2013, Digital Print, 841 x 594 mm, Series of 3
By MUHAMMAD RAZALI BIN PUASA, CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (Secondary), Art Teacher
Dark, dingy and dripping with unseen dangers, derelict buildings form the alley. It offers a quick connection, but often accompanied with the smell of stale urine, the sight of garbage and the fear of uncertainty, which oftenprompt its user to forget its existence. Synonym to this, with the digital age, photography has evolved and slowly the processes of capturing light seem to be long forgotten. The off-focus or dreamy effects of this artwork tease the viewer into thinking critically and creatively.
Through the process of making this artwork, I managed to connect studentsof the digital era to the process of traditional photography techniques of capturing an image, without going through the process of the darkroom.Using the digital pinhole camera allowed us to learn from a series of mistakes we were bound to make, before capturing the desired image.
Lesson Ideas for The Forgotten Alley (2013) by Muhammad Razali Bin Puasa
This lesson is suitable for students in: Secondary 2 (GAP Students)
Artwork title: The Forgotten Alley
Name of artist: Muhammad Razali Bin Puasa
School: CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (Secondary Section)
Possible Guiding Questions
1. What do you see in these photographs?
2. Where do you think these photographs were taken?
3. Why do you think the artist chose to take these photographs at these locations?
4. How do you think these photographs were taken?
5. What message do you think the artist is trying to convey?
6. How do you feel when you look at the photographs?
Possible Elegant Art Tasks
In this lesson idea, students could be exploring places and identity through photography.
One of the elegant art tasks could be:
You have been inivited to be a guide for a group of exchange students who are here to learn more about our local culture.
You can only bring them to one location that you consider most representative of Singapore. Where would bring these exchange students to? Provide reasons for your choice.
Create the lens for the Digital Pin-Hole Camera using paper cups or other possible items. Take photos that best represent the location using the Digital Pin-Hole Camera.
aedge 