zi xin wong

Changes

2010-03-19T15:16:00.005+11:00

I'll be writing HERE exclusively from now on. Here here here here here. More little sketches and more proper writing. HEREEEEEEEEE.

I am also involved in a collaborative project with Amelia - check it out: from a to zi. Meels will be writing all things Melbourne with plenty of beautiful photographs to satisfy your visual apetite. I will be attempting the same, but from Malaysia. Get excited!

Bye.

things I like

2010-03-17T23:54:00.002+11:00

And some green olive toscano from Philippa's.

Posted via email from zi xin wong

Nonsense

2010-03-16T21:58:00.004+11:00

Running errands and washing sheets on typography Tuesday. Maybe next week. I am also trying to get used to using my new camera, which is a Canon PowerShot G11. It's a powerful little thing that offers amazing user-friendly control/knobs. So, so easy to change settings etc., which played a huge part in my decision to purchase that particular model. It seems like it's built like a tank, and it is to some degree ... but it does feel plasticky and hollow in some places.

PS: I'll be posting a lot less in this blog and more at my posterous page.

Late night fun with felt

2010-03-11T14:23:00.002+11:00

Just some fun to pass the time and make things, really. Yes I am rubbish at sewing.

I think one of the biggest reasons why we love art, architecture and music is because essentially, we invent things. We create (beautiful) things out of nothing. I would say the same with engineering ... but I won't.

Typography Tuesday

2010-03-08T17:29:00.009+11:00

First of (hopefully) many to come typography Tuesdays - today we are in the Melbourne CBD and good old Fitzroy. This little adventure has made me much more aware and observant of the fascinating world of street typography! Barrels of fun, too. (I've also posted this at my posterous too, it's awfully good for uploading and viewing a batch of photos in one post.)

Please click on any images to enlarge.

Virtual relocation

2010-03-08T02:50:00.003+11:00

I think this blog will be relocating to posterous. I very much prefer the layout and general aesthetic of the it - and the fact that I can email a post/photos/audio and they automatically appear (and arrange themselves) on the site. It will take a bit of getting used to ... will be looking into that in the next few weeks.

I'll still be posting here in the meantime.

Midst of moving and a new project

2010-03-06T18:24:00.004+11:00

From A to Zi - a new, collaborative, bi-national blog/project. Coming soon.

I am in the midst of moving from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur, so updates will be sparse and seem half-arsed. Bear with me! Not that I owe anyone any kind of explanation ... but it felt like something that had to be said. Ciao.

"a realism that is vulgar, a reality that is void"

2010-03-02T23:25:00.005+11:00

Dorian has just received news of Sibyl Vane's death.

Oh, what a beautiful book! I never had a clue the extraordinary life of Oscar Wilde. It isn't by any means a simple, relaxing read, but such a wonderfully written book nonetheless ... "I don't want my soul to be hideous".

Thank goodness for $10 Penguin books.

Image from bookarmy.com

Hello, Baby

2010-02-28T23:54:00.005+11:00

Came across a picture of Jane Carrey's newborn whilst reading the 'news' this morning. Babies are such beautiful things, aren't they. So I started drawing. First in pen, very simple line drawing as I usually do. The baby on paper then suggested (in the form of a thought bubble) we should all reset our moral compasses. That drawing remains in my sketchbook.

Then the pencil, just a quick 10min drawing:

I wonder why we were taught, since a child, to draw and represent things using lines. The objects we see, we experience through colour and shades ... not lines.

Several photographs

2010-02-28T20:41:00.004+11:00

Just some photographs from my recent trip back to Malaysia. Even though it doesn't feel like it, it is home by default - I spent the first 12 years of my life there, and my family is there. I remember a teacher in high school in Singapore saying we should embrace being 'third culture kids', and I certainly see the merits of being one (although, I dislike the labelling) ... but it has its disadvantages. I won't start, though.

This post has turned out to be a little personal (unintentionally), so here are the photos:

Plastic firecrackers, and a paper lantern

A miniature incense burner

A peculiar little letterbox

Chinese chives

The next post will be less fluffy.*

*This I cannot promise.

Revisiting Ricky Swallow

2010-02-24T21:37:00.008+11:00

I spent this afternoon revisiting Ricky Swallow's The Bricoleur at NGV Australia. Everytime I go back, some pieces just get more and more beautiful. Each time different pieces speak more to me than others. I suppose a large part of that is because his body of work is very personal, but universally relatable.

Like many others, I also enjoy the special little nook where books and the exhibition catalogue have been laid out, and you can read whilst listening to a selection of music that Ricky Swallow personally picked out. The musicians are ones featured in his watercolour, One Nation Underground (2007). The watercolours are quite special (one of my top picks is definitely Tim Buckley) ... an definitely made me want to pick up the brushes and start working with some watercolour.

Today, particular attention was given to:

Killing Time (2003-2004)
endless amazing details to discover, endless fascination ...

Caravan (2008)

Flying on the ground is wrong (2006)
incredibly delicate

The man from Enchinitas (2009)
oh the story behind this is miraculous, the translation from narrative to artwork through process and medium, is absolutely beautiful

All Images from Swallow's website.

PechaKucha Melbourne

2010-02-23T19:07:00.019+11:00

So what is PechaKucha? Its website sums it up pretty well:

"PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace."

Basically, young designers - 20 images on Powerpoint - 20 seconds to talk about each. It is a spectacular worldwide event, in 281 (and counting) cities like St. Louis, Guangzhou, Barcelona, Bordeaux, St Petersburg etc. PechaKucha night this time around was also to raise funds for Haiti. Fantastic.

The event in Melbourne was held in 1000£ Bend on Lt Lonsdale. I've read about the newly opened cafe/bar but never actually stepped in. Such a relaxed atmosphere ... basically a spacious warehouse (painted white, timber trusses!) filled with old couches that eats you up. In other words, it sums up what is trendy in Melbourne is - derelict-chic. Perfect venue for such an event, with images projected onto the beautifully-worn, painted brickwork.

Front bit of 1000£ Bend (the warehouse is further back)

PechaKucha is a fabulous idea ... and I think we should all do something similar. Get a few of your friends together and just present and share - talk about current ideas, trends, designs, favourite buildings, illustrators ... the possibility is endless. Some vino and birra in hand, of course. A semi-formal evening to get our creative juices flowing, and most importantly (I reckon), put competitiveness behind and just share.

