. At night, the facility lights up the park like a lantern. "We want to provide public restrooms that are not only accessible to all people, but also a pleasant experience for anyone to use," said a project manager at the Nippon Foundation. The plan is to install 17 of the artistic public restrooms by summer 2021. The structures are being built by construction company Daiwa House with Toto providing the cutting-edge toilets. Maintenance will be a collaboration between the Nippon Foundation, the Shibuya government and the Shibuya City Tourism Association. "Wonderwall" is a toilet in Ebisu Park designed by architect Masamichi Katayama, whose works include the Uniqlo global flagship stores in New York, Paris and Ginza. The public toilet inside Ebisu Park by Masamichi Katayama is made from 15 slabs of concrete. (Photo courtesy of Nippon Foundation) Made from 15 slabs of concrete, it took inspiration from Neolithic times, when Japanese toilets were huts that stood over rivers. Users walk through the randomly combined slabs that lead to three different areas: toilets for men, women and everyone. New York-based designer Nao Tamura created a bright red toilet in Shibuya's Higashi Sanchome that was inspired by Origata, a traditional Japanese method of decorative wrapping. Comprised of three separately designed small cubicles, the toilet seeks to provide a safe and private space that envelopes all users. "Living in New York, I have been privileged to witness the LGBTQ+ community living in alignment with their sexual identities," she said on the website. "I envisioned a society that embraces the LGBTQ+ community and holds space for them to live their truth." Nao Tamura's decorative-wrapping inspired toilet in Shibuya's HIgashi sanchome. (Photo courtesy of the Nippon Foundation) In a separate project, the Tokyo metropolitan government and Tokyo University of the Arts opened a so-called art toilet in Ueno Park on Monday. The walls are decorated with pandas, elephants and other animals in a homage to the nearby zoo. The city recruited Tokyo University of the Arts in spring of last year to remodel a public restroom in the park in a way that reflects the cultured surroundings, which includes the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. About 40 university students took part in the remodeling project. "I hope the restroom becomes another museum," said one graduate student. The capital's Toshima Ward launched the "Toshima Public Toilet Project" in fiscal 2017 to add brightly colored artwork to restrooms in parks and playgrounds. Tokyo redesigned this public restroom in Ueno Park to reflect the museums in the area. (Photo by Seiya Tsuji) The ongoing project has reached 24 locations so far, and the organizers also created a map so visitors can check out each work of art. Toshima aims to have the restrooms play a role in local tourism. Japan has always been famous for its quirky innovative toilets, such as warm-water-squirting bidets, toilets with no tanks and Toto's Tornado Flush, which creates a powerful circulating whirlpool of water that cleans every part of the bowl. But the coronavirus pandemic has given rise to new demand outside of its home market. Lixil saw sales of its shower toilets grow 60% year-on-year in the April-May period. A lack of toilet paper at stores, as customers hoarded rolls, gave American consumers an opportunity to try the electric bidets. Many got hooked. That trend was helped by news out of China that the coronavirus could spread through the air when toilets are flushed. Japanese toilets with lids that lift automatically when approached and that flush when users stand up are seen as a fit for this age.

Esplanade to take down Vincent Leow artwork after kerfuffle Singapore — The Esplanade will be removing a sketch showing the back of a naked man on top of a chicken from its exhibition walls, after the artwork sparked an online furore. In a statement by Esplanade’s chief executive officer-designate Yvonne Tham on Wednesday (June 6), the performing arts centre said it came to this decision following a discussion with Mr Vincent Leow, the artist featured in the exhibition BLANK at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. "We have agreed to not continue displaying the drawing, given that the public space at Esplanade’s Community Wall does not allow opportunity for an advisory and is visited by a wide range of visitors, including families,” she said. “We appreciate Vincent’s understanding of the situation, which arose solely from Esplanade’s error of judgement in exercising our responsibility to both artist and audience for presenting work in the appropriate space and context,” Ms Tham added. The 1989 artwork is part of a April 13 to July 8 exhibition curated by the Esplanade showcasing Mr Leow’s sketchbooks and loose drawings from his 30-year career as an artist. Facebook Group Singaporeans Defending Marriage and Family accused the Esplanade in a Tuesday post of “promoting bestiality” by featuring the work in a public space. The group noted that the exhibition, which spans the school holidays, is located near a children’s art space and play area. Several parents and passersby interviewed by TODAY on Tuesday also expressed concern. A 69-year-old retiree, who gave her name only as Madam Chan had said: “We don’t want to see our children being exposed to this. Their values will be shaken. They will find that there is a new norm appealing to people.” On Tuesday, Ms Tham admitted that it was an “error of judgement”, while stopping short of apologising. She said the Esplanade needed to discuss with Mr Leow before taking any further action. “This exhibition has no intent to advocate for any position… The sole intent of the exhibition is to be able to present the very different things that may go behind the minds of an artist,” she had said.

