Project Proxima

The world, stunned by our first contact, is set on the brink of nuclear war, when the message is misintepreted and manipulated to serve mankind’s vile nature. A linguist races against time to translate the message and steer humanity from destroying themselves. The Space Race died 3 decades ago and with it, the public imagination. Project Proxima attempts to reinvigorate the passion for space exploration. The search for ET has always piqued our interest. From the mass hysteria of The War of the Worlds to the claustrophobia of Alien, the prospects of alien lifeforms has no doubt, kept us on the edge of our seats. Themes of astrophysics, communication and humanity are explored using an imagined dialogue between us and extra-terrestrial beings from our neighboring star system, Proxima Centauri.

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Project Proxima

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Project Proxima

Project Proxima is the decryption, translation, and study of photometric messages from an extra-terrestrial civilisation in the Proxima Centauri System, the closest to our Sun. This facilitates communication between mankind and our neighrbor 4.47 lightyears away.

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Project Proxima

Low on options, resources and time, the International Commission devises an ingenious and dead simple way of emitting a comparable energy output we had observed from Proxima Centauri. Well, here's the plan: We humans sure love to stockpile on nukes ey? Modify them to emit the light spectrum that we want. Send them into space, so that our atmosphere does not interfere with the light transmission. Put them at the right altitude and then BOOOM! No gigantic lasers, No costly electricity bill, get rid of our nukes at the same time! I'm not kidding.

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Project Proxima

This is a set of vocabulary to guide the celestial dialogue, based on our common understanding of physics, metaphysics and mathematics, the universal constants. The language is based on the Arecibo message, designed by physicist Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and fellow scientists.The Binary message was transmitted in 1974, from the powerful Arecibo Dish Array in Puerto Rico. I adapted it into a more direct and visual form, using the same 73 X 23 grid, in which the nukes will be coordinated to denotate. Nuclear fusion = Emission of light = dots on the imaginary 73X23 Grid.

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Project Proxima

This is a set of dialogues,for the purpose of human comprehension. The language relies on a form of universal sign language that can be best compared to frantic hand waving between two people who has not a single clue about each other's languages. But it works most of the times. For example, shouting in a conversation suggests an emphasis. Denoting a bigger nuke in space, emitting more energy, also suggests an emphasis.

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KOPE Fest

One man’s trash, Another man’s treasure. KOPE Fest is an exhibition to showcase what can be done using little resources and skills. The interactive nature allows people of varied ages to have a haptic experience. Living in Singapore’s fast conveniences and exorbitant mercantile, we often take for granted what treasures lie beneath our HDB. By creating a series of engaging assemblages out of salvaged material, I aim to spur youth imagination and educate The public about prudency and resourcefulness. using these objects as posters, I also aim to explore unconventional mediums for advertising

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Research is the cornerstone of every project and should never be a desk job. It is crucial to engage your audience at the ground level. Statistics alone, cannot paint the whole picture.

When coming up with ideas, one should conduct research on a wide area of knowledge. Don’t shy away from something fringe or unusual, who knows your next eureka might come from Rick and Morty.

My approach is to be cynical and pragmatic.
Idealism is a luxury and in reality, we don’t always get what we want.

I believe the designer should find passion in creative problem solving, and not let their comfort zone inhibit creativity.

Therefore, it is crucial that one compartmentalise personal works from commercial works. However, that does not mean that we should bend to the winds of establishment. I believe that the designer is in a very unique position as a voice.

We have the tools and ability to change public perception and spark imagination. This responsibility should not be flaunted, nor should it be wasted.

Potentials are endless as long as we keep our minds open. New techniques and knowledge will continue to hone our minds and sharpen our voices.