What is #Metazomia all about? 

What is #Metazomia all about? This word comes from two things, the Metaverse and a metaphorical highland region in Southeast Asia. #Metazomia is a whimsical 360° immersive cinematic experience created by award-winning artist Brian Gothong Tan. 

Created from artificial intelligence and inspired by the adventures of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Tan’s cinematic experience looks at what the future may hold. The result: an epic melding of generative art and motion graphics that invite visitors to surrender to the meditative quality of the images.

Now that you know what #Metazomia is all about, please proceed to your start point and embark on your journey into #Metazomia in Station 1.

Embark on your Journey into #Metazomia in Station 1

There are a few different types of artistic mediums/forms, you can choose to absorb everything on offer, or be selective, or none at all, if you decide to do so. I would like to suggest and encourage you to go up close and personal with all different artworks on display.

Take your time to discover, there is no need to rush 

There are photographs, there are also stories, there are slide films, there is also an interactive art form, all you need to do is to step into the yellow circle, observe the image that appears in front of you. 

Take your time to discover, there is no need to rush.  

Interact and Immerse yourself 

Step out, slowly, cautiously and purposely, and step back into the yellow circle again. What image appears in front of you now? What does the image means to you? What is the meaning and message behind the image that is sent to you?   

Check out the photos, the zines with its visual storytelling stories by Kaylene Tan that accompanies the photos by Brian Gothong Tan. Observe closely, are the photos real? Or are they digital artworks? Or they are something else? 

You might have questions going through your mind right now, seeking answers. Take your time to discover, there is no need to rush.  

Oh wait, before you leave for your next station, there are some notes for you to read, from a fellow traveler on the island nation/world of #Metazomia to another fellow traveler. 

Alright, you are now ready to depart for your next Station.

Follow the Yellow Path into Station 2 

Departing from Station 1, a bright yellow path is waiting for you and calling out to you, the time is now for you to board, follow the yellow path into Station 2 and embark on a wandering and wondering journey with intention to discover the different worlds inside this world.

Take your time to discover, there is no need to rush 

You might be wondering, what are they showing on the four walls? Different cinematic worlds are being shown, you would need more time to watch and understand. Take your time to discover, there is no need to rush.  

Interact and/or Meditate, Immerse into the Visual Narratives 

Walk on the yellow path, or step into the yellow circle, you can sit down too if you want. I would like to invite you and try something different from your usual routines, to interact and/or meditate, immerse into the visual narratives that are played in front of you or around you.

What do you see? How do you feel? Search your innermost feelings, pen it down somewhere, you can also share your thoughts and feelings with fellow travelers to the island nation/world of #Metazomia (before your leave 72-13).

Connecting with #Metazomia 

The Metaverse might still be a whole new strange world for many of us, how can we connect a virtual world with the real world? How is it even possible, what would the Metaverse world be really like?

Connecting with #Metazomia by Brian Gothong Tan, brings you into the Metaverse via a mix of arts form and different mediums. We might not have all the answers to the questions, none of us have the answers as the #Metaverse is still evolving, exploring and transforming.   

There is something at #Metazomia that connected with me deeply, on the subject of AI (Artificial Intelligence) on the arts and creatives sectors. This topic is on my personal projects list for Year 2023 (from both photographer and technology writer perspectives). 

Chatting with Brian on the topic of AI was enlightening and mind-opening, AI is not going to go away, it would probably gain more traction in our daily work and living. Some artists, photographers, creatives are afraid, we can understand. In a nutshell, it’s all about embracing AI not fearing AI, and how you can adopt, adapt and incorporate them in your artistic and creative workflows. 

#Metazomia by Brian Gothong Tan is an excellent artistic showcase and eye-opener into the world of Metaverse and AI combining together.  

#MetaZomia by Brian Gothong Tan

Exhibition Dates: 2nd to 20th January 2023 (Closed on 9th and 16th January)

Venue: 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 239007

Ticketing Information:

Available at Peatix: bit.ly/MetazomiaTicketing 

Available at Klook: bit.ly/MetazomiaKlook 

Usual price: $23 per pax

Special prices to #Metazomia! 

$20 per pax (Use Promo Code: META20)

$18 per pax for groups of 4 and above (META18 – before 11th January 2023)

$15 per pax for students/NSFs/seniors (META15)

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ARTAVERSE 1.0 (Hong Kong) took place in June 2022, they have successfully allowed visitors to experience an all-immersive exhibition. The event facilitated the exploration of multifarious interesting activities to interact with digital art exhibits, explore the blend of art and technology. The ARTAVERSE team is established by Right Grace Entertainment, Yiu Wing Live Co.Ltd and Bold Asia in 2022. ARTAVERSE, the first/largest outdoor NFT x Local Art Exhibition was hosted for the first time in June 2022, and is officially sponsored by Mastercard, whilst receiving strong support from more than 100 partners.