Honest mistake, i also thought just by adding 'specimen' is good enough

[extract] Most of us think lottery tickets are only good as long as the ticket bought by us wins a prize. Well, I suggest you think again. It turns out that used lottery tickets aren

The Volvo XC60 is one good alternative to take into consideration when it comes to buying an SUV. It's an exclusive crossover SUV that comes with city safety measures to guarantee your family's safety. However, it seems that the Volvo XC60 is not all about commuting. You can see that if you go to Zurich, Switzerland central station where the Swedish automaker has set up its art display. The locals recognise the art display as the Volvo Art Session and it has been around for the past few years. Here, Volvo has chosen highly talented artists, some of whom are skilled veterans while some others are newcomers, to present creative exhibits including a Volvo as the central point of the art. In this year alone, the Swedish automaker has chosen no less than six artists from across the European continent. This year, their task is to transform the Volvo XC60 into a creative work of art. It's unfortunate, though, I have to say, as the work of art won't last for long. This happens because the work of one artist will have to be erased so that the next artist can present his work and so on and so forth. Trying to be creative at one of the busiest places in Europe, some of the artists can't help but to make the Volvo XC60 a focal point in their creative art presentations. However, some others seem to be more creative - at least so I think - by making the car almost completely unnoticeable.

Just a few days ago, I stumbled on a Facebook page that would interest many car enthusiasts. Known as Hive, the pictures you see here are actually car posters. There are designed by a New Zealander guy who goes by the name of Joel Fletcher. Joel Fletcher (who I strongly believe is a graphic designer) uses his designing knowledge to create these rather incredible looking automotive posters. There is even a video on the page which shows how he makes them and he has mentioned that he uses the Adobe InDesign software. Some of his creations are grouped in one poster, for example the Porsche 911 history poster, and he also has designed several posters of historical race cars. My favourite is a poster of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ which can be hung in both ways so that one car will appear like a mirror image. Fletcher

[extract] Most people think of tyres as round, black things you fit to your car. But to four British artists chosen in partnership by Cooper Tire Europe, and the UK

[extract] Rust is something we usually see on old or poorly maintained cars. It is the corrosion of iron and its alloy and usually associated with junk metal. When someone sees a rusted item, in their mind, it is not worth saving or keeping and that item would normally be discarded. Car owners do not want to see rust on their car

[extract] One day I was reading an American travel website and I saw one of the most famous car art sculptures in the world. The art sculpture is known as the Cadillac Ranch. I have already knew about this particular art sculpture in the past as I have seen pictures of it in a magazine a few years ago but I do not know much details about it and I wish to share with everyone here. As I was searching the internet about the Cadillac Ranch, I came across two more car art installations that I find rather interesting and unique. One is the Carhenge and the other is the Spindle. Let

[extract] The splendid work of art you see here is based on a Mercedes Bens 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coup

A few years ago, Brooklyn artist Jonathan Brand sold a 1969 Ford Mustang that he rebuilt with his father to pay for an engagement ring. In his latest work, entitled "One Piece at a Time," he has reconstructed that Mustang, piece by piece, at 1:1 scale, using nothing but paper. Brand mentioned that the American automobile has played a large part in his personal life and his art. His grandfather worked as a millwright at a Detroit car assembly line. His uncles and cousins are mechanics. And he, together with his father, has restored 3 vintage cars. One of those cars, a 1969 Mustang, took him five years to rebuild and has been the inspiration for several of his bodies of work. Below is a photo of the Mustang that he used as a basis for his art work. Brand uses digital drawings as his source and printing the blueprints with a large-format inkjet printer. He would then meticulously cut out and folded the components to create spark plugs, nuts and bolts, a radiator, and even the individual tires

My recent article about driving through tunnels has got me thinking. I noticed that the entrance to the SMART tunnel in Kuala Lumpur has some murals on both sides of the entrance and if you look at it properly you would feel that even some colour is better than dull and drab grey concrete. I think that it is time that the LTA make Singapore's tunnels slightly brighter and more colourful than the standard grey. In fact, this idea is not limited only to Singapore but to every nation as well. Imagine if you were stuck in a tunnel during a traffic jam and you looked up and saw the above picture. You would be stunned, amazed and you'd feel happy to be stuck in a tunnel just to admire the frescoes on the tunnel walls. Okay, the Sistine Chapel fresco by Michelangelo as pictured above may be a little extreme as firstly, he's dead and won't be able to complete any official request to paint or sculpt anything; and secondly I think it would cost the LTA a bomb if they decided to hire a few professional artists to spruce up the tunnel walls. This cost is one cost that people won't be happy with as it usually involves taxpayer's money. Of course there would still be a way to make our lives a little bit cheerful if the underpasses and short tunnels be filled with colour. I'll give you an example. Here is a mural or graffiti painted by some unknown people in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur. Frankly it looks amazing. Compare the wall with the painting with the unpainted wall (photo below) beside it. The grey wall looks pretty dull. The mural isn't a legitimate one but it has been there for a while and makes the place more cheerful looking. Not that I condone graffiti and I am not suggesting delinquents start spray painting walls and tunnels without control or supervision. But imagine a government sanctioned project that allows groups of teenagers to express their talents by legally painting tunnels. Or if the risk is too great as these people may make it an excuse to spray paint every other thing, a great suggestion would be that the authorities cover the walls with sheets of printed art work of local artists so that their work may be appreciated by motorists. This would certainly brighten up underpasses and tunnels but still keep things legal.