Vedasri Siddamsetty

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Living it up .

  • The Illusionists

    The Mentalist

    The Escapist

    The Gentleman

    The Anti-Conjurer

    The Trickster

    and The Grand Illusionist

    Oh, what a team they make. From cutting out their head, to making a station-wagon disappear, from levitating bodies to multiplying birds and balls, from chewing ion razors to surviving Houdini’s predicament. They do it all. And with them is a lovely band playing to the que.

    The Marina Bay Sands theatre impresses, one time more. The last time the Wicked was completely delightful, and left a very high benchmark.

    From watching magic shows as a kid in birthday parties, Ive always wondered how they do it. Always tried to catch the trick like they say. Watching, “Secrets of the Greatest Magicians” on Star World only just honed my skills. While watching the Illusionists show I kept waiting for moments that would break the puzzle. But the illusionists are so darn good that the secret completely escapes my eye. Its a good thing though, cause then you believe in wonder, and are left amazed, in the true sense of the word.

    The mentalist claims to be a mind reader. Now how true that is questionable, but as long as his act is on its entertaining. The audience is engaged as one after the other he invites real people into the tricks. Tifan is not a common name I agree, for him to know.

    The escapist, brought me to have pity. But attempting Houdini’s challenge was brave I should say. Two and a half minutes under water, hanging upside down with the wrista and ankles tied, and trying to break free. Well thats a whole lot of things getting done those very minutes.

    The gentleman, yeah. Thats when I decided to take my forty winks. Birds and all, very nice. Presley’s music, very nice. But he really reminded me of a magician at a childhood birthday party. Like Yawn! really. The pretty birds kept fluttering. But those didnt leave a mark.

    The Anti-conjurer, yeah the goth guy. Eating razors, a total of 8, slicing his throat all to some eerily cutesie music. The Marilyn Manson part was good. Quite dramatic.

    The Trickster, yeah he’s the one. The joker in the series. But full marks to his tricks. The best is when he gets a man onto the stage and starts the drama. Tricking the poor guy off his belongings and doing it without his knowledge, ofcourse. His last act was so ridiculously funny. Tears of joy.

    The Grand-illusionist. Its all for the drama. This guy made me want to believe my eyes, want to believe in magic. Sheer awesomeness. What with the girl levitating and all. His acts were undoubtedly the finest. And nothing gave away. Absolutely nothing.

    Again, had my way, there would be gazillion pictures of the show. But then my phone was in great danger of being confiscated! So just a few =)

    P.S. for those who are yet to see it, believe me I haven’t spoilt a thing!

  • Biophilia

    Love or intense liking is “philia” while fear, the opposite of love is “phobia”. And from the construction of the word, Biophilia is love for nature.

    Apparently we only save what we love. Human Psychology.

    This discovery has caused the green crusade to take a rebirth. What with the ever dwindling resources of the planet. And this time nature needs all the saving that it can get.

    In cities, in our urban cocoons we assume that nature is the forest, the lush jungles, something that we would love to travel to, we would love to camp in, a distant thought. It is estimated that when asked to think of  a perfect setting, about 80% people imagine a sunset on a beach, dewy temperate forests or starry nights. All of these are attributed to perfectly natural settings. While all of it is good, in fact great, its time to reconsider exhibiting our  love for nature on a more regular basis, on a more neighborhood level. Tim Beatley, suggests that cities be planned to incorporate bio-scapes, natural sound-scapes and talks of a community that can name fauna rather than logos of companies.  As architecture and the world nose-dive into eco-technology, whether bio-fuels or green-roofs, jute fabric or recycled paper a macro-framework is beginning to be established. But like they say, love cannot be forced upon. The micro-framework then becomes extremely important. The access to parks, neighborhood gardens, understanding the local species, gardening on a micro-level as an everyday event makes a huge contribution in saving the near extinct flora and fauna. With interest often comes the economics. Helsinki, London, New York, Singapore, Oslo are just half of the number of cities that are turning biophilic.