For ARTAVERSE 2.0 (Singapore) happening from 5th to 9th October 2022 in Marina Bay Sands, ARTAVERSE is officially partnering with local talent XD Media as co-organiser along with Dify and Emerge eSports as their Stage an Media partner. Through all these collaborations with local expertise, these would enable the ARTAVERSE 2.0 (Singapore) event to have a success level relative to the earlier ARTAVERSE 1.0 (Hong Kong) event which saw over 50,000 people in attendance.

Art x Tech @ ARTAVERSE

The core theme on ARTAVERSE is Art x Tech, the collaboration between Art and Technology, along with all its subsets. The Art-Tech aspect of the exhibition would broaden the focal point to include along Music related art, Voxel art, Local Art, Virtual economy and more. This would also assist in promoting the seamless integration between Art and Technology and also inspire more members of public to join along this evolution into the Art x Tech sphere. 

Through ARTAVERSE, the team also wishes to encourage a new generation of art fans and lovers to not only understand and comprehend the traditional and digital art – but also to educate them on the concept of Art appreciation and collection, even to the extent of creating some of these memorable art pieces. 

This seamless showcase of collaborations between Art and Tech, through ARTAVERSE, would also allow and enable the creation of a new community of fans – one that encompasses both the Artistic and the Technological aspect. This would open up a plethora of new opportunities to display the prowess of both sectors. 

ARTAVERSE 2.0 (Singapore)

For the Arts, NFT, photographers, creatives, Web3.0, entertainment and digital media fans in Singapore, an exciting list of programs and activities awaits you! ARTAVERSE Singapore initiative is three-pronged: Exhibition, Concert and EDM Party, catering to the local Singapore society.

Youngsters in Singapore into Arts x Technology would love this! These areas of focus will span across 4 days, from 11am to 3am, aptly suited toward the youngsters in recent times. The novel EDM Party will share similarities to ARTAVERSE prior concerts while having an added twist. With nightlife having finally returned to pre-COVID days, people will be able to let loose while interacting with exciting artworks during ARTAVERSE snazzy events. 

Spread this news to Arts x Technology friends!

This would be an ideal time for me to launch and go more in-depth into my NFT photography, NFT, digital arts adventure, a complement of Arts x Technology! Do spread this news to your fellow Web3.0, photographers, NFT, creatives and arts friends in Singapore!

For more information on ARTAVERSE, please visit

Website: https://www.artaverse.asia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArtaverseAsia/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artaverse.asia/ 

* Information and picture courtesy of ARTAVERSE and XD Media *

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The month of January always seem to be hectic since it’s a short turnaround time from Christmas weekend to New Year weekend, followed by 4 more weeks to Chinese New Year festive holiday. It takes a while to get up to speed while there were ongoing adjustments, adapting and settling into new gig/role, on top of getting my business back on track.  

Round Up Jan 2022 (Photography and Travel)

Photography (Business)

I am working on gaining more traction, getting my business back on track after transiting and switching my photography services genres last year. 

Photography (Personal)

The month of January is like a month of arts, culture and heritage for me. I covered local Singapore artists in action, artist Yip Yew Chong and his mural paintings, Wei from Very Small Exhibition/Bring Love Everywhere and LiteWerkz at Light to Night Festival 2022.  

Meanwhile, I am planning to get some new photographer profile shoot for Year 2022, need a new banner cover photo for my social media pages and websites as well. 

In the year 2022, I am planning to do more personalised photography projects with fellow local artists from other creatives, other interest areas include history, heritage and culture documentation and nature/green spaces. 

NFT Photography 

This is an area that I am keen in, still learning and exploring. There are quite a lot of discussions on the NFT field, both pros and cons. I am reading both sides of the NFT equation, I believe in its potential and future prospects. I would be doing more research before embarking on this platform  and share more updates on my NFT photography journey along the way. 

Videography/Vlogging/Filmmaking

I am learning and developing this field, on a personal basis to produce my own videos/short films, this would be crucial and important for my social media marketing gigs as well. 

Travel – Explore My Own Backyard 

While we are waiting for international travel to open up more, in a safer and less restrictive manner, I shall continue to explore my own backyard. I would start doing documentation and photography works again on a few nature/green spaces since the month of January was taken up by arts, culture and heritage.   

Short Break for CNY 2022

I am planning to take a short break for CNY 2022 from my photography and travel media news coverage, content creation and writing. Do check out my Round Up Jan 2022 for my (Technology and Business) segment too!

Even though I am not publishing content and articles, that does’t mean I am having a holiday. I would take this time to start off on some of my photography projects, product shoot, editing photos from a recent assignment and finishing up my photography therapy zine and playbook (editing and finally layout).

Wishing all a Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2022, good health, happiness, luck and prosperity in the Year of the Tiger! 

