Survey Version 1.5

Why do we always end up

eagerly running for the train

that's the most crowded of all?

I'm not sure, maybe

we're truly camera-shy.

Surely it's not that hard

to wait for awhile

and get caught on video

[Part of a much larger body of ongoing work, this short series was shown in print from June 2008 to July 2008 at the Singapore-based annual Month of Photography. All words and images here are my own original work - for once!]

Wang Yun Peng

A flyer for Wang's Halation Politics caught my eye when I opened my inbox this morning. The subject matter and concept of his series runs close to my own photographic interests at the moment (media, commodification, repetition and context). But Wang's treatment is so painterly, with tones so similar to Michael Roulier's night/twilight photos, that...wait a minute...oh shit, they are paintings! Whoa. (Click on the picture above if you don't believe me).

Memphis West Reloaded

Check out some of Wesley's new pictures. A large number of them have gone into a book published by Singapore's Ministry of Education (one review here). But there's probably much more to it than that.

Some hints lie in the organisation of the online portfolio. The first series serves up some pretty straightforward but really well done reportage-type photography.

The second series is more interesting for me. There is definitely something deliciously awkward in some of the portraits that hints at a deeper search for something beyond the usual comfort zones, without being sensationalistic or attention-seeking. One doesn't need to know the context behind these pictures to be drawn to them (although it might help to a certain degree). But that this is coming from directly from all-too-often glossy plastic shiny happy sunny Singapore is an added bonus.

only a matter of time

UK: Police defend anti-terror photo campaign

Haha this is funny!

Mine is no disgrace has some new updates.

two upcoming local shows

1.

30th February by Chow Chee Yong

Photographic Exhibition:
19 February – 15 March 2008

Opening Reception/Book Launch:
Friday 29 February 2008, 7:30pm

Venue: Kay Ngee Architects Gallery

More details here.

2. Peek

Exhibition cum official opening of 2902 Photo Gallery.

Featuring works by
Chris YAP Wooi Hoe
Ken SEET
CHOW Chee Yong
WEE Kheng-Li
Deanna NG
Gwen LEE Gim Lay
CHAN Bin Kan
Ming
Amand POH
KHOO Hanzhi
TAN Peiling
Saraphina CHING
Sarah CHENG
CH'NG Yaohong.

Official opening at 6.30pm, 28 February. Exhibition lasts til 9 March.

Venue: Old School, Mount Sophia.

More details available from 2902gallery@gmail.com

or call Gwen Lee at +65 91845438

strange days

Photo by Chip East/Reuters: 62 Mafia Leaders Indicted in New York.

What a weird photo...and story.

a couple of photogs whose work i like

Ye Rin Mok

Eliot Shepard