Over 2,500 sq. m. in nine gallery spaces are recreated to narrate the ship’s birth, loss and rediscovery. The exhibition’s curators have adopted a linear chronological style in retracing the dramatic story of the 46,328-ton vessel, one of the largest of its era and infamously labeled as unsinkable ahead of its tragic voyage.

Before boarding the ship, visitors are invited to adopt the persona of actual passengers—each furnished with short biographies—whose destinies on that fateful night are revealed on a manifest near the exhibition’s end.

Over 275 artifacts recovered from the wreckage are on show, including items like crockery, banknotes, decorative fittings, a gold pocket watch, postcards, shoes, a cravat and even a suit case containing vials of perfume.

“The case had belonged to Adolphe Saalfeld—a German-born perfumer who was taking the samples to America to seek his fortune,” said Tom Zaller, Museum Director for ArtScience Museum.

It’s easy to reimagine the grandeur of the Titanic as you saunter through the first four galleries, including an intricate replica of the ocean liner’s fabled Grand Staircase replete with detailed carvings and bronze cherub. But the harsh realities of the socioeconomic situation are exemplified in the third-class quarters recreated near the ship’s boiler room. As a moving homage, the wall is adorned with images of the four heroic boiler workers who risked their lives to save others.

Set sail at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition through April 29, 2012 at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands.

The lines between tie-ups with commercial brands like Bombay Sapphire and gallery work have most certainly blurred. What is your personal take on this?

Without independent shows and self initiated projects, there would be a lower chance of the artists getting picked up by a brand. Being picked up by a brand, however, is not necessarily a good thing unless both parties are happy in this relationship. Some artists measure their success by the brands they have worked with while some artists feel brands exploit them. This boils down to which brands you like and feel affinity towards. Sometimes they compliment each other, sometimes they don’t. It can’t be forced, so the trick is curating the right people with the right brands.

Do personal aesthetics bleed across the commercial work? Or do you have any kind of set boundaries?
 

For us, we encourage personal aesthetics to flow into the commercial work. That is exactly why we take time in sourcing, selecting and briefing the appropriate artists. The boundaries ensure that the brand identity is still existent.

How important is the Blue Room in conveying a sense of community and creativity to future designers?

To me, is a perfect example of a community, bringing such a diverse group of artists of varying skill sets and interests together in one place under one central theme, “Infused With Imagination”. From illustrators to motion graphic designers to jewellery designers, The Blue Room is a platform for everyone to showcase themselves on not only a local level, but a global one(we are in talks to bring over the exhibits to London). With such an open brief, the artists were given free reign in terms of producing their pieces and the outcome was the fruit of their creative labour. Hopefully, visitors of the exhibition, creatives and members of the public, enjoy these laborious fruits along with their gin and leave feeling inspired as well and go forth and infuse whatever they do with imagination.

Finally, how much of Bombay Sapphire was consumed during the artistic process?

To be honest, not a lot was consumed during the artistic process but totally different story once the works were completed. A gin a day keeps life at bay, or so I tell myself.

Love the juniper based cocktails, don’t forget to join us at our next I-S Xperience on Nov 15 at The Bombay Sapphire Blue Room, DBL O, 222 Queen St. Wanna score a coveted spot, send us an email to [email protected] and (1) tell us why you think you should go, and include (2) your name, (3) age (4)occupation and (5) mobile number.

How did you get your start as a bassist?
It was in 1993, I was 13 years old and my brother formed a band with a couple of his friends. I used to play the guitar but because everyone took all the cooler instruments, I became bassist by default.

As a bassist, which two albums are your biggest musical influences?
Without a doubt, they have to be Pixies’ Doolittle and Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut.

What are some of your more memorable experiences touring?
Being mobbed by the paparazzi in Prague was pretty funny but on a more serious note, I have always enjoyed playing in Australia because we always play massive, sold out gigs there.

Which song do you refuse to play in a gig?
It has to be “Broken Hearts Parade.”

Any surprises in store for your fans in Singapore?
No idea at all but they can expect older tracks and B-sides. We are much more seasoned but will still maintain our high energy performances. Everyone would be sweating and jumping during the show.

So what happens after a Good Charlotte gig?
Probably getting drunk and violently playing dodgeball.

Good Charlotte plays their hits from Cardiology and more on November 18 at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel.

Contentment is all about... living a life of passion without fear or doubt, embracing life notwithstanding its frailty, hope and love.

One little ritual before I perform is... to repeat the word “Ohm” a few times to calm my breath and mind.

