Monday, July 25, 2005

The Versus: Art Communicates

Art defines as:
Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
1. The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.
2. The study of these activities.
3. The product of these activities; human works of beauty considered as a group.

High quality of conception or execution, as found in works of beauty; aesthetic value
Art communicates. It creates a relationship between an individual to another individual. We play our role as an artist to gather, communicate, assemble and inspire more artists, more talents, so we can create strong communities in the art industry.

However, people here in Malaysia abuses art. They try to set borders and limitations. Others who acclaim that they learn art and graduated overseas think different. I know few individual (artist) that shows their ‘art discrimination’ or ‘art racism’, who only select artist and individual who only graduated overseas to showcase or exhibit their work in an art gallery. It’s very obvious that ‘they’ wanted to form a different collective to dish out and put artist in hierarchy.

I am very concern about art education. It seems that our local education system would still think that art is redundant. That’s why we won’t able to see people around us who understand and appreciate art. And that is why our clients are born ‘artless’. For example, art education in America or western country is different. They (art educators) will teach kids in their kindergarten or junior not only to draw, but to understand art, how to see colors, learning the harmony of colors and even learning the history and the artists. In Malaysia, even if we have art education, art teachers who follow syllabus only teach student how to draw landscape drawing, portrait and simple subject matter which somehow doesn’t develop our art skills and our techniques.

Where thou art shall ‘stay’?
When I was a kid, long ago in our channel, we are able to see TV shows like Sesame Street, Art Attack, documentary of art, cartoons and illustrations that carries attention. I don’t see any local school have drawing competition anymore. I don’t see any school kids going in lakes or park in groups with their teacher to draw anymore.

Now, when I ask school kids on who are their favorite ARTIST, their answer was so simple; ‘Siti Nurhaliza’ or ‘Mawi’. I went berserk. That wasn’t the answer I seek for. I thought they would know who is Dato’ Lat, Ibrahim Hussein, Syed Ahmad Jamal, or at least Imuda (local comedian/actor who have crazy illustration works). I sighed, as to realize that the perception of ‘artist’ has changed forever. ‘Artists’ mean ‘recording artists’ to them, entertainers.

It’s one of the point why I wrote is post is because I see so many people are so judgmental and negative over Graffiti Art, which they consider as vandalism. It’s because they are not art-educated, neither in school or their family background. It sucks.

Study Case: Entertainment Industry
What Happened?


Let see what went wrong. Today, in Malaysia, is all about entertainment. It’s absolutely bullshit especially to see the Malays took it far to serious. Parents would rather spend their money to buy a VCD or DVD and let their kids watch uneducated movie such as ‘Sembilu” or “Cinta Fotokopi” which drives kids to negative mindset and turn them into love pigeons, who only cares about getting hookups with guys. Parents would spend hundreds of Ringgits buying ASTRO so that they can watch redundant program such as the lousy reality show, “Akademi Fantasia” who portrays local Malay (Muslim) untalented ‘pop-idols’ who spend their life doing useless activities, and doesn’t portray local ‘so-called-idols’ who doesn’t pray and full of fake dramas. It’s pathetic.
I still can’t figure out why it’s such a buzz to support untalented people who can barely sing well. Even the blind old man in Puduraya near Plaza Rakyat LRT Station (near the famous Kuala Lumpur bus station) can sing and play good music. Real music fades, popularity increases. It’s funny that all these recording artists in Malaysia actually didn’t do so well. They are so popular but their album sales are only less then 30,000 units. It’s a sick industry. Everyone can tell. And that is why Indonesian recording artists sells more albums rather then the local ones, because they are lack of quality, only try to be glamour which can only last a minute.

So what does our politician do? Do we really need to blame the government or we ourselves need to play the role in order to make sure our young generation understand and learn how to appreciate art? We will see.

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It was indeed a blazing hot Saturday. After me, Daniel & Lekan (Dap) sent our dearest friend, Gaby & Cristelle (from France) at the KLIA airport, I went to sign on some documents and papers later with my papa at the Bank in Masjid Jamek. I reached home at 11:30 am and fetch my friend Azhar a.k.a Orkibal to join me for our UBU Graffiti session in Bangsar. Once we’ve arrived, we met Ghostfinger & Rooty.

