DUMPSTER

DIVING
Why they live on waste

CAN’T DRAG
HER DOWN
Why a young Singaporean
man reigns as a queen

MORE OF LESS
Why they seek the minimalism
way of life
ILLUSTRA
TION BY
: ZARER
LIM

JAN // FEB ISSUE NO.1

 CONTENTS TEAM
1-4 Leticia Sim
METALHEAD EDITOR
DRAQ QUEEN Here at MARSH, we believe that the heart of
Singapore lies in the vibrant, colourful
subcultures that encompass our little red dot.

For many, subcultures are the non-judgemental

family for misfits and rebels of mainstream
society. Inspired by the chaotic passion of a
mosh pit and the comforting nature of the
Singapore marshlands, MARSH aims to shine
a light on the various rich, lively communities of
Singaporeans living outside the norm.

On behalf of my team, I hope reading about

their experiences will encourage you to step
outside your comfort zone and fearlessly

5-8
express yourself !

MINIMALISM
DUMPSTER
SUB-EDITOR SUB-EDITOR
DIVING
Nah Min Ning Joanne Muk

9-14
HARAJUKU
HANFU
CALLIGRAFFITI

15-16
INDIE MUSIC
LOMO
PHOTOGRAPHY

Erica Foo Eunise Ng Primalia Pok

VISUAL EDITOR HEAD DESIGNER DESIGNER
JOANNE MUK takes a deeper look into the person-
al life and struggles of a local metalhead, Dew M.
Chaiyanara.
F
or the first time in over 10 years of being a drama teach-
er, Dew M. Chaiyanara, 34, was prevented from entering
a school canteen due to her appearance. Dressed in a
fully black ensemble, heavy black eye make-up and sporting
bright purple hair, Ms Chaiyanara was looking to buy a bottle
of water at the school canteen. However, she was stopped by
the operations manager of the school, who found her attire in-
appropriate. The rare encounter was puzzing and unpleasant,
but she is no stranger to such unpleasant episodes.
“We don’t actively go out and punch people in the face. But at
the same time, we’re not the sort to be walked all over,” says
Ms Chaiyanara.
Behind the façade of her dark dressing style and her “metal-
head” label, Ms Chaiyanara is a veteran writer, theatre director
and actor. Between directing and acting in shows at her very
own theatre, Underground Theatre, and being a content pro-
ducer for The Asian Parent, she still finds time to be a proud
and loving mother of her five-year-old daughter.
From her unconventional appearance and taste in heavy music,
Ms Chaiyanara is often perceived as rowdy, dangerous or even
satanic. Many assume that someone like her who is decked out
in their usual dress code of black from head to toe and adorned
with piercings and tattoos are likely to practise unhealthy hab-
its like smoking, drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Contrary to
stereotypical belief, she does none of the above.
Despite all the inconveniences, Ms Chaiyanara still lives by her
lifestyle as being a metalhead is a form of self-expression for
her. She was only six years old when her parents first exposed
her to rock music, which immediately clicked with her. Years
later, this interest in heavy music eventually sparked her love
for metal when she was learning about the various subcultures
in Singapore while studying at LASALLE College of the Arts.
“Having blue hair does not affect my ability to parent my
child,” Ms Chaiyanara commented upon recounting past mem-
1 | PROFILE
ories of facing misjudgement as a parent. She raises her
daughter with the firm belief that parents should place
strong emphasis on developing their child’s personality
and educating them on the rights and wrongs in society
before narrowing down to appearances. She adds: “There
are things you just naturally feel drawn to wear or embel-
lish yourself with. I just dress the way I am.”
Reiterating how people should not judge others based on
physical appearance, Ms Chaiyanara hopes to share with
the public how subcultures can bring comfort to many.
“I’m going to be a blue-
haired grandma wearing a
Slayer T-shirt until I’m 84
years old because that’s
just who I am. That’s just
my way of life. I’m not go-
ing to stop being a metal-
head.”
- Dew M. Chaiyanara
For Ms Chaiynara, who is “just one of the many misper-
ceived metalheads in Singapore”, the metalhead commu-
nity is the non-judgemental family for misfits and rebels
of mainstream society. Although seldom talked about,
the community is bustling with activity, holding gigs and
concerts regularly. Being part of this community is where
many, like her, find a family and where they feel at home.
It is through her latest theatrical production, SubII: The
Art of Exploitation, where Ms Chaiyanara puts her expe-
rience to good use, highlighting
predicaments the metalhead community
encounters in Singapore. She highlights
that SubII will be the first-of-its-kind
where actual punks and skinheads
are casted and that it is centric
around misunderstood subcul-
tures in Singapore and the
struggles they face.
Having been part of the
metalhead community for
several years, Ms Chaiyanara
has gotten to know locals
from various backgrounds,
united by their shared love
of metal. She states that the
recruitment for her play was
initially challenging as many
punks and skinheads were not
“theatre trained” and would
find performing on stage “a little
daunting”. However, by showcasing
the real and gritty lives of Singapor-
eans who live outside the norm, she
hopes to bring forth the message that
one should not be so quick to judge as
metalheads like her are just like every-
one else - human.
“Even if I’m 84, I’m still going to be a
metalhead,” Ms Chaiyanara said: “I’m
going to be a blue-haired grandma wear-
ing a Slayer T-shirt until I’m 84 years old
because that’s just who I am. That’s just my
way of life. I’m not going to stop being a metal-
head.”
PROFILE | 2
 CAN’T H
er face was caked with layers of foundation,
adorned with massive false eyelashes and ra-
zor-sharp contour that sliced her cheeks in two.
Clad in a large puffy dress paired with eight-inch heels,
views on social issues concerning the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender community.
“Ultimately,” Mr Goh says: “I’m just trying to make a positive