LTRHDS opening is on this Friday, 26th February. Interesting concept, and I can't wait to see what the artists have come up with.

Chinese New Year

2010-02-16T13:41:00.002+11:00

KeepCup, PeekCup

2010-02-14T02:48:00.005+11:00

What you do when your flight is delayed and have four hours to kill at the airport. It has been quite frustrating drawing-wise ... not achieving anything substantial. I am still sketching, though. It is all a bit of fun really, so I suppose I shouldn't be frustrated. Anyway, will have some free time tomorrow, so, time to draw!

(I am currently away and using a different scanner ... and the scan came out a bit funny, explaining the inconsistency in tone/shading.)

Gracie Fields

2010-02-11T10:44:00.000+11:00

the smug mugs

2010-02-07T20:34:00.003+11:00

(Click to enlarge)

Quick, fun one. I'm sure a lot of people know this already, but I very much enjoy nerdy wordplays ... puns, alliterations, and the like. So ... here we have, the smug mugs. (Breakfast with Socrates contains a sizeable collection of clever wordplay, yet another reason to love it.)

Endless discoveries

2010-02-07T18:48:00.003+11:00

(I've just spent an hour or so trying to arrange the photos in a pleasing manner, but I'm not sure if it is working for me. Seems a bit cluttered and proportionally wrong?)

I forgot how much fun it is to walk around with a camera in hand ... endless discoveries.

- plastic bags are not toys ... a bucket struggling with a plastic bag over its head (disgusting and immoral of me to take a photo!)
- two pipes begging and screaming to be connected
- sss

- Small quest to locate Ghostpatrol and Miso work around Melbourne

- On Liverpool St

- Lovingly, delicately and beautifully handcut

Presgrave Pl

Ah, how wonderful Melbourne is ...

Breakfast with Socrates

2010-02-07T15:39:00.003+11:00

Nothing like a Sunday afternoon spent with a coffee, some bikkies and a cool book. I picked up Breakfast with Socrates in December, started reading it and stopped reading as I entered a wonderfully serious affair with Alan Bennett's wonderful play and autobiography. I've always wanted to know more about philosophy, having studied and learned bits and pieces of Derrida, Foucault and back in high school History Extension (history nerd alert!). To be perfectly honest, philosophy is intimidating and their texts not always easily understood. Breakfast with Socrates is an easy introduction and sort of ... philosophy injected into and analysed in everyday mundane tasks. I can already hear philosophy students and the like cringing (you snobs!) ... but this book is very much accessible to the general public who wishes to know a little bit more.

Conservatory

2010-02-04T17:22:00.003+11:00

This is a renovation of a workshop and its garden by Ecuadorian architect firm Daniel Moreno -to clean up and create a light-filled space for the organisation and storage of materials. I absolutely love the use such humble yet visually powerful materials - steel reinforcement bars, timber logs and its manipulation of the notion of surface. My future conservatory?

Note the ladder, beautiful!

(All images from Archdaily.com)

Some books on my to-read list

2010-01-29T16:54:00.010+11:00

I may have gone a tad carried away with this post ... I blame regular trips to Borders, Readings and Metropolis. There are a few more, but these are enough for now. They're all fantastic books to have on hand - to read, and for reference and inspiration. Now to find the funds to get my hands on these babies.

^^^Jess, you'll find this rather interesting I reckon.

All images from Amazon.co.uk, except for The Melbourne Design Guide, which is from Magnation.

uh-oh

2010-01-29T00:01:00.006+11:00

(click to enlarge)

The colour scheme has a sort of story-telling quality to it, I reckon. But something is not quite right with the colour ... might re-colour it actually*.

I decided to do flight (with balloons) again after coming across a print at NGV International today - one of a dead squirrel in a series named White Mammals by Kiki Smith. I quite like the overlapping balloons.

*OK I tried .. but was not very successful. Result below. Much prefer the first one.

Ron Mueck at NGV

2010-01-28T08:59:00.003+11:00

Go see it. I'm not sure how much of Mueck's work is conceptual, but it is a great exhibition. To a degree, his work do explore the human condition ... and they are meticulously detailed and beautiful objects to look at.

Well curated, great space, I thought - all the pieces seem to be having conversations and talking to each other. It certainly is a very 'accessible' form of art, I suppose, family-friendly too, due to the shock/wow factor. This is probably why photography (without flash, of course) is allowed in the exhibition. I remember my mother, who isn't really interested in the art world, forwarding me an email with pictures of his work due to how 'cool' they were. And they certainly are cool.

Fun products

2010-01-26T10:48:00.004+11:00

Sometimes we need a bit of fun, even in the most mundane of things.

Tea infuser by Israeli design studio, Ototo

Wrong Hat

2010-01-26T00:18:00.001+11:00

(click to enlarge)

Bang bang you're dead!

Push Your Ideas

2010-01-25T18:24:00.003+11:00

A short, cool inspirational video!

The yo-yo times

2010-01-25T00:38:00.002+11:00

(click to enlarge)

Remember when yo-yo was cool? I was actually quite good at it, when I was ten or so (ha ha ha) - advancing into pro-yo, doing tricks like round the world and walk the dog. So much fun!

Overwhelmed by spirals, the cat left

2010-01-24T02:07:00.005+11:00

(click to enlarge)

If you happen to get your hands on my high school notebooks/diaries, you'll notice that I was (and still is) rubbish at doodling. You'll find miserable attempts at making 'pretty' doodles.

However, what you'll also find are spirals. I love drawing spirals - making a mark on the page with repetition and some pretty intense concentration! Also a way to get through some of the less stimulating classes.

Anyway, an unplanned, spontaneous piece for tonight. I can't believe I've just spent three hours on it. Goodnight.

Clipping of 1988 Australian Open

2010-01-22T20:52:00.001+11:00

(click to enlarge)

Goodbye saturation.

Australian Open special

2010-01-22T20:30:00.003+11:00

(click to enlarge)

Not sure if I am entirely happy with this one ... but thought I'd put it up anyway. This is for my dear cousin Zachary.

