We chose a commercial photography, an ad featuring, Absolut Singapore. It could be interpreted in various perspectives, as we all define our home differently but how do we attach ourselves to our home, Singapore? Its flag? Its government? Its people? or Just people whom we care and love, stay together with us. =) 

 

 

 

For the analysis which Celeste and i did, pls click nm3223-photo-analysis.ppt

 ps: slide on monks robe is a research to substantiate the interpretation of red cloth. a slide not shown in class, but relatively important.

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Slideshow: Several picks which apply similar style of sublimal advertising in the form of symbolic representation of Absolut. http://absolutad.com/

Sidenote, QUOTED FROM THE SITE. “ABSOLUT SYDNEY is on page 3 of the 12/99 issue of (not only) blue, an Australian gay lifestyle magazine. This Andy Glass photo features a surfer sitting on a beach, in Sydney, Australia, the site of the 2000 Summer Olympics; he’s at the water’s edge, with his surfboard. Footprints, leading up to the surfer, form the left side of a subtle Absolut shape; the water’s edge forms the right. The beach in this 1999 ad may be Bondi Beach, Australia’s most famous, or nearby Bronte Beach, popular with surfers. “

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I guess in a way or another,  it really depends on how well we understand the culture/ traditions/ symbolic events…of one’s country, so as to appreciate the ad message. Similary, when we showed the class our ad, we have several interesting comments on how it appeals or not, and what is it trying to ’sell’ to us. Well, i guess we are all right. We have our own belief and values in the Home-Singapore,where we live in. Is it really nothingness, and an ABSOLUTely law by law nation or is it a fuse of various cultures/races that we do not discriminate anyone in particular, such that a clean n clear surface of the bottle represent a whole form of unity and acceptance of our multi-racial ethnicity? i think i could relate to either one.=)

 

~Peer Review~

Empty-looking glass bottle: Implies that Singapore is an empty vessel?

Red cloth wiping glass bottle: Using Singapore Flag to clean an Absolut Vodka Bottle?

~Review for Peers~

I find the works of Jialin&Karen interesting. The former shows a congruent interpretation with various supporting ads which use similar appeal but differing perspective with humor. This makes it clear and flows well. =) 10/10. Also, i found myself thinking over Stephanie&Fala works, which portray a certain top-down angle, a style which is pretty consistent for social documentary pictures. Somehow, the way the photo is taken, it conveys a negative connotation that they are being look down by others..hence the top-down view.  Their work is also being supported well by other sources. 9.7/10. Works by Mike&Zhenqin also set me into thinking of how the roles and influence of gender these days are blurry and one party is dependent on the other party, regardless of gender. Say, a guy’s hand wrapped around the girl, may show that he wants to protect her and keep her by his side. But, as the girl’s hand got underneath the shirt..and close to the bottom..it shows that she too wants to protect him and keep him by her side, for she has the ‘exclusive right’ to reach beneath and he wont feel offended.  Many perspectives to the ad, but a little lack of supporting sources for interpretation of the perspective. 9.5/10.

                                                ~Self Assessment~

In relation to both Jialin&Karen and Stephanie&Fala work, i would give myself 9.9 for effort,9.9 for creativity/concept. total 9.9/10. Jialin&karen did good job in portraying how a picture can be interpreted by humor in different context and Stephanie&Fala shows how one takes a photo may also alter the interpretation. Hence this score is given for we have supported our interpretations with varying sources of pictures as well as relating back to singapore culture. We also showed clearly how the target audience’s and photographer’s views collide..In fact, it is inevitable to ignore the fact that singapore is a fusion of race, religion etc hence, to pin point something truly singapore is a trick.

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                                                                                                                                     Just for Laugh:

Video: Hossan Leong. Song Reflecting on What is truly SG? Nothing?

So, do we have a strong national identity?

“Its not perfect living, but at least its interesting! ”

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Just for Laugh:

Video: Dick Lee. Song on We are Singapore!

So, are we really too obedient or do we just comply since it is how it has been working..why not not law by law?

~Anythingforyoursmileagain.~ 

Ive Smiled.

=)