UMBRELLA: IMAGE of a CITY'S STYLE

（Photo Courtesy: Eric Chavet *top; Katerina Vorvi *bottom）

According to the champion and researcher of cultural creative industries in Malaysia, Dr Tan Beng Huat, who is also a fellow member of the renowned Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM), the “character” of a city is defined by its awareness, attitude, style and philosophy it believes in.

It seems no issue in understanding the awareness, attitude or philosophy of a city.

For instance, in Berlin, every Berliner follows traffic light; green you go, orange and red you stop, whether it is 3 in the morning or in the afternoon, for men or vehicles.

Your car just has to stop right in front of red light, even when there is no car coming from the other side in midnight.

(Photo Courtesy: Samuel kreuzer *top; Olah Laszlo Tibor *middle/bottom）

It is obvious, all Germans “aware” or “appreciate” how important it is to be law-abiding. It is part of their disciplines, which often translate into the reliable quality of their manufacture goods such as cars, machineries and electronics.

But, what is style? To be precise, the style of a city? and how does it shape the “character” of a place?

To me, it is simple. Style is defined by the mental image we hold for a city. When I travel to a place, there are usually a few things I would first observe.

Umbrella is one of them. Isn’t it strange enough?

（Photo Courtesy: 2006 *top; Misha Kaklakov *middle; Diana Tula *bottom）

The way people face the weather; how do they go through rain, thunderstorm or hot sun, reflects their contentment or dissatisfaction toward the life in that city.

Are they elegant or in a hush; bitter-faced or look into the sky with a smile?

When most people in that place hold the umbrellas and walk with poise, the scenery can be contagious. We will say to ourselves that, I would like to be part of this city.

On the contrary, when most people are sour-looking, and rush through the weather, you know, how bad, people are not happy at all here!

The style of a city constitutes its attractiveness. With imagination and innovation, the cultural creative activists can help shape peoples’ mental picture towards a city. However, the policy makers must first have the concept of how to make life easier for their citizens.

（Photo Courtesy: Julia Drobonova *top; Irina Klimenko *bottom）

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Comment by 馬來西亞微電影實驗室 Micro Movie Lab on September 16, 2011 at 1:28am: 真好，星期五了。周末二日，是我歇下匆匆行腳的時刻。我什麼都不管啦，沉浸在美好的攝影中，我的靈魂去了很遠的地方，尋遍天下，就為了你那傘下的笑臉。

Comment by iki kia kiak on June 30, 2011 at 10:08pm: Cooooool－－－

Comment by 百万主播 on June 28, 2011 at 7:16pm: We have Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, we can in fact to have vibrant festivals every week to stimulate the local economy, and help increase the family income of our poor folks.

Comment by 沒答案也好 on June 28, 2011 at 3:38pm: I enjoy this article, looks like I am watching a professional photo exhibition. It is a creative idea, why not we assign part of iconada's fuction to web exhibition hall? No Agency you can organize another exhibition of Umbrella, I'm sure there are many many more good photo of umbrella out there, highlight the photographers to us, I personally like to be their fan.

Comment by Bleach on June 22, 2011 at 1:11pm: Nice Photo, funny yet interesting point of view. Agree with the last comment that, I really love those umbrellas.

Comment by 非常灑狗血 on June 22, 2011 at 12:24pm: Thinking to have umbrella collection as a hobby.

Comment by 馬來西亞微電影實驗室 Micro Movie Lab on June 12, 2011 at 3:10pm: No Agency, this is a wonderful work we are looking for. In the internet world, there many many good photos by very very outstanding photographers. We need to organize their creativity and interpret them in a new perspective. And, I should say you have brought us a good angle of looking at a city. Happy to meet all these great works and your remarkable job. ICONADA is looking toward to have more of your contribution. Thank you.

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愛墾網是文化創意人的窩;自2009年7月以來，一直在挺文化創意人和他們的創作、珍藏。As home to the cultural creative community, iconada.tv supports creators since July, 2009.