NLB: NOISE - Bearfruit Documentary Photography Showcase

The last time we heard about NOISE - Bearfruit, they were holding an illustrative exhibit at the National Library, one which we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Naturally we were excited to hear they were holding yet another exhibit at the same location, this time for photography, and made a note to visit it once we were back in Singapore.

NOISE - Bearfruit Documentary Photography Showcase
30 April - 26 June 

National Library Building, Level 7

"(The results of) a four-part workshop organized by documentary photographer Jean Loo in October and November 2010, the exhibition displays the final projects of the 14 workshop participants, each work dealing with topics close to the hearts and minds of their creators, ranging from folklore Taoism to environmental conservation at Singapore's only landfill."

The exhibition looked a lot smaller than the previous illustrative showcase, but I guess that was just due to the layout of the exhibition space. It didn't take too long to go through the entire showcase. Each "wall" had three to six photos on it, and most of the photos were accompanied by the photographer's name and a little caption detailing the respective photos.

One of the photos which caught my attention: "The Japanese Top View Ranchu are commonly displayed in white basins for viewers to admire their beauty and grace." - Photo by Titus Ong

...I hate to say it, but I honestly wasn't very impressed by this exhibit. Maybe I just had higher expectations for exhibitions from NOISE - Bearfruit after their previous illustration showcase, but nothing in the Documentary Photography showcase held my interest for long; many of the shots looked amateurishly-taken and more than anything else looked like pictures you would see pinned to a notice board outside a primary school's art club. The captions for some of the photos, while obviously meant to be insightful, deep and meaningful, merely revealed the opposite. For an exhibit that was meant to showcase "rich narratives through photographic images and words", I wasn't feeling it - most of the photographs were pictures taken at home, of family or relatives, or of mundane aspects of day-to-day life. 

Except maybe these couple of photos, taken by Jamie Chan of the Indian Thaipusam. Body piercing and walking on fire aren't really mudane stuff.

Maybe I'm talking too much since I'm no expert in photography (heck, I just shoot whatever hits my fancy), but I was definitely expecting something more creative or more heartfelt than what I saw. I left the exhibit feeling really disappointed, and by the looks of it Michi wasn't leaving feeling too thrilled either. 

...on a brighter and less critical note, Bearfruit is organizing a couple of workshops that will take place in the National Library! The upcoming ones will be a Pastel Art Workshop organized by Ms Janice Chin (in English) and Mr Siew Hock Meng (in Mandarin), and a Miniatures Creation Workshop organized by Ms Cindy Teh. Make sure to sign up in advance at the NLB website if you're interested because spaces are limited and going fast!  

NLB: NOISE - Bearfruit Illustration Showcase

I was pleasantly surprised to come across NOISE - Bearfruit Illustration Showcase when we stopped by the National Library this weekend. Featuring works of creativity from over 20 local talents, the exhibition runs until 27 March Sunday and is worth stopping by to admire.

I've picked out a couple of my favorites from the showcase to share with you. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words, so I'll let these images speak for themselves.

Chase Your Dreams! by Albert Hardy Tanulama
"What if there's a new competition for the new Chinese Zodiac?"

The Forgotten Tea Party by Paula Pang
(Probably one of my favorites out of the entire exhibition!)

Untitled by Hazel Tan
Medium: Table and Plate

Awakening (close up) by Ang Wei Tyng

Top: Cupcakes by Ame
Bottom: Rabbits by... I forgot to take the artist's name for this, sorry

(...yup, that's a toilet seat cover. The seat itself was decorated, too. I want this for my bathroom.)

(I want this rubbish bin, too. Done by the same artist as above!)

Steampunk Tapestry by Huiying and Ashley
(Really love the detail on this one, and the washed look too. Yeah, my biasedness towards steampunk is showing.)

A view of the right wall of the exhibition, which is completely covered with doodles of all kinds.

(And last but not least, one of the artworks from mentor Mas of Wanton Doodle. The Illustration Showcase was formed out of a partnership between Noise Singapore and Bear Fruit Academy.)

Once again, this event runs until 9pm on the 27th of March 2011, Sunday. Art lovers can find this exhibition on the 7th floor (Promenade) of the National Library Building, at 100 Victoria Street (within walking distance of the Bugis MRT station). Admission is free and no registration is required. For further information, visit Noise Singapore or Bear Fruit Academy!