Vietato L'ingresso

2010-01-20T01:31:00.006+11:00

(click to enlarge)

A quick and fun one I did tonight, in reference to these signs we frequently encountered whilst in Rome (below is a picture of me):

Holl's Watercolours

2010-01-19T02:38:00.005+11:00

Inspiring - some of Steven Holl's watercolour. Holl is one of my design heroes, creating such honest, humble and evocative architecture and exploiting his immense knowledge of the qualities of light and their behaviours. All images from metropolismag.com.

Float to New York, hallo from above

2010-01-19T01:51:00.006+11:00

(click to enlarge)

I used bright and bold colours (bright yellow, purple, red) on the first attempt, which didn't suit the subject all that well. I'm happy with the pastels and she seems complacent.

Illustration Workstation

2010-01-18T23:38:00.008+11:00

I enjoy drawing in candlelight, it's so beautiful and relaxing. With a bit of Brushfire Records playing in the background ...... But it's terrible for my eyes.

She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Teaching this soliloquy from Macbeth to twelve year olds is a bit rubbish and will go unappreciated, to be honest. I still remember sitting in class with the book out in front of me though, I remember that the cover was red in colour and the illustration to this was simply a candle, and some smoke. Anyway, no matter, I like it now.

Local arts and Amelia

2010-01-15T03:55:00.008+11:00

2009 was a good year. I discovered so much of Melbourne art, craft and design - such a wonderful world, and very much a community. Walking around the city, I pay much more attention to street art, not just as a whole but also the details (the lines, strokes, colours). Ghostpatrol is definitely one that I have been examining more closely lately. Absolutely beautiful. Oh, also, I got to witness a rather large graffiti project done at Hosier Lane the other week, which was certainly interesting.

My exploration of local arts wouldn't have even kicked off if it wasn't for my dear buddy Amelia. Check out her blog, it is full of insightful and intelligent thoughts and lovely photos which I enjoy every time.

All of these have inevitably influenced my approach to design and architecture. In all aspects too, from site analysis to the presentation at the end of the semester. Of course, then, there is the danger of boxing yourself in a 'style'. There is nothing wrong with having a distinctive style when designing, I suppose ... but I am one who believes in site-specific and non-prescriptive architecture (one that derives from its site, its history, its environs). We wouldn't want unsightly, sculptural, titanium-clad buildings popping up everywhere, do we?

Noel and coloured pixels having fun in the sun

2010-01-13T23:03:00.001+11:00

(Noel got a tan as a result of the playdate)

Noel gets serious with coloured pixels

2010-01-13T23:02:00.000+11:00

Noel plays with coloured pixels

2010-01-13T22:31:00.000+11:00

Meet Noel

2010-01-13T21:28:00.002+11:00

This is true

2010-01-13T01:51:00.003+11:00

Vogue, Matisse and Garance Doré

2010-01-08T19:35:00.006+11:00

I remember looking at a beautiful, simple line drawing of a nude in a Vogue magazine six of seven years ago, getting out a pen, and drawing it on a piece paper. A few years ago when I was living in Singapore with my aunt and her family, the minimal, elegant Matisse print of a nude* was one of my favourites that were hanging on the walls. There really is no particular point that I am making here ... sorry for being so anti-climactic!

Anyway, I very much enjoy the illustrations of Garance Doré, who is very well-known and respected for her fantastic fashion journal/blog (+photography). Her drawings are my inspiration du jour. Here are a few examples, taken from her blog:

Hmm, I suppose there is a point to that previous ramble afterall - I love the simplicity, elegance and fluidity (and the fluidity of an awkward line) of line drawings! The strokes, the density, the lack of lines that these drawings are composed of ... my goodness. The whole deal excites me.

*OK, that wasn't a line drawing, but more of a negative line drawing ... hopefully that made sense??

More Bennett

2010-01-08T15:59:00.004+11:00

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours."

Moving on, (if you were wondering) the word 'boredom' was invented by Charles Dickens, in Bleak House, in 1852.

I would also like to add that, I do realise that I have been writing about things not related directly to architecture. This is, and will remain a place of art, architecture and design in general ... but it is also important not to pigeon-hole yourself. To me, meaningful and evocative architecture not only self references, but also relate to (reference, and influenced by) other fields of interest. Thus, I am in an attempt to expand my knowledge by indulging in some good literature and music ... also a very summery thing to do, don't you think? I guess I can then draw a parallel to Ricky Swallow and the importance of music in his practice - he stressed this in an interview for The Age a few months ago. So, in his exhibition at NGV Australia, Ricky Swallow: The Bricoleur, there is a wee nook where he has handpicked a few sweet tunes for us.

OH, having said that, however, I am by no means saying that I am comparable to Mr. Swallow, of course.

Sorry, Jess

2010-01-06T23:01:00.003+11:00

First try was a big fat fail. I tried to salvage the mess that I'd made by toning it (what was I thinking!), which consequently fucked up your face even more - HAHAHA oh dear.

I tried again and it turned out a little bit better (right??) ... but you look like some sort of muppet. Apologies, my friend ...

Beach ball writing

2010-01-05T17:15:00.007+11:00

Apart from pondering and mulling over university education, I have been drawing and sketching. I have embarked on a fun holiday journey of graphic design and illustration. It's all good fun, nothing serious - it keeps me drawing. Those whom I have been drawing inspiration from include Barry Blitt, Oslo Davis and Jane Reiseger ... all fantastic. Anyway, that is all ... I feel like the more I write, the more this blog entry is becoming a beach ball, that is, without substance. Well ... here are some pretty pictures.

Jane Reiseger

Oslo Davis (He does quite a bit for The Age ... like 'Overheard')

Barry Blitt (He is probably most well known for creating the covers of the New Yorker)

Alan Bennett on Oxbridge candidates, and education

2010-01-05T16:53:00.009+11:00

"Cut to three years later, when I'm two terms away from my final examinations ...
I hadn't had a notable university career either socially or academically, and I'd never had the same sense of life opening ...
Now it was nearly over. I'd no idea what I wanted to do ...
Candidates do well in examinations for various reasons, some from genuine ability, obviously, but others because doing well in examinations is what they do well; they can put on a show."