DRAG
Arya Dunn took the stage at the raunchy Riot! Drag
Show. Launching into a passionate lip-sync performance
of the iconic Broadway number Don’t Rain on My Parade,
all eyes were immediately drawn to her.
impact and I hope the world sees and understands [me] too.”
Starting out at the age of 17, it has not been an easy journey
for him.

HER DOWN
LETICIA SIM sits down with Arya
Dunn to find out about what it’s
like to be a young drag queen in
Singapore.
“It was liberating; I felt pretty, I felt powerful, I felt em- “I was being shut down all the time because people thought
powered,” she says in recollection. that this young boy was just playing with makeup; [that I
was] not really going to accomplish or do anything out of
Four years later, it remains her favourite song to per- it,” Mr Goh recounts. After countless hours of hard work and
form live, holding it dear to her heart as a representation practice, he eventually built up a strong social network in the
of her long, tough journey of self-discovery as a drag scene and started booking larger gigs.
queen.
His parents still do not fully understand what he does, but
Off stage, behind the heavy make-up and over-the-top Mr Goh says he has grown to be contented with the fervent
costumes, Arya Dunn is a 21-year-old Singaporean man support from his friends.
named Lucas Goh.
Explaining how drag serves as a
Mr Goh chanced upon the “There’s a lot of things means of catharsis from the clinical
world of drag four years depression he suffers, he highlights:
that I wish I could carry
ago, when he was a Fashion “I’m struggling with my mental
Media student at LASALLE over from Arya…the at- health as well, so Arya is a form of
College of the Arts tasked titude, the mentality, the escapism.”
with painting circles for a openness and the bravery,
school project. “I was think- I wish I could translate that There is a sense of poignancy that lies
ing about painting my face beneath Mr Goh’s drag persona — the
because it is kind of round,”
into my life.” result of years of struggling to come
he says. As he learned more to terms with his gender and sexuali-
about face painting, he also - ARYA DUNN ty. Mr Goh openly identifies as gender
grew an interest in drag fluid, someone whose gender identity
make-up and culture. flows in between Male and Female.
He also identifies as pansexual, meaning that he is attracted
A play on the phrase “Are you done?”, Arya Dunn is a to people regardless of sex or gender.
bolder, more confident and wittier version of Mr Goh,
with her tongue permanently in cheek. He deems Arya This escapism from the gender dysphoria he faces in such a
as a heightened version of himself, saying : “Arya is hyper-masculine environment is shown in the unconventional
everything I want to be because there’s really nothing way Mr Goh portrays Arya. “When I was younger, I was strug-
that’s off-limits for her.” gling with my sexuality. And once I started doing drag, I think
drag is a gateway drug to me, because it really is so different
“There’s a lot of things that I wish I could carry over from and open,” elaborates Mr Goh.
Arya…the attitude, the mentality, the openness and the
bravery, I wish I could translate that into my life,” says And just like his favourite song, he’s determined to not let
Mr Goh. anyone or anything rain on his parade. “That’s how I choose
to identify and it’s my way of reconciling with myself ... I am
He takes immense pride in having a platform to voice his who I am,” he says.