In the Afternoon, I met the graffiti artist involved in the project on top of the roof of UBU/COA/MalaysiaKini building. We set our marks and all of us went to have our lunch at the Mamak (Indian-muslim) restaurant nearby.

With Beastie Boys playing loud on the roof top (thanks to Shieko for providing the CD), we started our graffiti with style, where Perez gets to shoot us an intro video using his expensive videocam, art directed by Shieko. The scene was like a Hotlink ad. Damn, it was hot. We were all dehydrated.

Joining me is Rooty, Tha-B, Ghostfingers, and the spectaculars like Orkibal from Artvts, SWS (Sembur With Style) Team; Shieko, Iwaz & Sona (Drew @ GhostOne is still in Australia), and last but not least is our fellow DMP member, Perez, with his first stencil of his logo ‘Perezoldschool’ :P We had so much fun and it was a successful event for us. The place we did our graffiti art (legal ya'all!) was at the rooftop near Putra Bangsar LRT Station. So you will get the chance to see our work behind the 7-11 store, of course at the roof top.

Checkout the graffiti pix at my fotopages:
http://muidlatif.fotopages.com


Thousand of appreciation goes out to UBU for providing us the space, and to the great Graffiti artists involved. It was a great pleasure hanging out with you guys. Perez, sorry that we didn’t have the time to see your premier showcase of your video works later that night, but thanks for sponsoring us the 100Plus isotonic drink! Yeay! I hope you are feeling better now.

I would also like to thank everyone who came by and see our works, friends like Akira (Sifoo.com), Rafil, Bell, Gerek & the gang, and the participants of the event.



Gaby & Cristelle
My new friends, which I forever enjoy your stay here in Malaysia. I will miss you guys and hope to see you guys in France in near future. There’s so much to talk about and catch up. Gaby, thanks for the wonderful words that hold the strength to let my love grow for my sayang. I never realize how much love is. It’s really in those loves songs. Lekan, thanks for introducing your crazy-cool buddies. Much love from me, baby.

Visit our photo album at: http://www.moedlatif.com/misc/gambar/gabycristelle

To my Sayang,
I miss you so much. I’m sorry for all the things I’ve did to hurt you. I was being so self-centered which I shouldn’t have. I will let myself be more positive. Thanks to my friends who had supported me and carry many beautiful words and advice to keep me stay happy and alive. I love you. Loving you is amazing. I wish you upon success and prosperity back at Mauritius. Je viendrai pour vous mon amour..



* dancing with cans... that's right...

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

As the days goes by....

Catching a bad fever is not what I have in mind. It’s been 3 days and I’m dying to eat nice food and do ‘normal’ things. I have to sleep early (in my term, 1am). I miss hot and spicy food. I felt so vegetarian right now (Abby, not Vegetable tau...)

Anyway, I’ve my mind is getting more hair-wired, apart of settling my previous debts due to my previous %uc&up company back in KLCC who still haven’t paid their employees for almost 2 months, they still owe me 1k. My parents said to forget about it and move on. It’s been tough, but thank God if it’s wasn’t for freelance, I might not be able to sit in front of the computer today. I make RM500-2000k per week, however, on 24th of June, I decided to work on a 9-6 basis job. At least, I have the chance to receive permanent and stable income.

I’m not sure what my life is heading, but I’m taking it positive. I’m now working with a Singapore based company which I found very remarkable. I still trying hard to fit in and trying to find ways to improve myself and learn more new things around.

My dearest and sweet love
The person who I misses most my dear Sayang. It’s been awhile, and challenges is getting more serious everyday. We are able to talk on the phone and SMS. Just that. I miss touching my sayang’s face and those beautiful kisses. Miss walking on the streets of KL with my sayang.. it’s been hard and my sayang always told me to be strong. I’m trying to balance myself. I pass numerous things but my heart, still carry and burden me with clueless emotion which somehow rampage to scream out loud. Dear God, I love you for showing me the sign to stay strong.

Workaholic?



