‘LITERATURE’
ASIAN FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT (6 – 9 MAY)
Could this possibly mark the start to the government taking child education seriously? On the 6th of May, the NBDCS and the Arts House will come together to hold the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. For the span of 4 days, there will be conferences, workshops and forums for those involved in the multi-media industry for children.
The event is not only open to industry players, but parents and teachers as well.
I applaud the organizers for playing their part in emphasizing the importance of art in children’s education. We all know the local education system is slightly lopsided currently, so a change is definitely in order. Early childhood teachers and art teachers everywhere, be encouraged!
HAPPYESQUE: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Happyesque is a journal of ideas and things, where each topic is given multiple perspectives from different contributors and more often than not, results in invoking much more optimism in our rather pessimistic beings, toiling in this fast-paced world.
Happyesque is now having a call for submission for articles for the months of February and March, exploring the theme “Love” in February and “Playgrounds” in March. The team welcomes all forms of contributions related to the themes and this include (and not limited to) feature articles, interviews, short stories, poetry, photography, illustration, painting, video and any other form of content that is transmittable via the internet.
Not sure what this is all about? Further details are available at http://happyesque.com/contribute, and at the same time, check out their thought-provoking articles. You will not be disappointed.
PERSPEKTIF: CITYSCAPES AUDIO JOURNAL
“The eye takes a person into the world, the ear brings the world to a human being.” -Lorenz Oken
Taking the initiative to bridge the relationship between sound and design, Perspektif otherwise known as Rizal Yatim launched the Cityscapes Audio Journals at the recent Singapore Design Festival 2009.
Taking a new twist into the untapped areas of design and sound, Cityscapes is a synergism of two seemingly different, but not entirely seperate cosmos, transpiring into a subtle recreation of the journeys undertaken by the visually impaired in Singapore through sound. As such, Cityscapes provides a fresh insight into the place-making projects of the visually impaired, opening up numerous possibilities for redefining the relationship between sound and design.
The book is a collaboration between the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) and various homegrown electronic sound artists such as sonicbrat, Randolf Arriola, Eswandy Sarip, Johnson Zhang, Mark Wong, mux, Kamal Lufti.
Kudos to the guys especially Rizal Yatim for the initiative, and ultimately contributing to the society with fresh perspectives. If you’re looking for something different and ultimately enriching, grab your copy of Cityscapes/Design by Sound, available at perspektif.sg and Asylum for SGD$110 a pop. The books come with an audio CD and are limited to 100 copies with 80% of the profits going to the SAVH, so you know you’re in for a good cause.
Produced by Rizal Yatim
Co Produced & Text by Eugene Tan
Photographt by Randolf Arriola & Kafeine
Art Direction by Tom Merckx
Mastered by Darren Ng
Featuring – Michael Fakesch, sonicbrat, Randolf Arriola, Eswandy Sarip, Johnson Zhang, Mark Wong, mux, Kamal Lufti.
NO.1 48pages NO.2 46pages, 216mm x 276mm NO.3 audioCD [50:04]. Free delivery within Singapore.
INTERVIEW: JESS C. SCOTT
Once again, determination requires applaud and RCGNTN gives it to local born Jess C. Scott. In addition to how being a master of words makes her intellectually appealing (or some might say, sexy), Jess C. Scott proves to be as intriguing as her writing; her bio includes personality test results and her favourite colour analysis. Unafraid to break out of the cookie-cutter mold, she freely channels her imagination into short poems, novels and prose. Such is apparent in her self-published novel, Eyeleash, which publishers stay away from because of its honesty.
Illustrations -Jess C. Scott
Who is Jesse Scott and what does she do?
Jess identifies herself primarily as a writer. She writes books, and is ever working towards eventual success.
When did your fascination with words start?
Long, long ago. I think I stapled a few pieces of paper together, and drew some pictures to a story titled “The Three Robbers” when I was 5 or 6. I liked feeling I could travel to another place, and/or be whoever I wanted to be—anytime, anywhere.
What do words mean to you?
DNA. Seriously, because whatever I want to say is all in my work. Writing is more than stringing a bunch of letters/words/sentences to me—the effort and dedication to the craft requires both my time and my life (they’re not really mutually exclusive).
Where is your favourite place to write?
Anywhere I can zone out and be left alone, uninterrupted.
I’ve read your pieces you’ve provided on your website, and they mostly seem very provocative and slightly exhibitionistic. Is that part of your personality or are you writing based on pure fantasy?
A mixture of the two, I suppose 
I enjoy looking at things from different perspectives, particularly if there’s sex + intimacy involved. In such stories, the point-of-view could be from a straight guy/gay male/lesbian. I can’t really be *all* of those at the same time, in real life. However, since Imagination is where I reside a lot of the time…….
You also have a book called Eyeleash which you describe as an experimental coming-of-age novel. What can we expect from it that will surprise us?
A sensitivity + awareness of the details, of the blog/IM format.
A raw honesty which is likely to be too “controversial” for mainstream commercial establishments.
A soul-searching component that is universal and unique at the same time.
Oh and there’s a lead Asian guy—Novan Chang. I don’t know of very many Asians in contemporary and young adult literature.
What else are you busy with presently?
I’ll be publishing/marketing another book later in the year (as well as “continuing on a degree”). I’ve been fiddling around with Kindle (Amazon’s wireless e-reader). Converting a .doc file to a format supported by Kindle involves more trickery than it sounds. I’m coming up with some concepts for future book trailers (for my next novel)—which means a bunch of illustrations have got to be done!
Some people write based on their life experiences and others write as a form of escapism. Which category do you think you fall under?
Again, a combination of the two. There is no greater substitute for experience, ’tis true. However, seeing beyond mundane reality is always nice too.
Do you think doing commercialized writing is equivalent to selling your soul to the devil?
I worry about the implications this might have on me financially—but yes, I do think doing commercial writing is equivalent to selling one’s soul (to each their own; I can only speak for myself). I must always have some regard for artistic/literary merit, social value, etc., in a story or book, if I’m going to be writing it.
Any last words?
Don’t give up on your dreams. It’s very difficult, but nothing’s better than doing something you really want for yourself, by yourself, and as yourself.
Jesse C. Scott’s novel, Eyeleash, is now going for free till the end of July. Click here for your copy!
For more info on her, check out Jesscscott.wordpress.com.
