So for the first assignment of semester 02's Culture & Civilization, we were asked to group ourselves into a group of two and choose one family to research, investigate and interview on. We need to produce 2 A3 boards worth of info with all the info obtained. ( Family tree, timeline, culture & traditions, etc)
Me and Tyan Yiing grouped together and we chose my family to be investigate on. We also need to film and produce a 10 minute long video of the interview.
As it was a paired assignment, we separated the workload equally. I was in charge of the two A3 boards while Tyan Yiing was assigned with the video editing.
The Boards
Family tree & family history timeline
Culture & traditions / interesting facts about my family
The Video
Reflection
When we were first told by the lecturers that we're gonna research on our family and present it on boards, with interview and such, I was extremely excited. I think it is a good start for our culture & civilization subject as in order for one to know more about other cultures and civilizations, one would need to know about their own roots first.
I had a fun time interviewing my grandma and parents. I found out a lot more about my family history and understand well about my family's cultures and traditions.
Throughout this assignment, I am able to think critically and creatively as I need to translate all the info obtained from words into visual graphics. As the 2 boards need to be presented as info-graphic posters, the history timeline needed to be short and precise. We brainstormed and chose to only present what we think best represent my family. I am also able to locate and extract information effectively from the internet regarding the era where my family started and came from. For the interview session, I fully utilized our technology by interviewing through Skype video call as I am from another state and it would be quite hard for me to fly back home to interview with so many assignments dues.
I had a fun time interviewing my grandma and parents. I found out a lot more about my family history and understand well about my family's cultures and traditions.
Throughout this assignment, I am able to think critically and creatively as I need to translate all the info obtained from words into visual graphics. As the 2 boards need to be presented as info-graphic posters, the history timeline needed to be short and precise. We brainstormed and chose to only present what we think best represent my family. I am also able to locate and extract information effectively from the internet regarding the era where my family started and came from. For the interview session, I fully utilized our technology by interviewing through Skype video call as I am from another state and it would be quite hard for me to fly back home to interview with so many assignments dues.
Project 02 Messages from the Past
We were required to form a group of 10 for this assignment. It was divided into 2 parts.
For the first part, we were required to propose and act out a play from a specific civilization. We were assigned with different civilization by drawing lots in class. Our group received China civilization. After receiving our specific civilization, we selected two events for the play based on themes such as archaeology, engineering, social, myth, etc.
We chose social aspect and performed 2 acts. [ Act 01 Selection of Concubines | Act 02 Wedding Ceremony of the Emperor ]
We conducted a thorough research of the characteristics of the events chosen such as the background, the atmosphere of that era, culture & traditions and prepared the clothing, accessories and props before performing the play in class. We were also required to submit a group journal; a hard-copy binned A4 report of all the findings and details of the play on the same day we act.
I participated in Act 01 Selection of Concubines. I am one of the concubines competing whom is the daughter of the general.
Preparation
On the actual day
Group photo
Group Journal
The Video
For the second part, each and everyone of us were required to submit an individual booklet of our own role.
Individual Journal
Reflection
I had a lot of fun while doing this assignment. Although there were countless sleepless nights, this was absolutely the funnest assignment throughout the semester!
I am able to think creatively and outside the box when brainstorming the scripts and creating the props with my group mates. I obtained knowledge and gained interest about the past of different cultures and civilizations which allowed me to learn independently and be intellectually engaged in all the meetings and discussion sessions. I had also learned to understand and mobilize the power of teams as for this assignment, there were a lot to do and very little time but as a team which separated the job-scope equally, we were able to finish the task efficiently.
Project 03 Final Project Web Book
For the final project, we were asked to capture the essence of culture and civilization in a location of our choice and produce a minimum of 20 photos. A theme and concept that is deemed most suitable need to be include in the web book and good documentation skills to be demonstrated through the representation of a series.
I chose to capture Chinese temples in Penang.
I had always love the art found in temples.
The architecture, carvings, ornamentation, even the small little things such as the incense burner, candles, etc could be a form of art which only belong to temples.
Thus, inspiring me to use this as my theme.
The Web Book
Temple Artistry | The Art of Temples
Besides the web book, there were also an exhibition. We were told to choose 5 best photos and present. Below are my 5 chosen photos.
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Reflection
I enjoy doing this assignment a lot. Specially went back to Penang just to complete this assignment. Although some technical issue occur during presentation day which caused me to amend it in such a short period of time, but overall I am quite satisfy with it. But I believe I can create a much more better webbook if it wasn't for that issue.
I need to think carefully about the location and brainstormed about the concept and theme before starting this assignment. I did a lot research about how a web book looks like, the templates, skills, composing technique, etc so that I could understand the technique / ways to allow viewers to have a visual satisfaction while viewing my web book.
Besides that, I've also learned independently and maximized the use of available technologies to complete my web book. For example, a DSLR camera to capture photos; Photoshop to edit and compose the photos & layout; and available social platforms - Issuu to publish the web book; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc to promote and share the web book.