3 | PROFILE PROFILE | 4
 LESS IS MORE
Eunise Ng explores the consumerist society of
Singapore, where a group of minimalists prefer a
stark room free from unnecessary clutter.
back in 2006. This figure was attributed
to Singapore’s growing affluence over the
last couple of years. In fact, according to
a study by the Global Wealth Report by
Credit Suisse Research Institute in 2016, the
average wealth per Singaporean adult was
one of the highest globally, with Singa-
pore coming in at 7th place among large

S
economies.
now white walls paired with wooden flooring of walnut.
3 THINGS Every so often, chancing upon a splash of colour. They According to Ms Wu, Minimalism is the
TO KNOW IF live with only the bare essentials : A mattress, a refriger- precise opposite of all that is wasteful.
ator and a wardrobe. Neither couches, coffee tables, nor large On the other end of the spectrum, there
YOU’RE NEW TO clunky pieces of furniture indicative of their personality are to exists what is known as an aesthetic minimal- home that allows for a minimalist to practice minimalism
MINIMALISM be seen. ist. This is a term that describes minimalists who are in it in the home.”
for the physical beauty of minimalism.
However, with two children under their roof, minimalist blog- Despite the differences between both types of minimalists,
1. Less personal ger Ms Kate Wu, 35, acknowledges the difficulty in maintaining Mr Keith Ng, 32, the design director of The Minimalistic there is one thing that both Ms Wu and Mr Ng can agree
a simple lifestyle. For instance, they would need to keep spare Society, shared how through their work, they lay the foun- on, and that is how the values behind sustainability and
objects
bed sheets and her children would constantly clamour for toys. dation for many aspiring zero waste can be weaved
Citing how the last time she bought anything for her daughter minimalists to kickstart into the art of minimalism.
2. Cheaper to was three months ago during her birthday, Ms Wu says that in their new lifestyles. “For us, minimalism is about fo- Ms Wu believes that by
renovate order to instil the same lifestyle in their children, she and her cusing on the core of what is re- keeping all her purchases
husband have decided to start them from young, when they are He explained that although intentional, she is helping
most impressionable. some of his clients might ally at value so that it frees up to reduce the carbon
3. Minimalist Home
= Big Spaces have initially approached from other unnecessary distrac- footprint. Similarly, Mr Ng
Ms Wu terms herself as a functional minimalist - individuals who
pursue minimalism as a lifestyle to better their lives. To her, the
his designing firm for the tions, focusing on experience, agrees that essentially,
minimalism stems from
typical minimalist dream
idea of “living intentionally” is what draws her to this simple house - which encapsulates over things.” wanting less so that one
lifestyle. “The appeal about living in a place with no clutter that is the spirit of the zen-like can gain more in other
really liberating, It’s not really about the design,” she said. ambience of a Japanese aspects, such as emotional
home fused with simplistic
- Kate Wu fulfilment.
Carefully noting how many in Singapore are in “pursuit of material furnishings, they eventually
things which is something that many [have] made a priority in life adopted a minimalist lifestyle to keep up the clutter-free Further explaining that zero waste is refusing the excess
unknowingly”, Ms Wu then suggests that Minimalism is centric around appearance of their finished home. He said: “We design a through the curated lifestyle of Minimalism is Ms June
the Japanese concept of ma, which refers to the void or negative space Fong-Attard, 30, founder of sustainable
between things. lifestyle store Trove of Gaia. She says:
“Minimalism and zero waste, they kind of go
This in itself is the very essence of minimalism, where the house is together.”
centered around the space rather than what is in it. “For us, minimal-
ism frees us up from other unnecessary distractions so we can focus on Regardless of what drives one’s choice for
what is really at value such as family,” Ms Wu says. electing the lifestyle, Ms Wu notes that “form
follows function” and the co-existence of both
According to the National Environmental Agency in the aim of waste redusage and an aesthet-
2016, Singapore has generated a total of 7.81 ically pleasing living space essentially
million tonnes of waste, a figure that
rose significantly from the 5.22
million tonnes of waste