    The Swiss know it best when it comes to the love of nature. The pristine countryside tells a volume about their quality of life. Lets get a leaf off their book. Lets vow to spend more time in the bliss of the green, outdoors, and look out for the stars in the sky.  While we are at it lets try naming at least a couple of trees, birds and butterflies. This Valentine’s day, lets give our fragile planet little tender, loving care!

  • Architectural Escapades #1 – Gardens By the Bay

    Yeah, yeah. So apart from world views, travels and fun stuff, this new year one of my resolutions is to find focus in architecture. Well some focus atleast. So a new series follows suit, its aptly called Escapades! Cause like art, literature and traveling it fuels the tendency of escapism.

    Unfortunately am not going to be sharing any of the pictures I shot on the trip, that am allowed to do only in June, once it opens. Oh well, I would like to honor the COO’s word. 🙂

    Right so, the Gardens by the Bay.

    When Singapore began planning its new downtown, south of Marina Bay, the policy-makers decided on more ecological planning. Therefore the 100 hectare reclaimed land doesnt follow the motto “garden city” but resolves to “city in the garden”. Whatever the idea, the execution is darn wonderful. This elaborate garden sits in what now looks like a battlefield (read construction site) with innumerable cranes. The gardens are still under construction and comprise of 2 glass-domed conservatories apart from the lush landscaping that are suited to its location. The glass-domed conservatories house Mediterranean gardens and Rainforest gardens. Both spell-binding. The glass-domed conservatories have a grid locking 3000 pieces of glass that are 4 sqm each, done using strategic parametric modelling.

    It would be unreal for me to remember the names of all the plants in there. But the 400-yr old Olive trees, the Baobabs with their lofty trunks, the palms from Peru, the Cacti, the aloeveras truly left an impression. The conservatory houses restaurants and banquet spaces that are pleasantly and intelligently tucked behind or between the fauna. The parametrically designed glass dome opens up in places and is also shaded. The Mediterranean dome is maintained at the Mediterranean clime which is such a blessing. The cool, dry atmosphere makes one enjoy the flowers more! The cloud garden as is the rainforest garden called has a 30 m waterfall and a misty clime. Oh so wonderful too. Both of these run on Biomass energy and are carbon neutral in their running. I suspect their ecological footprint is not so marvelous though. One look at the service areas, I was reminded of the Airport service area. Tons of pipes, chilled water, fire hydrants, you name it and its in there. Did not look as ecological down under!

    Anyway cynicism takes one nowhere. The bright-side is that the entire conservatory is cooled in what can be described by a smart fashion. As thermal chimneys suck up hot air along the roof, chilled water pipes run through the floor keeping surface temperatures low. Besides the air inside the conservatory is stratified and cooled only in areas that need to be cooled. With an all glass roof and absolutely no columns the light quality is superb. The plants need the extra sunlight! And then the conservatories are located at the waterfront. Which guarantees more sunlight reach, at least better than a neighborhood of the tall, taller and tallest buildings. Located next to the reservoir/river water is directed into the garden precinct to make the dragon lake, it looks pretty majestic on the master plan. The gardens outside the two conservatories are spectacular too, they are designed as a large public park with local and regional flavors.

    The COO specifically mentioned that the idea was to have a sustainable cycle in the process, or the way of thinking. Carbon-neutrality of the domes are probably their biggest asset. As I put aside the sustainability manifesto I couldn’t help but marvel at the engineering feat accomplished. Singapore’s done it again. Another tourist attraction for sure.

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    P.S. I put in some pics that are authorized for sharing, just to prevent stifled yawns =)

     

  • Bus-(cri)d(es)

    When the Bus stops on the famed Singapore public transport system.


  • Vanda Miss Joaquim

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    A sudden trip to the Botanical Gardens gave that much needed tryst with nature. The variety of species and the brilliant landscape design ensures that one leaves Singapore far far behind. The blissful solitude like they say was intermittently broken by kids running around or Tai Chi gurus leading a group expertly. The positive vibes in abundance!

    In the garden is a very special enclosure that exhibits the nation’s favorite genre of flowers, the Orchids! The species are seen all over this lush humid island. Some peeking off a lonely balcony while other growing in esteemed gardens or even more being curated here. In all shapes and sizes, in all colors and textures.