Performing is cathartic because... I get to be myself.

Biggest myth about local jazz... is that it is non-existent.

I would love to collaborate with... a consummate composer, poet and performer who does not rely on fancy costumes and gimmicks.

The perfect gig involves... music that is pure and heartfelt.

Catch Rani Singam on November 16 & 17 at Esplanade Recital Studio.

The intensely penetrating stare of Vincent van Gogh painted in a greenish infrared hue blowing out smoke sends chills down the spine. A furious Andy Warhol stares you down and you wonder if he is going to hurl invectives while you wander through the three halls displaying the portraits.

On display here are over 80 portrait paintings of both famous personalities, the artist himself and various unknowns (like an Indian lady). The works convey a gamut of emotions mainly through the choice of colors. But it’s not all ghastly and discomforting as the beatific faces of a youthful Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana are just two of the warmer pieces showcased here.

When one first looks at Hyung Koo Kang’s works, they seem similar in scope and technique to the influential American artist Chuck Close. But on closer inspection, they are much more than photorealist representations, in fact they are his hyper-realist interpretations of the world. This is embodied in his bright crimson self-portraits where he resembles Lord of The Rings’ Gandalf and is shorn of his Korean identity.

These incredible works will burn themselves into your memory for a long,
long time.

The Burning Gaze runs through Dec 25 at Singapore Art Museum.

In three words I am… flashy but classy.

I am frightened of… mustard.

The last time I looked in the mirror… I said, “Wow, you look like you partied really hard last night. Time to go get some breakfast.”

My definition of love is… it makes the world go round as the see-saws go up and down.

The greatest lessons that l have learned so far… money is still in print, but records are hard to find.

Soul is… something that can’t be taught or bought.

Catch Mayer Hawthorne at Friday Fellowship on November 11 at The White Rabbit. For reservations, e-mail [email protected].

Fear is something that is unavoidable. My personal philosophy is to cope with and even embrace it so that it doesn’t become a stumbling block.

Fatherhood is a humbling process. It is really tiring but extremely rewarding. And it’s something that you have to experience in order to understand the truth behind it.

My wife gave me a classic Volkswagen Beetle as a wedding gift, and I intend to bequeath it to our kids. Keeping old cars is certainly more sustainable than building new ones.

I spent my childhood with my grandparents in Kallang Bahru and hung out with the neighborhood kids playing at void decks and catching fish at the nearby monsoon drain. I don’t think my kids will ever experience that.

The smell and taste of freshly baked bread always comforts me. I guess my mum is responsible because she had bread cravings when she was carrying me.

Architecture is more than buildings—you also have to learn how to deal with aspects of law, social responsibility and managing human relationships.

Architects don’t design icons. It’s the people who decide what becomes one.

My post-graduate years in Bartlett were an eye-opening experience. I still recall my first project: It was about building a residential project for a new ethnic group in Liverpool.

It was a huge surprise when my course-mate presented the project. She brought a roast duck to class and even produced a recording of her preparing the dish. Through that documentation, I learned that the ritual of food in an ethnic community is something that is actually important when designing a residential location.

In my fourth year in Bartlett, I conceived The Nomadic Alien, a project where every facet of my life was intensively studied, even the microscopic particles of the rice I ate were scrutinized in a lab.

It’s a cliché but I always tell my students to travel because staying here will not sharpen your critical mindset as a designer.

Good design goes beyond style. It has to inspire and touch hearts.

I hate to take medicine because I have always believed that it’s best when my body heals naturally.

Long queues, traffic jams and rude drivers are some of my biggest peeves.

My mantra in life: Seek the truth, and beauty will inspire.

One obscure band that deserves more love is... Brooklyn-based band The Antlers.

Two secrets to crafting a sublime mixtape... Place an empty audio cassette tape in the stereo system, record the songs from our playlist, and make sure you use the B-side as well.

One image that pops into your heads every time someone comes to your party... our grandmas playing guitar hero in the living room.

The most unusual track that you would like to throw in the mix is... Sigur Ros’ “Ágætis Byrjun.” It’s like looking at an abstract painting by Jackson Pollock and not having the slightest clue what it means, but somehow it intrigues you.

Music geekery and indie labels are dangerous because... they inspire us to want to dance like Thom Yorke in the “Lotus Flower” music video.

Biggest myth about being indie... is that you need to look a certain way to be part of a subculture.

Curious? Check out their indie choons and a live set from local poptronica artist The Analog Girl on Nov 5, 9pm at Kinki. Log on to www.facebook.com/MixtapeC for more details.