5 | LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE | 6

DID YOU KNOW?
Freeganism is rooted in the anti-globalisation
and radical environmental movements popular-
ised in Australia during the mid 1990s.
From 2016 to 2017, *Singapore’s food waste
increased by 6,000 tonnes to 791,000 tonnes.
This equates to the weekly disposal of a 2.5kg
bag of rice by each household in Singapore!
*According to the National Environmental Agency
7 | LIFESTYLE
D
ecked out unassumingly in simple attire and armed
with a headlamp and large bag, financial planner Mr
Daniel Tay, 38, is part of a small community of Singa-
poreans who dumpster dive.
All set to forage in the residential bins near Serene Centre for
valuable finds, he has no idea what he may find. However, his
spirits are up as he has learnt from past expeditions that there
are always treasures to be found in the unlikeliest of places.
Since then, he has amassed a trove of keepsakes, ranging from
a brand new Charles and Keith Wallet to a Louis Vuitton bag.
He does not leave a mess nor does he eke out a living from
his finds. Furthermore, he dumpster dives late at night or in
the wee hours of the morning, ensuring that he does not im-
pede social peace. Yet, many people liken those who dumpster
dive to lowlier versions of the local Karung guni (rag-and-bone
man), who scavenge for discarded items and food to sustain
themselves, viewing them as one and the same.
However, Mr Tay asserts that most dumpster divers are not cash
strapped but rather living by the principles of freeganism, which
advocates a frugal lifestyle through rejecting consumerism and
minimal wastage. With none of the fetters of a struggling in-
come, these people aren’t poor but merely reducing waste.
With affability and sheer truthfulness unbefitting of his slew of
achievements, Mr Tay shared that what started him on freegan-
ism was the pragmatic concern of being financially able.
Although still doubtful whether the lifestyle is self-sustaining,
his incessant worries are for now, alleviated. He has since man-
aged to reduce his yearly household expenses from $30,000
to $16,000.
From whipping up hot pot meals at public events to conducting
dumpster diving hunts to educating the National University of
Singapore’s students about food waste, Mr Tay, the de facto
NAH MIN NING leader of the “Freegan In Singapore” Facebook group, has gar-
investigates why nered over 2,400 members, all within just 12 months. Among
which, over 50 per cent are people aged 13-34.
some Singaporeans
Ms Toh Hui Ran, 23, who works in corporate sustainability and
are swearing by Ms Ng Xin Yi, 30, a design researcher, are two millennials who
this unconventional have joined Mr Tay in dumpster diving, mainly for vegetables.
lifestyle. While getting free items is attractive, Ms Toh alludes that there
is perhaps another reason why this movement has been attract-
ing millennials. With a hint of rebelliousness, she frowned in
disdain, expressing sentiments that Singapore is too sterile
and polished. “Young people … do like subcultures, hipster or
things that are a bit more daring. And dumpster diving is some-
thing that is more underground; you do want to kind of push
against the established system [of obtaining food],” she said.
Often engaging in dumpster diving expeditions organised by Mr
Tay to look for discarded vegetables at Little India and Pasir
Panjang, Ms Ng cites “the eek factor”, from those who are not in
the community, as somewhat off-putting.
Addressing the potential dangers that consuming expired and
dumpster dived food could lead to food poisoning, Ms Ng ac-
knowledged that while some vegetables discarded in the bin
may look slightly grimy, plenty of vegetables discarded in the
bin come in good, intact packaging.
She said: “If something is in the trash, you may think it’s dirty
even if there’s a lot of packaging around it. But most of the time
it [food poisoning] doesn’t happen.” Agreeing that Singapore is
an expensive city to live in, she further explains that it is pre-
cisely because of Singaporeans’ affluence that they can afford
to regard such produce with disfavour.
Proudly proclaiming that he has consumed food that has been
expired for 12 years, Mr Tay
suggested that the greater concern is Singapore’s “sinful” food
waste.
But the group’s practise has raised some health concerns. Ms
Evonne Chow, a food technologist at iBrewery International, a
Singapore-based food and beverage company, says: “Some
packaging material are porous in which the foodborne bacteria
from the dumpster are able to pass through and contaminate
the product.”
Regardless of the stigma, Mr Tay feels that dumpster diving
through freeganism has been a rewarding journey for him.
Highlighting resourcefulness and the community as
his chief assets, he chirps: “It has given me
confidence for the future that even if one
day I’m homeless, broke, and lonely, I
can still be quite happy.”
Rather than presenting fantasised ide-
als of how he thinks this movement
will progress, Mr Tay simply says:
“Just try it and see how much sense it
makes.”
Meanwhile, millennials like Ms Ng and Ms Toh
have bigger dreams to work towards: zero waste.
Ms Toh smiles wistfully, saying: “It would
be nice if the movement could be
redundant and there was no
waste.”
LIFESTYLE | 8
HARAJUKU FASHION:
Showing individuality through outfits
P
astel pink hair. Fluffy pink bow hairband. Exag-
ERICA FOO speaks to Singa- gerated makeup. Contradictory dress shirt with
the word “sick” in Chinese imprinted on it. Girly
porean Harajuku enthusiasts cute themed stockings with devilish monster designs.
about their obsession with the Four-inch platform shoes. When Harajuku fashion en-
thusiast Ms Vanessa Ho Hui Ling, 21, walks down the
Japanese subculture. street in her full Harajuku ensemble, she never fails
to turn heads.
As such, many people constantly mistake her for a co-
splayer. “A lot of people will stare at us and ask us
what character we are cosplaying as, ” Ms Ho recounted
agitatedly.
What Ms Ho and her friends are into is Harajuku
fashion which started during the postwar Allied oc-
cupation of Japan to encourage maximum creativity
freedom; they are not cosplaying as any manga char-