Ominous as the above may sound, it is somewhat comforting that Bennett shares my sentiment. Having had three years of education at university, and being now a graduate, I don't feel like I have had an education. Rather, merely learning to overcome the continuous hurdles that are exams. What use is this after? Some may argue that one cannot blame the institution, the faculty or the staff, but unarguably they play an immense part of shaping that final step of formal education before being thrown into the real world. To be honest I am thoroughly unsatisfied this university education that I have received. Perhaps I am naive and an idealist, but is it so unrealistic to expect awe and inspiration from university and/or its staff? Especially in the design field. With one semester as an exception, the Rome course that me and about twenty others embarked on was a thousand times more inspiring than all the semesters put together. I have had many rubbish tutors that have given me (and others, I am sure) nought but discouragement and on their part, an unfathomable negative attitude and laziness. Certainly it is not unrealistic to expect guidance from those whom with years of experience in the field, to pass on their knowledge.

What is education? For me, I prefer Hector over Irwin any day.
(All I have been getting are Irwins. Substandard Irwins. Fuck.)*

*Oooook, I feel like I am overly whiney, but that was not my intention. I am looking forward, thus why 2010 will be so wonderful.

Dark Was the Night

2009-12-24T18:44:00.005+11:00

This album consists 31 tracks by various independent artists, released to benefit the Red Hot Organisation. It is fan-bloody-tastic, and produced by Bryce and Andrew Dessner of The National. The Red Hot Organisation's main aim is to raise awareness and funds to HIV and AIDS. Absolutely perfect for a slow, relaxing and rainy day like today ... with a cuppa.
(Thanks Wiki :)

Daryl Jackson

2009-12-23T22:35:00.001+11:00

perception
intention
decision-making
execution

Take Your Time by Olafur Eliasson, at the Sydney MCA

2009-12-16T18:39:00.013+11:00

To me, personally, Take Your Time by Olafur Eliasson was ultimately a journey and experience of colour and perception. I read somewhere that the title of this exhibition came from the fact that one can actually spend hours and hours at the exhibition and even revisit the experience ... and I certainly found that to be true. There are some exhibitions and galleries that I would visit once and would be reluctant to return, even if there are much more to see. Too bad though, for me at least, that Take Your Time is held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney! Eliasson held a talk in the morning of the opening (he was apparently only in town for 48 hours), but I had to give it a miss, unfortunately. A bit jealous as I overheard many talking about it as we were visiting!

Room for one colour (1997) (Image from Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary website)

I had reserved my last day of Sydney to attend the exhibition and intended to stay for most of the afternoon before I had to fly back to Melbourne. One of my favourites was no doubt Room for one colour (1997). The main reason is because it was an installation that worked perfectly. My friend Jess was standing in the doorway of the room and even before entering, and having no prior knowledge about the work) I said quite excitedly, "you're in black and white!". That one moment/second was surreal, and then fascination. I then read the exhibition guide and sure enough here is what it read:

"Monochromatic bulbs emit light at such a narrow frequency that they affect your normal colour perception, making the contents of the room appear in yellow or shades of black"

Maybe I just don't have sufficient knowledge on contemporary art, and however pleasing they are hanging on the gallery walls, I struggle to find meaning (sometimes purpose) unless I read the blurb sticker that accompanies the work. And that is why I very much enjoyed Room for one colour - the relationship between intention and reception exists without narration* (this is a whole other argument on contemporary art, isn't it?). It was the most immersive environment of the whole exhibition. Unexpectedly so though, because prior to the exhibition, I was most excited about physically being in 360° room for all colours.

360° room for all colours (2002) (Image from Lookintomyowl.com)

Having said that, however, 360° room for all colours was all sorts of incredible. We spent the most time in here. I think the reason why this was not as immersive was because of the room it was put in. It was in an ordinary square room with a high ceiling, so there were plenty of room for the light and rich colours to escape and leak to. I think, because of this, we found ourselves standing with our faces about 50mm or less away from the surface. We didn't realise how close we were standing, because the colours and light were so powerful. When viewing this, I was most interested in the phenomena that was taking place - afterimages. Afterimage is an aspect of colour perception, and is investigated by Eliasson in many of his works. I'll write a bit more about afterimages another time, it is really quite fascinating, and scientific. However, I really couldn't tell if the colour I saw was an afterimage or not (perhaps, that is the point?). There were moments and certain colours (we found to be, red ... or what we perceived to be red) that were so incredibly intense that it made the experience surreal and for whatever reason, made me smile. So, for lack of a better description, having staring at the changing colours on the installation surface, Jess and I were colour-fucked.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Model room (2003) - literally, a room full of models showing Eliasson and his studio's creative processes, experiential investigations. Being an architecture student, and the fact that building models is my preferred way of thinking, this was inspiring. And a parallel to Herzog and de Meuron's Archaeology of the Mind.

I suppose I was disappointed in Moss Wall (1994), but only because it is an installation that evolves and changes over time. Moss Wall is essentially a sizeable wall mounted with live, soft, imported reindeer moss from Norway. (Read here for more on the preparation for the installation, and please do! It took an incredible amount of planning and calculations, as galleries in the past have actually run out of moss.) It is aesthetically just beautiful and truly enhances the room it is in. Such a juxtaposition, as exhibited in the same room, was the sharply-angled, geometric and stainless steel Multiple Grotto (2004). It worked quite well, I think. Hopefully some pictures will surface throughout the exhibition on the progress of the moss (photography was not permitted in the entire exhibition ... but there were of course, people who still did anyway). How cool and funky it would be if the wall was put on surveillance through webcam, so nerds like me could track its growth and process over the internet?! Just a thought. Being the first day of the exhibition, the moss wall was fresh and had that gorgeous cream colour.

Moss Wall (1994) (Image from eliasson.com.au)

Moss Wall at MoMA (Image from akuban's Flickr)

There were, inevitably a few that I didn't quite 'get', but we are always learning, aren't we? There are many more that I would love to share my experience about, but I think I won't write any more - not only because it is difficult for me to express how I feel in words, but also because clearly Take Your Time cannot be justified by only words and pictures. Like I said, it is a journey that has to be experienced (like architecture, of course). Oh, and also, although Eliasson's photography did not produce as much fascination or stir up imagination and thought, it was emotive and evocative, and I enjoyed it very much. I am and will be endlessly fascinated by the work of Eliasson and his studio (and I apologise to those who constantly have to witness this love of mine!), sometimes and inevitably, not in the intended manner ... but much of the arts are indeed, subjective. How amazing and intellectually stimulating it would be to be working in his studio! Perhaps, maybe, one day ... if I am lucky and capable enough.