Exhibitions, yes. Graffiti, yes. Being a part of guest photographer for DailyMalaysia (Thanks Shafina!), last weekend I spent my time with my Singaporean Graffiti Artist, Killergerbil, Phuek, with them are their dearest love. Seing them makes me jealous and envy because I wish the love of my life is here with me. Anyway, it was also nice to see Orkibal, Rooty, Alfromeow, Shiekster, Sona or SWS, Tha-B & girlfriend. We had fun chatting, sketching and did few throwups in Sri Hartamas & Bangsar. Next week we will have a graffiti event in Bangsar, YES LEGAL one. Can’t wait to try out my new graffiti illustration on my new character, Papa Afro and a touch of oriental, like the one I did at Wondermilk, Uptown Damansara. Let see what happen next week.

A very good news



Thousand appreciation goes out to Carole Guevin of Netdiver. Getting my portfolio site in the portal has been a privilage, to be listed with the world's greatest artists, illustrators and creative minds. Yeay!

Heard Jamiroquai’s latest work? A-must! Now, adding in my jukebox is CafĂ© Del Mar Volume 12 and Anthony Hamilton. Sleeek! Oh, yeah! Went to Bon Odori last Saturday. It was wicked. Checkout the pictures here. Arigato!





* dancing in weakness, fever and stress….
_

Friday, July 08, 2005

Life (Part V): Spellbound

Two Destinations, Two Objectives, One Heart, One Soul

Set on two different direction, I, on 6th of July, went to Singapore for two days work and my lover, “Sayang or A”, went back to A’s homeland the next day. Both of us can’t stop thinking about each other, on how we going to miss each other and how to deal with the reality that both can’t be together for awhile.

The night before, was a bid of ‘farewell’, where My Sayang doesn’t consider our last moment as a ‘goodbye’. “I will be back soon, I promise you and you have to believe me”. It was A’s very last words that still lingers in my mind. And there was pain that I couldn’t forget. We had our time together, had a nice dinner (sushi), later in Starbucks, where we put a vow together, share the smile. 30 minutes later, we had argument and misunderstanding (damn that bloody phone call). I walk away from the cafe, and My Sayang grabbed my hand and God knows what happened. It was ‘black before my eyes’. I continue to walk away from the crowded scene, with my heart broken to pieces. Ten minutes later My Sayang called. It was obvious that both of us did wrong move. We went emotional. I had made a big mistake. I got it all wrong. Later, we meet up nearby Bukit Bintang and start walking again together, holding my hand and keep making jokes to make me smile again. My Sayang was really trying hard. I gave up and smile. I know I love My Sayang and I want to make our “last” day most valuable day in my life time.

We took the train back home, since I parked my car nearby my place. I sent My Sayang of to My Sayang’s apartment were we bid farewell. I leave My Sayang a piece of note which I wrote earlier. It breaks my heart to see My Sayang leave from my sight over the side mirror of my car. My heart shed to tears. I tried to be as strong as I can, but I couldn’t stop crying. I put my head to my car’s steering after My Sayang left me. A minute after the door opened and My Sayang hold me and kiss my forehead. It was a moment I will never forget. It was something to remember.


Love is by near, love is by far, You loved me, and you complete me

Officially Missing You (Honey, you know that song!)
Sayang, I’m not over you and I will never do. I might have the power to make a fortnight in your life reminiscent of beautiful four years with you, but you my love, you changed my life everlastingly. You won my heart, you took my breath away, and you make my dream come true. You gave me best of love, hope, inspiration and motivation to be positive. You really take care of my heart and you always learn to find thousand ways to keep me happy. You really put a move on my heart. You’re just the one I’m looking for.

Where shall I stand in the rain without you by my side? If you don’t go, shall you gratify this very heart of mine, to be the sentiment that I longed for you.

Long distance call my love?
Glad to hear your voice yesterday. I'm glad you're alright. Try your best to achieve your ambition, I will always support and love you, till the end of time.

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What I’ve been doing lately?


"And we spent!" Amazing work of Sona and my all-new Papa Afro.

Wake The Baby Sdn. Bhd, commissioned Sona @ Mika of SWS team and myself to work on a legal graffiti piece that was used as a background prop for a music video by the new up and coming R&B hip hop artist Shazzy. (Pictures available at Shieko’s fotopages and Caryn’s blog). The cheque I received allows me gain extra cash to go to Singapore (two days work). Thanks everyone (Azril for being such an adorable editor!). Cheers!






* I had my pre-last dance the other day with my sayang, ain't the last dance!