acter. Though both subcultures originate from Japan,
cosplay refers to costume role-playing, the dressing up
of fictional characters, while Harajuku fashion is a reflec-
tion of individuality and personality.
Ng Xin Hui, 19, another Harajuku fashion enthusiast
dressed in a monochrome themed outfit topped with a co-
lourful jacket explained: “I like to see myself as a more
negative person. I don’t really have a very positive outlook
on life and maybe that’s why it reflects the dark themes
and elements of my outfit, explaining why I tend to dress
more pastel goth.”
Harajuku fashion, which is adopted mostly by teens, con-
sists of a vast spectrum of sub-styles, ranging from cutesy
Fairy Kei to dark Gothic Lolita. There are no boundaries
or limits when it comes to Harajuku fashion. Harajuku
fashion enthusiasts dislike being confined by strict rules
or societal norms and usually strive for uniqueness in
their fashion as they like standing out from the crowd.
9 | ART
“I think the [Harajuku fashion] is attention seeking and I’m an attention
seeker, that’s why I wanted to be different,” said Mr Zheng Wei Wen,
21, a student at the Institute of Technical Education and another
Harajuku fashion enthusiast.
Despite gaining international popularity, Harajuku fashion
is still very niche in Singapore. Having 28.2k followers
on Instagram, Zheng Wei Wen mentioned that he has a
global followership base, ranging from Filipinos to
Russians.
Located at Orchard Gateway, Superspace is
one of the few shops left in Singapore that
sells Harajuku fashion. However, due to a
scarce supply and elaborately unique designs,
“be prepared to buy a shirt for $700 [there],”
warned Vanessa.
As such, Vanessa has even started designing her own
Harajuku outfits in an attempt to fully express her
creativity. She has also started an online shop
two years ago, garnering support both lo-
cally and internationally. “I get them
custom printed or manufactured. I
actually design a lot of clothes for
Menhera [a Harajuku sub-style]
right now for my online store,” says
Vanessa.
“Though [Harajuku fashion] is very different
from the norm and not everyone can accept
that, I still love it as I feel that it reflects my
personality of liking to be different. I feel
like it’s more important to dress how I like
rather than just blindly following
trends. This is me,”
says Vanes-
sa.
ART | 10
HEED
THE
HAN
JOANNE MUK meets a group of Hanfu
enthusiasts in Singapore to learn
more about their culture.
D
espite the high cost of each set of Hanfu, Ms Gong
Pan Pan, 21, a civil servant, has avidly collected Han-
fus since 2015 and now boats over 100 in her collec-
tion, each costing at least $600, and that already excludes
the price of all other accessories.
She fell in love with Hanfus after dressing up in it
for fun for her wedding photoshoot. She then even-
tually started purchasing them from online websites.
She makes sure they are as authentic as possible
by referencing historical Chinese books and poems.
Ms Gong wears a simple Hanfu to work every now and
then, stating that it is “very comfortable and great to
wear to buffets because of their loose structure”. How-
ever, this is a very costly hobby. Recently, she has even
bought a handheld fan exorbitantly priced at $1,000 .
Although she has a vast collection that occupies two rooms, Ms
Gong describes herself as not “ritualistic” and only wears the
Hanfu casually for her own enjoyment. Unlike the Singapore
Han Cultural Society, Ms Gong prefers to wear the Hanfu as
a personal aesthetic and is not persistent on normalising the
Hanfu as the traditional Chinese clothing for Singaporeans.
Set up in 2012, the Singapore Han Culture Society is a society
that aims to bring awareness to the Han culture with around
11 | ART
50 members in the society now. The members gather regularly
in their Hanfus to celebrate traditional Chinese festivals, like
Chinese New Year and the Mooncake Festival. They also host
annual Chinese cultural camps. Apart from the well-known Chi-
nese festivals in Singapore, they also hope to popularise the
celebration of other traditional Chinese festivals as well, such
as the Double Ninth Festival or the Winter Solstice Festival.
“We don’t just wear the Hanfus for fun. We celebrate the
culture and we learn more about the history,” says Mr Mi-
chael Jow, 42, president of the Singapore Han Cultural
Society. He is also a firm believer in the Hanfu and seeks
to bring about the revival of this traditional garment.
Hanfus have been around for 2,000 years before 1644,
but was banned from being the traditional Chinese gar-
ment after the Manchurians took over to form the Qing
Dynasty in 1644. The Manchurians then made Cheong-
sams the traditional garment of the Chinese people.
Unlike the Cheongsam which is a one-piece and close-fitting
garment, the Hanfu, of many colours, is typically very loose-fit
and consists of an upper and lower garment with long sleeves,
belts and sashes. The designs of each Hanfu varies based on
one’s social status. Traditionally, the simple Hanfus made of
cotton were usually for common folk, while the luxurious elab-
orate silk ones were saved for the noblemen and aristocrats.
It was the Han Chinese ethnic group who first invented the tradi-
tional Hanfu. Today, Hans still remains the largest ethnic group
in China, with 92 per cent of China’s population being Hans.
Mr Adrian Tong Wei Qiang, 35, who has been a member
of the Singapore Han Cultural Society for five years, stat-
ed that practising the Han culture helps him keep in-touch
with his roots and ancestry. The vice-president of the society,
Mr Lee Chun Hoe, 25, also added that every other ethnicity
has its own traditional clothing, “It looks so beautiful and
I wonder why modern Chinese don’t have this heritage.”
In our modernised world, to Ms Gong and many others,
wearing the Hanfu may not be essential. On the oth-
er hand, to the Singapore Han Cultural Society and its
members, the Hanfu and the Han culture means more.
To Mr Jow, wearing the Hanfu is more than just a hob-
by or a fun experience. “It is not just about experienc-
ing the traditional culture, but also reasserting my own
cultural identity. It’s what I represent,” he emphasised.
Photo by: Gong Pan Pan
ART | 12

