Murals in Singapore, part II

In september I wrote  a blogpost about murals in Singapore. 

Two areas that I mentioned were Haji Lane, especially Piedra Negra, and youth park Scape.

The walls of restaurant Piedra Negra have gotten even more covered with murals, since the moment that I wrote my post. Fantastic! Very colorfull and a real work of art.

During constructionworks around Scape the fences were pimped with cool murals:

As I wrote in my previous post about murals in Singapore, there are not so many murals here. Therefor I'm extra happy to see more! And hopefully Singapore will only get more and more of them in the future.

Last Outfits for Last Act

A few times a week I buy myself a Straits Times, the leading Singapore daily newspaper. To keep up with what is going on in Singapore, for the weekagenda and for trending topics.

Compared to dutch newspapers like the NRC or De Volkskrant, the Straits Times has  more of a small-town-feel. 

Still informative, though, for an expat like myself...

In the beginning of september the Straits Times came with a reportage that surprised and impressed me very much.

It was called 'Last Outfits' and showed pictures of and interviews with people on the outfit that they want to wear on their funeral.

A very interesting article, with great pictures and interviews. What struck me was the variety of people and outfits AND some daring choices. Portrayed were e.g. a naturist/nudist (logically with a naked picture), a transgender and a young woman with terminal cancer. Very unorthodox and openminded for Singapore, in my humble opinion.

Being intrigued and impressed I did a bit of reasearch about the 'Last Outfits'-article and learned the following:

The project is an initiative of the Lien Foundation, a philantropical organisation. This organisation does many things, and one of their goals is to take away the stigma that there is on talking and thinking about death. They want people to start 'die-logues'. And they also want better care for the dying.

The "Last Outfits for the Last Act'-project is part of their campagnes. The Lien Foundation asked the Straits Times to have 8 of their photographers photograph 23 people. It was not easy to find people who were willing to talk about their last outfit and to be photographed in it, because many people are superstitious. Fortunately these 23 people were brave and willing. 

The lady with terminal cancer (who died shortly after) gets extra pages and pictures in the article in the Straits Times. She had her own missions: to wear a cheongsam and to be open about her illness. There is a picture of her sisters struggling with her wig, while laughing. Very brave and refreshing, to see Madame Foo 'do normal' about something so cruel and dramatic as cancer and dying. 

  

For more information, check out these urls:

http://www.lienfoundation.org/eldercare.html

http://lifebeforedeath.com/lastoutfit/index.shtml

http://www.lifebeforedeath.com/

http://www.lifebeforedeath.com/happycoffins/

My respect and compliments for this impressive and important project and reportage go to the Lien Foundation, the Straits Times, the photographers and journalists and last but certainly not least the 23 people that participated, especially (postume) madame Foo and her family.

The reportage made me wonder what I would like my last outfit to be.  I never really thought about that before....

It is not so much one specific outfit that comes to mind, but more clothes with some characteristics, that are typical for my style: feminine, colorfull, high (tango-)heels, accessorized, make-up as I normally wear, my blond curls spread out around my head like a halo....my body surrounded by pictures of all my loved ones...

What about you? Any ideas about your Last Outfit?

This post is dedicated to my dear sister-in-law who is bravely fighting an uneven battle with cancer. 

My 6 favourite Singapore magazines

Last month I wrote about my favourite books on Singapore. Non-fiction, that was, like travelguides and photobooks.

This time I present you a list with my 6 favourite magazines in, about and from Singapore.

Clicking on the name of the magazine brings you to its website. Often these websites are really good and informative as well.

#1: Time Out Singapore

Time Out magazine is wel-known around the globe for their monthly mags in various cities. Good and usefull up-to-date content, appealing look. Focus on 'what, where and when'. 

A must-read for every expat in Singapore.

Also to be found on the web.

#2: I-S Magazine
Great free twice-a-month magazine. To be found at bars and restaurants around town. And ofcourse on the web.
Not the prettiest magazine around, but lots of usefull, up-to-date content. Time Out Singapore is, although informative for everyone, more written for and by expats. I-S Magazine is not. It seems more locals oriented. Just as usefull for expats though.
Focus also on 'what, where and when'.

#3: Expat Living
A thick high-end monthly glossy. (SGD 6,50). 
Clearly focussed on wealthy expats and expat families with children. Lots of advertisement. Bit too much for my taste, but I just skip them;-).
Brings out practical (online) guides yearly and has an informative website.

#4: JUICE Singapore
Free monthly magazine. Young, commercial, focus on style, fashion and music. Informative and nice layout. Check out their website too.

#5: Catalog Magazine
A monthly magazine, free available at many bars, restaurants and retail. Very commercial, very young. But also fresh and funky. Cool lay-out and pics. 

 #6: Kult
The last one on this list is certainly not the least. Kult is as the name says: kult-y, artsy, different. A bit weird and funky and a feast for the eyes. Only images, hardly any text. Me likesssssssss!!!
The magazine comes out 4 times per year. 
Each publication has a theme, e.g. 'fear'. (See pics). 
Subscription per year: sgd 24. So far I got my copies for free at a restaurant;-).

What are your favourite magazines in and about Singapore?