Look at the image above, does it look like a cupcake you’d like to eat? At first glance the colours may give the impression of a scrumptious cake you’d find at a party. But take a close look at the details. Observe the main cake, what’s inside the icing and what are the elements decorating it.
It is a digital artwork created by Lilly Friedeberg @elfriede_s
What do you think the image is about?
Lilly Friedeberg is making a visual commentary about the danger of eating too much sugar. Did you notice the body of the cupcake is actually a snake, the icing has eyeballs in it, and the cherry on top is actually a bomb? Some foods contain hidden sugars and other harmful ingredients such as colourings and preservatives that we are not even aware of.
Wally Funk fulfilled her dream of travelling to space at the grand age of 82. “Nothing has ever gotten in my way,” Wally said. To complete this crossword, read her story on page 8, as well as “Billionaires blast off on space adventures” on page 1 of the What’s Up July issue.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Can’t see all the clues? Just point at the Across or Down list and scroll down to read the rest of the clues.
When was the last time you spent time truly observing your surroundings, the tiny details of an object? Observation is an important skill for everyone from designers to lawyers and doctors. It’s a skill we need to practise.
Here are 3 simple steps to help you become more observant and get better at understanding images like the one above.
Step 1: Look
Start with the most basic: what medium or material is it – a photograph, an object, a painting, a drawing, digital art? The materials, style and approach, feed directly into the overall feel and meaning of the work. This digital artwork by Australian-born Yeah Yeah Chloe was made in 2017 and is called ‘Drowning’.
Step 2: See
Looking is about literally describing what is in front of you, while seeing is about applying meaning to it. This artwork combines two icons or symbols: drowning hands waving for help and an smartphone with a blue screen that looks like water.
Step 3: Think
Think about possible meanings. It’s not about finding the “right answers”, but about understanding what the artist is trying to say.
Context is important. Yeah Yeah Chloe releases her work through Instagram and is known for her colourful pop-art style that often combine unrelated objects to make a social commentary. Yeah Yeah Chloe is making a visual commentary about how smart devices can overwhelm you, like drowning.
AH-HA!
This satisfying feeling happens when you look at an image, deconstruct it and understand it.
– By Tanya Wilson
“HOW TO USE YOUR EYES” is a What’s Up series created by our friends at EYEYAH!
Our June issue has a story about a miniature kampong maker. Read it and then try this crossword based on the story.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Can’t see all the clues? Just point at the Across or Down list and scroll down to read the rest of the clues.
Is it okay to watch wild animals perform tricks at a show? To find out, read Stories 8A to 8C – “No more tricks!”, “RWS and dolphins”, and “Should wildlife be in captivity”. These three stories are about how we can treat wildlife better.
Complete this crossword based on the stories. Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Can’t see all the clues? Just point at the Across or Down list and scroll down to read the rest of the clues.
Our April issue’s cover story reports on an important archaeological discovery in Egypt. Read it and then try this crossword based on the story.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Our March issue tells us about the on-going tensions between the military and the people of Myanmar. Read “People of Myanmar want the army to give their country back” (page 1, What’s Up March 2021). Then, try this crossword based on the story.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
You have read make-belief stories about alien invasions. Now, read about real-life invasions by hairy crabs and othervcreatures in the story “Hairy crabs: meal or menace?” (page 21, What’s Up January 2020). Try completing this crossword to find out how much you have learnt.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Our September issue reported on the exciting mission to explore Mars with a robotic rover. After reading it, try this crossword. Don’t worry, finding the answers will be easier than finding life on another planet!
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
July and August are exciting months in Singapore. We had GE2020 in July and now it is time to celebrate National Day. At the same time, we are still working hard to cope with COVID-19. Try our NDP2020 Crossword to find out how much you know about all three.
Type your answers into the boxes. If your word turns green, it means you got it right. If it turns red, you need to try again: you can type over the previous word you entered.
Can’t see all the clues? Just point at the Across or Down list and scroll down to read the rest of the clues.