PRIMALIA POK tells the story of Hazrin, a CalliGraffiti street
artist in Singapore.
C
onstructed with the distinctive swipes of a
mere artist grasping an aerosol can of paint,
vibrant works of art are born. Every alphabet
is penned precisely with its twists and turns, not ne-
glecting a curved tip as a finishing touch. It is an art-
work of words and phrases harmonising as a single
chaotic, yet beautiful, masterpiece. Kampong Glam,
a haven for art heritage, has become a canvas for
passionate Calligraffiti artists in Singapore.
Hazrin Mohamad, 41, founder of HazWorkz Design,
is just one of the many artists in Singapore who
practise CalliGraffiti. Formed by combining two
words - Calligraphy and Graffiti, Mr Hazrin said that
13 | ART
CalliGraffiti “is a hybrid between calligraphy and graffiti
that started in 2007 by Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman”, an urban
contemporary visual artist from Amsterdam.
On one hand, calligraphy is a form of art that is often
viewed as traditional. On the other hand, graffiti is more
commonly linked to being rebellious, modern and vivid. A
fusion of these two then results in what Hazrin calls a “very
special combination in art”. Mr Hazrin usually does his
artwork in Jawi, “the script used for the Malay language
prior to Romanisation”.
In the past, Singaporeans were not as tolerant towards Mr Hazrin’s artworks. At the start of his career, he received criticism about his street art
from people around him. However, he ignored the naysayers and persisted through the difficult period. Though the biting remarks still upset him,
his determination and passion pushes him till this day, he says: “The fire in me [for Calligraffiti] is still burning bright, so I will keep going.”
However, over the years, public perception of street art has gotten more positive, with Singaporeans perceiving
his work as unique due to it being“vastly different compared to the traditional street art.” Commissioned
work, such as a Haji Lane mural, is now common to him, where he paints murals for shops or their
façade.
For Mr Hazrin, he agrees that the street art scene
in Singapore is a continuous “work in progress”.
There are still many misconceptions of street
art that need to be cleared. Mr Hazrin believes
that it is very important for artists like
himself to “gain recognition from the right
authority” such as the Urban Redevelop-
ment Authority and the National Arts
Council.
“Art is subjective, Singaporeans
should learn to respect the work that
street artists do and not criticise them just
because we choose a different way to express
our art,” remarks Mr Hazrin. He says he will continue
to be a street artist for as long as he can, hoping to
see the day when the public appreciates CalliGraffiti as
an actual art form.
“Art is subjective, Sin-
gaporeans should learn
to respect the work that
street artists do and not
criticise them just because
we choose a different way
to express our art”
- Hazrin Mohamad
ART | 14
 T here is something telling about
Singapore’s indie music scene.
Although it might not be
booming, there have been a striking
number of independent record la-

