vinyarb- you just have to read it

Awesome piece of furniture, no doubt inspired by the petrifying stares from Medusa.

See more of the human furniture collection here.

When we hear the word "design", what comes to your mind? Since I'm from the communications industry, I think flamboyant Art Directors, coupled with geeky copywriters, combining their respective talents in crafting a compelling piece of advertisement to persuade the rest of us to cough up good money for something we probably don't really need to survive on.

Other "design" thoughts that come to mind are grungy tattoo artistes or brilliant but reclusive graffiti artist Banksy.

But in fact, design encompasses all we know. Somebody had to have designed the office buildings we work in, the malls we shop in, hell, even the handles on buses and cups! Design, together with technology, is what allows elevators to work, enabling us to work/live in high rise buildings.
Can you imagine life without these?

Remember not too long ago, mobile phones looked like these?

But design is a ever changing constant, demanding different things with the needs of different generations. Today, design is crucial, not just for our comfort, but also, for the good of the world, as we seek to reduce the impact of our existence on our Earth's resources.

Can we re-design the way we live so that we can continue to flourish without compromising our atmosphere, our fellow Earth inhabitants, and most of all, our future generations?

This is the hope for Singapore Design Festival 2009. The theme is Design 2050 - Possibilities for Tomorrow

What would you foresee the world to be in 2050?

Clothes that autoclean?

Kinetic energy harnessed from sporting activities?

Solar powered everything?

Personal transport jetpacks?

Why not?

Check it out if you're keen and have ideas for the survival of mankind. Or if you're just really into design stuff.

So, I'd been given an invite by Riley to the MINT Museum Halloween party. Dressing up was encouraged, and for days, I pondered what I would go as. After several days of discussion, it was concluded that the best outfit I could go, was as a member of the LOST Dharma Initiative.

I mean, how cool would that be, right? Imagine this!

Then I googled the jumpsuit, which was only available in the US, and taking into consideration shipping costs and time, the jumpsuit suddenly ceased to become an option.

In the end, in part due to cost constraints, and in part my extreme procrastination skills, I copped out, and opted for a "knife-in-the-cereal-box" cereal killer outfit. (which technically wasn't even really an outfit, since i wore normal clothes, and simply held a murdered cereal box)

The wifey, not to be outdone, went as "blackmail" (a creatively thought up blackdress with a stamp stuck below her neckline.

The Museum opened its doors to ghouls of every kind, and in we went for food, tarot readings (she says i'm a leader... but only from 35 onwards. Watch out, Jacob!), crystal readings, portrait drawings, and bucketloads of toys from all eras!

The amount of toys were huge, given the museum's 4 storeys (not including basement restaurant and rooftop pub!)

Here are some toy/memorabilia pictures taken:

Thanks NHB for organising this, and do visit the MINT museum if you're keen on all things toys.