    Here was also the very pretty Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore. The stiff upper-lippers call it the Agnes Joaquim.

    Inspired, I took to the brush and did a lil something of my own.

  • San Francisco International Terminal 2

    Designed by Gensler Architects, the terminal 2 of the San Francisco International Airport is charming. Its dazzling, sustainable and so pretty.

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    The soft lines and the extensive natural light impress.

  • My Top Ten in Architecture

    Of all the built structures in the world, there are a few favorites. This post is to do with all those that make it in my list.

    10. The British Museum – The Genius of Foster.


    9. The Sydney Opera House – The first building that I opted to write an essay on. The sails are intriguing, and the location is terrific.

    8. The Empire State Building – No skyscraper can match the utter elegance of this one. The Chrysler comes close though.

    7. St Peters Basilica – At the St Peters Basilica, under Michelango’s genius one tends to believe in God. In saints, in all else. Rose windows or not.

    6. The Colosseum – When one sees the picture of this stadia as it was when built, one will not believe. It looks better when weathered. Just like a scar on a person supposedly adds character.

    5. The Taj Mahal – The monument of love, of beauty, of everything that is India. The inscriptions, the inlay work and the wondrous squinches. Wah Taj, really.

    4. The Louvre – This is I.M.Pei’s brilliance in flesh and blood. One can spend days, years lost in the Louvre. Not just in the art, but in the Louvre.

    3. The Reichstag – The glass structure atop the Reichstag is what amazes. Genius. Simply.

    2. The Eiffel Tower – So intricate yet so strong. And the best part? Provides that Oh! so spectacular view of Paris.

    1. The Pantheon – Architectural brilliance in my opinion. The occulus, the dome. Simple geometry of a circle, square and triangle merged in accordance with the golden ratio.


    P.s the list was quite hard to compile as its not exhaustive. Still room for the leaning tower of Pisa, the Guggenheim Museum, the Tate Modern, the Falling waters, the Wall-house, the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the Angkor Wat, Machchu Pichchu, the art-science museum and lots more.

  • December time

    Under dim lights

    of hazy sights

    hands entwined

    two souls lined

     

    Rain pelts forth

    it does not stop

    hollow wind gnaws

    an bites with might

     

    Its cold and bitter

    under misty nights

    but under it all

    is a charming knight

     

    Speaking of cheer

    and banishing fear

    bringing joy sublime

    with rickety rhyme

     

    Singing aloud

    and springing shine

    hopping around

    spreading dime

     

    Wondrous lines

    an endless night

    starry signs

    its december time!

  • Archxplore

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    A letterhead, Monogram and visiting card for the organization ‘Archxplore’

  • The Elephant Parade

    With over 80% of the Asian Elephant population diminished, its time to take to the Elephant cause; mostly because this mighty intelligent and adorable animal needs some support!

    The Elephant Parade is an initiative by several countries that include The Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain and Singapore. In a bid to put the Asian elephant into the limelight artists from all over the world have vividly conceived intepretations of the very subtle grey animal. Once painted these art pieces are to be auctioned by Sothebys while several smaller replicas that are each handpainted get to be purchased. Visiting the Elephant Parade in Singapore I’ve chosen my favorites! Now, say how about you?!

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    P.s. Do write in to me if you want the postcards, to make your own elephant parade art! It’s on the house =)

    Also for more info check out –  http://elephantparade.com/

  • English!

  • Poetry

     

     Poetry by Tomas Transtromer

    Under Pressure

    The blue sky’s engine-drone is deafening.
    We’re living here on a shuddering work-site
    where the ocean depths can suddenly open up –
    shells and telephones hiss.

    You can see beauty only from the side, hastily,
    The dense grain on the field, many colours in a yellow stream.
    The restless shadows in my head are drawn there.
    They want to creep into the grain and turn to gold.

    Darkness falls. At midnight I go to bed.
    The smaller boat puts out from the larger boat.
    You are alone on the water.
    Societty’s dark hull drifts further and further away.

    By

    The Nobel Prize in Literature 2011

    Tomas Tranströmer