W
bels popping up within the past few
years. According to Eddino Abdul ith the revival of analogue photography amongst youths, film may finally be able to make a comeback once again locally. In
Hadi, veteran musician and writer today’s digital age, our lives are brimming with smart, instantaneous technology. Yet, there still lingers a growing interest in
for the Straits Times, we are entering this niche but classic hobby. If you’re itching to travel back in time with your snapshots, here are the top five cameras we picked
“a new golden age” of indie music. It is undeniable that Singapore has become a hot bed for collectives of ambitious music out for a jumpstart on your analogue journey!
lovers. Fuelled by their love of indie music, veteran record label KittyWu Records and newcomer Middle Class Cigars are at
the top of the game. The Lomo Kompakt Automat, more familiarly known to many as the LC-A+, is a 35mm Russian com-
pact camera that infamously kickstarted the worldwide Lomography phenomenon we see today.
To celebrate 25 years of the movement guided by the slogan of “No Rules” and “Happy Mistakes”,
MIDDLE CLASS CIGARS Lomography has launched their anniversary edition line of the LOMO LC-A+ cameras. All decked out
in real leather, it even has an anniversary message embossed.
Launched in 2016, Middle Class Cigars is Singapore-based record label that releases reflective music from artists around the
world on tape & digital platforms. “We believe that music is best experienced as accompaniment in isolation,” says Raphael
Ong, co-founder of Middle Class Cigars. The young label’s big dreams seem to be reflected in the unembellished innocent
nature of the indie bands signed to them. Launch yourself into a panoramic world view with the Sprocket
Rocket, the world’s first 35mm panoramic camera! With the
Check out these Middle Class Cigars bands! Sprocket Rocket, it’s all about— well, the sprockets (holes that

