Cycle of Thought

This was a piece of experimental animation I did few years ago for a local film competition: The Malaysian Video Awards (MVA).  I think it was around 2005 or thereabouts.  This was my first attempt at animation and using software such as Flash and Final Cut Pro.  The process was long, as I actually created each 'box' with Adobe Illustrator.  I know that it wasn't the most efficient way of doing things, especially by today's standards, but the process was necessary (at least to me at that time) to consider how and where each 'box' would go.  The deliberation that I went through might not be obvious when you view it, especially when things are sped up, but I must admit that I attained a lot of satisfaction in the process, if not slightly indulgent.


Anyway, the genesis of this work is actually from a painting, or more appropriately an artwork I did for another competition: The Philip Morris Asean Art Awards.  There has been some controversy regarding the tobacco conglomerate and their sponsorship of this competition, which I won't really get into here but if you wish, you can read about it here: http://www.takingontobacco.org/event/asean04/partI.html


In my defense, I was oblivious to the controversy and issues at that time, and saw it as platform to get work done and exhibited.  The mix media work of mine became the basis for my animation, and I hope one day I can take this idea to another medium, perhaps an installation.  I've included below the write up I did for the animation, which hopefully explains a bit of what it is about:

"The human thought shifts from one form to another. Our thoughts are ephemeral. The realisation of where and when a thought starts and ends scarcely ever crosses our minds. The mind is in constant flux. This ‘cycling’ of ideas, thoughts, memories and emotions make the human mind a complex creation of nature. The complexity of the mind is further complicated by its susceptibility to external and internal stimuli. This ‘feature’ enables thoughts to shift and change, to evolve, to be manipulated and eventually, lead to formations of ‘new’ thoughts and ideas. The ability to deform and reform the shape and pattern of our thoughts has made the mind the most durable, and rightly, the most complex structure nature can offer.

"This animation attempts to reflect and represent this ‘observation’ and strives to simplify this complexity, but not to trivialise it. The abstract human mind is ironically personified by a very tangible and pure geometrical shape: the square. The irony of representing formlessness with strict geometrical rigidity; of imbalanced consciousness with balanced symmetry; of human irrationality with calculated formality, is intentional to make sense from the nonsensical.

"This work does not presume to be able to justify how the mind works, or even seek to understand it, but merely to represent the complexity of the ‘processes behind the working mind’, and how often we take this ‘process’ for granted."

In a nutshell, I have always been fascinated by how the mind works. How we construct thoughts, or how thoughts are born and shaped. And I thought it would be fun to try and express this through firstly, an artwork and then through animation (by which is a more appropriate medium to communicate my intentions). The point is to show how quickly our thoughts, or line of thinking, can change just by simple suggestions or stimuli. If you have ever tried tracing your thoughts to the source, you'll understand what I mean. Again, I'm not suggesting this is how every mind works, but it is certainly representational of MY thought process.

And lastly, sorry if the video size is a bit big. That's the only copy I have and I couldn't really be bothered to convert it into a smaller file/format. And thanks to a certain student of mine who was interested enough about this to bring it up. So this post is for her and hope it has provided a little more illumination.

Thinking and Acting

This post is more of response or explanation to my decision to use Rodin's The Thinker as the image for my blog.  I realise even before using it, however appropriate it may be, might seem a bit pretentious.  And my usage for it is more for my self-actualisation and a call to action.

Rodin's The Thinker is a seminal piece of art, one that truly reflect his ability as a Naturalist sculptor.  His ability to capture human emotion, intellect and psychological strife that all humans go through, is second to none.  Every minute gesture, twinge of flesh suggest an internal struggle within the character.

But as big a fan of Rodin's work as I am, the main reason for choosing this sculpture for this blog (although I will probably change it soon) is to represent how much time one spends thinking and contemplating; and not enough time acting.  As mentioned in my previous post, action is what is required in this day and age.  I also stand accuse of thinking too much and not acting, which creates a state of ennui and is counter-productive, so this sculpture is to remind me of the need to put action to words.  The saying of 'Practice what you Preach' is ever more true now.  And more so for designers and design students.  Do not miss the opportunity to act when it comes around, for opportunity knocks but once.

Introductions are in order

This is officially my first posting on my new blog and I feel it warrants some explanations on, firstly, the name of the blog, and secondly, this blog's intentions.

I shall start with the latter as I feel that talking about the genesis of this blog is apt and a lot easier, and in some weird way, acts a segue to explaining the rather odd title.  This blog came about from the fruits of a discussion I had with some of my final year students.  We were talking about how important it is for designers to have ideals, beliefs and a stand.  I felt that what is happening (which is not very promising) in the design world, and specifically here in this country today is due to the lack of the aforementioned principles and characteristics.  Too many times designers are asked and compelled to sacrifice their principles, or are even encouraged to not have any at all.  As the discussion wore on, a point was raised regarding how difficult it is to have a stand and to make it known.  It was then surmised that utilising the powers of technology today would be the way forward, and blogs are one such example of that.  So it was decided that my students should have a blog of their own; primarily to let the online community and peers know of their beliefs and principles as a designer, and a way to promote and advertise their work and ability.  And I could not consider myself a true educator if I did not lead by example.  So this blog of mine is a result of that discussion; and I would also like to dedicate this to them.

Now this blog is not exclusively for them, nor will its contents be only about art, design and architecture (which by now you should be able to conclude that that is my background).  There will be posts and articles on film, football, social commentaries, the natural world etc.  All this sounds ambitious but I’m just shouting out things right atop my head. 

The wonder of the virtual world ensures accessibility and that is the main reason for doing this.  I will be accountable for all that is written and shown here, and some of the things that you will read in the future will undoubtedly show my bias points of view, proclivities and inclinations.  I will never expect anyone to agree totally or subscribe to my world views but I do implore those who read and give comments to have and show civility and maturity.  I feel that open and intelligent debate is lacking and I am trying to do my part in encouraging its growth.

And lastly, the title: Musings & Exhortations, which are actually rather (admittedly) pretentious words and synonyms for thinking and doing, but I needed something to get people’s attention.  I am often accuse of over-thinking things and not doing enough, something I agree with; which is another reason for creating this blog.  All the contemplations on things and issues mentioned just now are often expressed, in a limited format, through discussions with friends and colleagues; and it is my hope that these contemplations will lead to action.  Which brings me to the second part of the title: any educator will agree with me a big part of our job is to get our students to DO.  We encourage, advise, appeal; and this is what I am hoping this blog will achieve to a larger audience as well.