May the Year of the  Tiger be the year whereby we can truly and surely lift ourselves up from this global pandemic situation and embark on a route to economic recovery and a more normal way of living. 

The post Round Up Jan 2022 and Short Break for CNY 2022 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 3rd year writing a Yearly Theme (you can check out my 2020 Yearly Theme and 2021 Yearly Theme), an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries. I also published a Yearly Theme 2022 (Technology, Business and Personal) on my other website TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog. 

Let me introduce my Yearly Theme 2022 for my photography and travel: “Onward”.

Theme for Year 2022 (Photography and Travel) – Onward

Onward – What is the reason behind this theme?

Why “Onward”? This is actually my alma mater school motto. Let me introduce my alma mater, Gan Eng Seng School (founded in 1885), I am also an old boy from the Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group (founded in 1922) where I spent some of my best and fun years learning Scouting skills, knowledge, in the the great outdoors, life skills and camaraderie. 

Dragon Scout Group (DSG) is celebrating its centenary milestone in Year 2022, this is no mean feat! The DSG extended family is going to celebrate DSG100 Years in Scouting! 

Onward – Strive forward as we work our way out from this ongoing global pandemic mess, it’s not just an economic and financial crisis, the world is facing other crisis in the areas of healthcare, mental health, emotional health, psychological and sociological issues.

The whole world is trying its best to move forward, with setbacks and hiccups that are going to be a common sight for this year 2022. Hopefully, our lessons learnt in Year 2020 and 2021 would come in handy for us as the world move Onward in the journey to recovery. Let’s hope the world can really start to see the true light at the end of the tunnel. 

Photography – Goals and Plans

This is not the usual way of doing goal settings that you would normally learn or see in your job/training. What I am doing is a bit of a hybrid format sharing of my goals and plans for my photography segment. 

Photography (Business)

Year 2021 provided me huge business lessons, adapting, pivoting and changing my commercial photography services portfolio. It’s not immediate, taking a bit longer than I am expected. In this Year 2022, I hope to grow those few segments below in a very competitive field, through my networks and connections. 

– Portraiture: Individual / Family / Corporate 

– Pre-Wedding/AD wedding 

NFT/Digital Arts

A new segment that I am entering into, I mentioned about this in Q4 2021. This is a field that I would be threading with caution while optimistic on its potential and viability for creatives such as photographers like myself. 

Digital Marketing + Social Media Marketing + Photography + Videography 

A digital agency or social media agency format of doing business, going to work/pitch for campaigns/projects and commissioned work. Although I established TGH Digital Studio in 2021, I wasn’t able to kickstart it properly, the time is now.

Year 2022 also marks the start of TGH Digital Studio with a new gig in the food industry. Hope this paves the way for further opportunities in other industries such as travel, tourism and hospitality,  as well as heritage, history and culture.

Photography (Personal/Leisure)

Away from my business/commercial photography, I must, and I need my time and space for my personal photography and leisure/fun photography. In Year 2022, I have some ideas and plans for my personal photography, videography and creative projects.

New photographer profile photos as well as new photographer in action theme shoots are on my plans too. 

If you are not a good photographer or find something missing in your photos you can always rely on some travel photograph editing to enhance your photos.

Personal projects 

– Complement and support my alma mater DSG100 Years in Scouting celebrations

– A new zine or a new photography book? Or both? 

– Building up my videography/filmmaking for both personal and commercial segments. Follow my YouTube channel for more updates on this segment!  

Travel – Goals and Plans

We all miss our travels, whether it’s to short-haul or long haul destinations. This ongoing global pandemic has thrown the world travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries under the bus for a very prolonged time, and maybe 1-2 more years of downtime. 

International 

I have no plans for now, I would review this in Q3 2022, keeping my fingers crossed. I am just being cautious, I am also not setting any expectations, I don’t wish to be badly disappointed  and get hurt again. 

When can we restart tourism, I am looking into this area, networking and chatting with travel and tourism networks of friends around the world, with a follow up on this area in my 3rd instalment article on the topic of “Restart Tourism”. 

This quote, shared with me by Sonja, one of the co-hosts of TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) Chat community every Tuesday, that “Travel can be a privilege”. During this ongoing global pandemic situation, it’s even more evident and true. 

Domestic / Local / Explore your own backyard 

Since traveling out for a holiday still has its challenges, fears, concerns and restrictions. This is actually a good time to explore your own backyard again for me. I am going to continue re-exploring my local neighbourhoods, with an emphasis on green spaces / places that might/will be gone soon.

I always have a strong interest and passion in those fields, documenting the changes and losses over time due to changes in national development, growth and renewal.  

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022. After some harsh lessons from Year 2021, I decided to be cautious, not fearful, be brave, Be Prepared, ready to take on more challenges, hiccups and changes as I trek my way Onward in Year 2022. 

I really hope this Year 2022 would truly be the year where we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. 

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