*I only recently had my first Rothko experience (yes, it truly is an experience, with Rothko) at the NGV (what have I been doing?!). Although only at a medium scale of 209.5 x 125.3cm, the emotion that the painting stirred up was quite amazing. What power a Rothko painting can exude! I have always read about how some would weep when they see a Rothko, and although I didn't cry, I did find myself needing a big fat cuddle. The longer I stood in front of it, the bigger the cuddle I needed. However much I feel like a cornball for saying that, it is no exaggeration at all.

Back from Sydney

2009-12-12T17:54:00.003+11:00

Back from Sydney -- spent the last day at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Olafur Eliasson's Take Your Time opened on the same day, what a treat! It was nothing short of amazing. I'm having a busy weekend, so will be writing about the exhibition sometime next week.

Also, two exposures left on my first film camera experience (black and white film)! Hopefully will turn out well. I bought a Pentax ME Super with a lens I'm not entirely happy with, but it'll have to do for now.

Sidenote ... I graduated level one of my Italian class this morning (haha), we got certificates and lollies. That is all, ciao.

Breaking Ground

2009-12-09T00:48:00.001+11:00

This book was getting ready to be put on display at a fantastic secondhand bookshop - Ampersand - in Paddington in Sydney, before I saw it on the counter and snapped it up. Read this --

Light Breakfast

2009-11-20T23:20:00.002+11:00

Brilliant! By photographer David Sykes with model maker Ridley West and Jennie Webster, who sourced the wonderful balloons.

Via Creative Review.

A drawing, Flinders Lane

2009-11-19T20:46:00.003+11:00

Flinders Lane (between Elizabeth and Queen Streets), done last year.

Penguins and Drawings

2009-11-08T20:27:00.003+11:00

Our design studio spent four weeks at the start of the semester studying penguins - with a focus on their movement in water and in air (land). It actually is quite incredible how different they move in both. We had a discussion where everyone agreed, quite obviously, that penguins feel more at home and natural in the water. On the other hand, they are quite clumsy and awkward on land. However, who are we to say that they are awkward? Sure, they do look awkward but it is their way of walking.

Because I'm nerdy, I watched March of the Penguins and ... well, they walk a lot. The emperor penguins make an annual pilgrimage from the ocean, and walk inland back to their ancestral breeding ground. The journey of 100+ kilometres takes several months. So, awkward? I don't think so. Brilliant film though - originally French, the English version has Morgan Freeman as the narrator (all the more reasons to watch aye)!

Some drawings (they were all drawn on A2 trace - except for the engravings, of course):

Engraving depicting movement in water

Designing a penguin enclosure: a moment in space. I was not very satisfied with this one, I find it a bit too rigid ... even though its purpose was to capture a 'moment'.

Another moment in space

Examining thresholds ... I decided on a literally depicting a physical threshold through a change in media and technique.

A passion for architecture, and Howeler Yoon Architecture's expanded practice

2009-10-30T20:55:00.015+11:00

I don't mean to be pretentious at all - but architecture to me, isn't just any old job. It is a job, but it is also, and more importantly, a lifestyle. We're constantly surrounded by it, there's no switching off, no escaping from it. It is a passion - you really have to be passionate about the whole sphere of architecture, and in love with it, to survive ('Survive'? Okay, a little bit of exaggeration there).

I went into architecture school not expecting anything, and I think that has helped me - in that I haven't been disappointed by the reality side of it. It has its ups and downs, as with everything else; but at the end of the day, if the passion and interest is there, it's all worth it. I'm not just saying this because everything has been handed in either. That said, however, I think there is a danger in taking architecture too seriously. It's excellent, of course, to work hard and make something out of nothing (which is incredibly powerful). Sometimes, though, we need to stop, take a step back and reflect ... and enjoy.

Looking back at this semester's work, I realised I've injected a large amount of 'me' and my interests outside of architecture into architecture. I love that - when non-architecture develops and becomes something architectural. Earlier this year, I attended the annual PAM Architecture Conference in Malaysia. One of the practices that stood out was Howeler Yoon Architecture (or MY Studio). I've been reading their publication, Expanded Practice. They create amazing architecture, the kind that I would like to be able to do one day - where process, applied rules and parameters result in the end product. Absolutely incredible. MY Studio does more than just buildings (hence, expanded practice) - one of my favourite from the book was Three Degrees of Felt, which purpose was to "take the existing canonical space of the Guggenheim (NY) and attempt to transform the experience through a material intervention which mediates subject, object and space". The sculptural surface was to hold The Aztec Empire exhibition in 2004. The process was meticulous and driven by several parameters. Head over to their website for a better understanding. Here are a few photos, from the practice's website.

Howeler and Yoon have also explored the role of architecture (more specifically, the relationship between surface and shape) in fashion. They employed the Mobius strip to "reexamine surface as a seamless transformative condition between interior and exterior" - the result is the Mobius Dress:

I really could go on forever on the practice of Howeler+Yoon. I like that much of their work involve hands-on exploration and reexamination. Lighting is another element that they explore. You may have come across their lighting installation for the 2004 Athens Olympics, White Noise/White Light:

So these are fibre optics and speakers, responding to the movement of people walking through the space. They trace the pedestrians, emitting white light and white noise - ultimately, in Howeler+Yoon's own words, "an interactive sound and light field". Absolutely brilliant and incredibly evocative - amazing, amazing, amazing. The practice is so inspiring and engaging (to its context, environment, users and observers), but I'll have to stop writing here.

Expanded practice? Yes, please! Oh, and on a last note, the book is very well written.

All images from Howeler Yoon Architecture.

This evening

2009-10-28T19:48:00.001+11:00

Something brilliant

2009-10-27T00:56:00.000+11:00

Wallpaper*, Aug 2009.