1
guide the film into the camera), of course. The camera allows
Subsonic Eye for sprocket-hole photography enthusiasts to get a bang for
Subsonic Eye (pictured above) is an alternative dream pop band from Singapore boasting a sound that combines their buck by exposing the full length of the film, sprockets
catchy guitars and soothing synthesiser. Formed in 2015, they are the youngest band to receive the prestigious Baybeats included, giving photos their unmistakable analogue look.
budding band award.

2 Sobs
With their lo-fi charm and lyrics evoking memories of adolescent daydreams, Sobs is the bedroom pop band to look
out for. Newly formed in 2017, their debut Extended Play Catflap has garnered critical acclaim both locally and overseas.
A cult classic of the early 60s, the Diana camera was a dreamy plastic contraption that produced
radiant, lo-fi pictures. Over the years, Lomography has added new features to the darling such
as two shutter speeds, unlimited multiple exposures, and even a panoramic function. Catch this
medium-format camera in it’s 10th anniversary edition, now flaunting funky blues and reds which
KITTYWU RECORDS accent its retro gold lens.

Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary, Husband and wife duo Errol Tan and Lesley Chew credit Too impatient to wait for your films to be developed? Skip
their unwavering focus on supporting “forward-thinking and DIY-rooted Singaporean musicians” as their the lengthy process entirely with the Lomo’Instant Square!
key to success.From loud and brash post-rock to soft and melancholic instrumental music, it’s Currently the only fully analogue instant camera on the
easy to see why KittyWu Records continues to dominate the local indie scene. market that works with the Fujifilm Instax Square Film, this is
the newest addition to the Lomo’Instant family. Jam packed
Check out these KittyWu Record bands! with stunning features to supplement all your experimental

1
madness needs, it has various functions from multiple
Amateur Takes Control exposures to self-timer. Also, lo and behold it’s bellows design
Fresh from a three-year hiatus, instrumental rock band Amateur Takes Control that allows the camera to fold to one-third of its original size -
is now louder and more abrasive than ever. Building upon the success of their which means it can fit pretty much anywhere.
debut album, You, Me and the Things Left Unsaid, the band continues to release
hard-hitting, emotional music.

2 Monster Cat The La Sardina is a wide-angle camera whose shape is inspired by your humble sardine can.
Despite its unique appearance, the sardine-can inspired gadget offers two easy-to-use focusing
Monstercat (pictured right) channels lush, melodic rock tunes driven by in- settings, a rewind knob and a slew of other improved features. Now available in a plethora of
tense imagery and a fiercely progressive approach to musical paradigms. Formed bright colours and quirky designs, catch one even decked out in a sardine can print.
in 2010, their music has received positive critical responses and saw radio airplay
internationally in regions like Germany and South Africa.
15 | HOBBY HOBBY | 16