More bricks

2009-10-22T14:11:00.004+11:00

Took this photo yesterday while out in the city looking for beautiful brickwork. This one was off Lt. Bourke. Does anyone know how I can put larger photos on here? It's rather frustrating because they look rubbish when they're this size. Click on the photos to see a larger version - I'm thinking of getting this (and the previous photo) printed A3 size and framing them.

One Fine Afternoon

2009-10-22T09:42:00.000+11:00

Bricks, bricks, beautiful bricks

2009-10-17T22:01:00.005+11:00

There are so many things you can do with bricks. I've been exploring ways of expressing brick as a material. It's rather fascinating. Here are a few photos. There are a score more that I've taken, but final crit is this coming week, so it'll have to wait.

Albert Park

Hadrian's Villa - correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is the inside of a brick wall, rather than the face.

Hadrian's Villa, overwhelming!

Hadrian's villa, opus reticulatum and opus latericium

The Pianica

2009-10-02T22:07:00.006+10:00

A self-indulged post:

I was watching the video of Coconut Record's Microphone, and what does Jason Schwartzman find under a pile of rock? A pianica, of course! Anyway, it simply reminded me of when I was in a band (yeah, ha ha, very funny) and I played the pianica. We played La Bamba and won third place in the state. By 'state' I mean Kuala Lumpur, and by 'won' I mean amongst the primary school bands that were involved (yeah, ok, laugh some more). But hey, we won a little trophy each, and it was very exciting at the time!

Jeff Koons and Night at the Museum 2

2009-10-02T14:13:00.005+10:00

A very quick one. I indulged in some guilty pleasure last week and saw Night at the Museum 2. Can I just say that I very much enjoyed the interpretation of artworks? OK, so the Thinker part wasn't great ... but Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog was! Just prancing around delightfully. Yes please!

Image from Jeffkoons.com

Structural Studies Model, Wheatsheaf House structural steel

2009-10-01T01:30:00.005+10:00

This model is one small section (the bathroom and kitchen area, to be precise) of the award-winning Wheatsheaf House by Melbourne architect Jesse Judd of JLM Architects. It was a bit tricky to get the curves and angles right when constructing the model, I must admit - but worth it, definitely. This house is located outside Daylesford - main features include the beautiful and elegant use of steel and Colorbond cladding. How fantastically vivid are the interior colour palette! It creates an amazing contrast against, but somewhat also complements the dull surroundings that is the bush. If I remember correctly, this came out of the initial image/idea of a whale's rib cage (or some kind of rib cage ... shark?).

Indulge in some architecture porn:

(Images of Wheatsheaf House from Freshome.com)

Structural Studies Model, timber and brick

2009-10-01T01:24:00.004+10:00

Finally took some photos of this 1:20 scaled domestic timber and brick structural model. I learnt an incredible amount building this. Literally every time I pass by a residential construction site, I have this smile on my face, I stop and I look at the structure. It's fantastic to see what I have learned applied to a real structure. It comes to live, what I've learnt becomes real! The process of construction excites me, just looking at how bits join, come together, to form a habitable space.

Photographs: Chiese and basiliche, Rome, part one

2009-09-24T00:07:00.006+10:00

Borromini's S. Carlino (or San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane if you want to be technical)

S. Carlino

Sant'Andrea al Quirinale

Chiesa dei Re Magi

S. Maria in Campitelli

Santa Maria in Cosmedin - it's not visible in this particular photo, but the timber trusses looked amazing.

S. Maria del Popolo

Incredible ... S. Maria del Popolo

S. Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (tepidarium of the Baths of Diocletian)

S. Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri - look at the scale of it! It's enormous, but actually not overwhelming at all. Quite fantastic.

Magic Images

2009-09-19T10:59:00.006+10:00

Ever since being in the Atmospheres run by Melony studio, I've loved taking photographs of models to convey the essence of your design. In other words, capturing that evocative 'magic image'. You could do so much - experiment with texture, light (and the way texture affects lighting, and vice versa), colour etc. It's experimental, but the result can be absolutely brilliant. Here are three I have done so far this semester. They're not the best, but the general idea is there.

Charlie Roberts

2009-09-19T10:51:00.002+10:00

Check out these ink and gouache work by Charlie Roberts:

Now that is patience, which I currently lack, but I am getting better which is positive.

On a quick note, Holl and Scarpa are amazing and create such powerful and evocative architecture. Will probably write something on them soon, I'd love to learn more about their body of work and the way they practice architecture.

A Photograph

2009-09-14T20:09:00.005+10:00

This was taken at about 6am last week when I was up doing design (dirty lens too). Our mid semester crit is this week so it has been, and will be very hectic until then. I'm hoping to write more next week, when our two week break starts! I'll be a happy chappy then ... unless the crit goes horribly wrong, in which case I will be at home, under the covers, grieving.

Also, I'm planning on doing a one-day tour in the city or out in the burbs over the holidays and capture on camera 'moments' in space/place/design, intentional and unintentional. It is hard to explain what I mean exactly, but just wait and see! I'm quite excited actually!

OK, Toodles!

Quick trace: Albert Park Library

2009-09-10T00:55:00.003+10:00

Just a quick trace from a few weeks ago, of the Albert Park Library. OK, it is nothing fancy, but I thought I needed to update a little - I've been buried under a heap of uni work/tests lately, but semester break is soon so definitely looking forward to that.

Photographs: Materiality and Melbourne

2009-08-27T23:39:00.006+10:00

When things slow down a little at uni, I enjoy venturing out to nowhere in particular with my camera in hand. When I'm out, I try not to be simple a viewer - I try to be an observer. I enjoy discovering new things and small details that we would usually take for granted. It really is quite fun, too. Some recent photographs taken in the past two weeks or so:

I love observing details like this. Unexpected materials engaging each other.

Materials crudely joined together, can sometimes be quite beautiful.

A sign that has a history, tells a story. In this case, a 'after hours return' chute outside the Albert Park Library. Once taped.

A photograph that depicts movement and perceived sound.

Beautiful timber staircase leading up to Until Never gallery in Melbourne.

Block Arcade

Royal Arcade

These photographs aren't as strong as I'd like them to be, but I'm still, and constantly learning (aren't we all?).

Jessica Tong

2009-08-23T23:48:00.007+10:00

I have been friends with Jess since high school in year10, when I first moved to Singapore. She is quite a character, and is currently studying interior design at UNSW in Sydney. Jess is an amazing realist painter, and I think her paintings really reflect her view, her depiction and thoughts of the subject - subconscious or not. Here are a few snippets of her work, from her blog.

Sketches for a milk powder formula dispenser - don't you love seeing thought processes down on paper?

Food masher for babies - what a cute little design too!

Product sketch of Twist Bench by Kenan Wang

A particularly lovely product sketch of Espresso Machine, 1967 by Bo-Ema

Jess makes industrial design seem different and interesting. I suppose it is very much similar to architecture (but of course, at a different scale) - where pragmatics and aesthetics come together. Concepts, inspirations, working and reworking, the process, hard work and the final resolved product (or structure). It makes me want to do a short course on industrial design, just to see what it's like!

Most of all, I think, with anything at all (especially in the design field), we have got to have some fun!

Zumthor, John Cage and Olafur Eliasson

2009-08-22T18:40:00.018+10:00

Following up yesterday's Zumthor quote in Thinking Architecture, here is another one that has inspired me today. Please take your time to read and understand it:

"What interests me in this story reported by [Italo] Calvino is not the exhortation to precision and patient, detailed work with which we are familiar, but the implication that richness and multiplcity emanate from the things themselves if we observe them attentively and give them their due. Applied to architecture, this means for me that power and multiplicity must be developed from the assigned task, or, in other words, from the things that constitute it.

John Cage said in one of his lectures that he is not a composer who hears music in his mind and then attempts to write it down. He has another way of operating. He works out concepts and structures and then has them performed to find out how they sound."

So often as design students we fall into the trap of the former, i.e. waiting for that lightbulb moment and scramble to put it down on paper. I want to be like John Cage, my work a result of iterations, patience, hard work that come together at the end. I struggle in trying to achieve this, sometimes telling myself not to wait for that lightbulb moment, or to draw 'random' inspiration from images I had seen the day before ... but still cannot help myself doing so. But, I am willing to work for this Cage/Zumthor-style work ethic - the result and sense of achievement will no doubt be priceless.

Your Colour Memory, 2004 - 2005, by Olafur Eliasson (Image from NY Times online)

Last year, we designed an art pavilion to house Olafur Eliasson's Your Colour Memory. Our work was encouraged to emanate from what we had at hand a la John Cage. My pavilion was based on attraction, a result of a rigorous but rewarding process of site analysis. That semester was the best I have had so far at university. Each semester after that just seem mediocre, unfortunately. To sum up the project, I would say that it all came naturally. Amazing feeling. I felt like I had reached a whole new level of understanding on architecture, and I still do. A later post will be dedicated to this project. Here's a sneaky peek:

Thinking Architecture by Peter Zumthor

2009-08-21T20:29:00.002+10:00

A bit busy with uni lately. Friday is my favourite day. We finish studio at noon and the rest of the day is mine. I usually wind down the week by having lunch in the sun with a good book. This afternoon was spent reading Thinking Architecture by Peter Zumthor. It is an incredible book - for me, the book and Zumthor's practice encapsulate the architecture that I want to be involved in, that gets me excited. The sensorial experience of a space, the journey, the atmosphere! Thinking Architecture is written in a very concise manner - every sentence means something. It takes me awhile just to get through a page, but it is a beautiful and rewarding experience reading the book. OK, I sound like I am in love with this book, and I admit it, I am indeed in love. I have just started reading it, but I can already feel it has the potential to be life-changing (or at least, a major turning point) - a bold statement, yes, but I stand by my words.

My favourite part from today's read: "If a work of architecture consists of forms and contents that combine to create a strong fundamental mood powerful enough to affect us, it may possess the qualities of a work of art. This art has, however, nothing to do with interesting configurations or originality. It is concerned with insights and understanding, and above all with truth."

We have just begun our project for the semester at uni, so I will, without a doubt, try and translate the above statement into my work.

Christian Boltanski

2009-08-13T20:13:00.006+10:00

One of my favourite installation artists is Christian Boltanski. He is also a photographer, sculptor and painter. I came across him looking through the art book cabinet in high school, and did a few papers on him - endlessly inspiring. A lot of Boltanski's work reference self identity and the Holocaust, which is another passion of mine (that is, the history of Nazi Germany). His body of work evokes emotion within his audience; photographs of the children become personal, his installations engage viewers on a sophisticated, personal level. I particularly love the siting of some of his installations, just imagine being in that space with these incredible, strong images and atmospheric lighting! They seem so natural, that they belong at that one particular site and would just be wrong if done somewhere else. Less words - here are some of his work:

C. Boltanski Archives, 1965-1988, 1989 (Image from Centre Pompidou online)

Contacts, 2002 (Image from Artnet)

Advent, 1995 (Image from Tate online)

Just a note to myself: maybe write a bit on artists Andreas Gursky, William Kentridge and architect Peter Zumthor in the near future.

Iteration, and John Brack

2009-08-08T18:07:00.004+10:00

One of our two main focuses in this semester's design studio is iteration. I've found that this is a very useful and helpful way of working. It helps me think, not in my head but on paper which is of utmost importance in communicating architecture - and something I definitely have to work on still.

I took this photo as a self-reminder, it is from the current exhibition on the architecture of LAB on at NGV Australia at the moment.

I stumbled upon it when I saw John Brack's exhibition. Sidetracking here, but I enjoyed Brack's passion for the observation of the human condition. The way in which he translated it onto canvas, was very powerful and somewhat, I think, distinctively Australian - both his more literal earlier work, as well as his later work. My favourite out of his later work, I decided yesterday, is The Battle (more specifically, the Battle of Waterloo). It was the fact that he set out to do what he thought was impossible, i.e. depicting the grand scale and immense detail of a battle. Below is an image of the work for just a quick reference, but please realise that the actual canvas is 203 x 274cm.

The Battle, 1981 - 1983 (Image from abc.net.au)

The Golden Egg

2009-08-08T01:55:00.003+10:00

This wee conceptual project - more of a failed experiment really - was done in year 10 visual art in Singapore. It references Aesop's The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg, but transposing it outside the farm and into a larger, societal and contemporary context. It is also based on Korean artist Do-Ho Suh's Floor, whose work I still greatly admire.

Terrible photo, but it is the only photo I have of it, unfortunately. Perhaps one day I'll revisit it and properly set it up and document. Yes, I will do that.

I need Lego people.

This is how I spend my Friday nights, ha-ha

2009-08-08T01:05:00.006+10:00

Looking through the photos on my laptop - found this! This was a bi-annual sculpture competition organised by City Development Limited (CDL) in Singapore. I entered as part of a school project in year 10 in 2005, when I was still studying in Singapore. The winning sculpture was to be realised (or maybe it has already), was to complement CDL's luxury apartment development at Marina Bay in Singapore, named The Sail @ Marina Bay. Actually, I just did some googling, and according to the CDL website, commission for the winning entry is underway and now to be built at City Square Mall - yet another new shopping centre ... just what Singapore needs, eh? There were some amazing work there at the final exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum, by people of varied profession, background and age, even someone who was 13! My friend Jess and I were shortlisted to be in the finals - hers was eventually chosen to be part of the exhibition. As you can imagine, it was a big thing for the both of us at the time, especially her! We got buffet vouchers as a result, which is always good I suppose!

The image quality is poor, and it's the only photo I have left of it as I've changed laptops over the years. The theme was 'Live, Work and Play', I thought it was appropriate that my sculpture be based on sails as I see sailing as a lifestyle, a job (for the lucky ones!) and a leisure

activity. Anyway, here it is, my sculpture based on the fluidity of movement of sails:

The winning sculpture:

I do respect the artist's thought and work behind the sculpture. However, I don't see how or why, it was picked as the winner. Especially the fact that it was a project that was to be built in a public setting, to be viewed/enjoyed by the general public who may or may not be able to appreciate conceptual art. Now I'm not clear on how tall the winning sculpture would actually be 1:1*. My main opinion is that the competition asked a sculpture that would complement the apartment building, but I think such an iconic sculpture, depending on the scale, would simply overwhelm it. Would be interesting to hear what the thoughts of the future residents at The Sail. To each their own, though.

* The competition did not ask for a set scale.

Photographs

2009-08-08T00:15:00.005+10:00

Photography is a passion of mine. I've learned, very recently, that photos do not necessarily have to look pretty or be aesthetically pleasing. Instead, I try to think before I shoot - what am I looking at, why am I taking the photo ... After that, when I'm home looking over them on the computer, they mean much more to me as they have been well thought out - there was a specific reason behind this photo and I have captured it. The best advice an art teacher back in high school was that: take a hundred photos and if you're lucky you'll have 3 good ones to work with (or something along those lines!) - made possible by the good ol' digital camera!

But of course, for a bit of fun, I still do take photos 'just because', photos without much thought/reasoning behind them. If not, as I've found, photography just becomes something that is too serious, unenjoyable, dry, restrained, controlled etc., you get the idea! Keepin' it real, and fun.

Wow, too many words! Several photos now, oh, and please do click on them for a somewhat larger version, they really are better that way!:

The Arts Centre and the Yarra

Moomba Fest

Vault (or 'Yellow Peril') by Ron Robertson-Swann in front of the ACCA

Port Melbourne

Arab St, Singapore

Site Plans

2009-08-06T19:47:00.005+10:00

I remember drawing these - site plans help one understand the surrounding context in a different way. Personally, once I have understood what I have drawn (2D), it is much easier to then go to the site and translate that into the physical environment (3D). In other words, I love looking and reading maps. This interest was particularly useful in the Rome trip, where we had to study maps by Tempesta and Nolli, and then comparing them with prints by Falda, Vasi, Piranesi - to see how the urban pattern of Rome had evolved.

Anyway here are some site plans (and siting diagram, second drawing) of Gasworks Arts Park done last year - these were hand drawn. Just to put them in context/scale though, the first drawing was on an A4; the second drawing on an A3:

Jim Lambie, ACCA and Gasworks Arts Park

2009-08-06T12:36:00.006+10:00

Just a few site specific sensory/atmospheric sketches done last year for a project. The first three are of the ACCA and Jim Lambie's installation at the ACCA, and the fourth of Gasworks Arts Park in Port Melbourne.

Rome: St Peter's Basilica and Bernini's Piazza San Pietro

2009-08-05T23:40:00.001+10:00

Earlier this year in January, I was fortunate enough to be selected, along with 20 or so other students, to spend a month in Rome studying art history (plus a few days in Siena and Florence). The subject was titled Renaissance and Baroque Rome, and was led by David Marshall, Lisa Beaven and John Weretka - their depth of knowledge was both endless and inspiring. It was a truly amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Additionally, we got to see buildings and artworks that previously only existed in pages of history books - all those art and architectural history lectures came alive, it was absolutely overwhelming. It was a bit daunting at first, being an architecture student surrounded by art history students ... it was different, and exciting. The amount I have learned from the trip, I can talk about for days, but I will spare you that conversation (for now!).

Here are some photographs from the study tour (our own version of the Grand Tour, perhaps?) - I think I will only post up several photographs per post, more Rome posts to come. Let's have a look at St Peter's and Bernini's magnificent piazza (Bernini's architecture at its best I think! Actually, I consider it more a sculpture than architecture - sculptural architecture (?), to be honest) this time:

Tomb of the great Alexander VII

Watercolour

2009-08-05T22:56:00.001+10:00

I love watercolour, but certainly don't use it enough. It presents the user with so much freedom and can show confidence; yet at the same time you know you need to get it right because it dries quickly. I became interested in watercolour after an art exhibition back in high school, where there were a few amazing watercolour paintings by an obviously talented and skilled teacher. I really should practice and experiment more in this medium!

Anyway, some watercolour work I did in second year (on a handy A5) - I'm not skilled at all, but it was a lot of fun:

1. Preston Mosque

2. Hare Krishna Temple, South Melbourne

3. Russian Orthodox Church, Brunswick

4. See Yup Temple, South Melbourne

Movement: Melbourne Aquarium

2009-08-05T22:17:00.000+10:00

A visit to Melbourne Aquarium for design studio - study of movement in penguins both in air (land) and water. This is perhaps one of my favourite photos that came out of that visit - it sums up how confident, natural, swiftly penguins move in water, a complete contrast when moving on land. Has anyone seen a penguin tumble over while waddling? They look like they would with every step!