The first festival I didn't get to participate in. (That's not saying much, considering there's only 2 festivals to date)

The designer hall is much, much more beautiful compared to last year. I was very inspired, radiated with positive vibes of contagious goodness and inspiration.
100k...
The designers overdid themselves this time. My favourite is the 'Painting With nature: An Everchanging Landscape" by Dimitri Xenakis & Maro Avrabou from France. Its so deceptively simple to set up- monochrome planters and coloured see-through screens, but the effect is so breathtaking. The genius that created this work is hard to say. When you look at the work from different angles, you can see the plants and colours streaked into different hues and tints (thansk to the screens), creating a refreshing palette for the eyes. Yes it got silver (Gold went to Mr Ishihara for his Ryokufu Tei, another wonderful work, but not wonderfully visualised, if I would say.), but I feel that this is one work that has a genius to it, a brillance that outshines the rest. If I would pinpoint this brillance, it would be that it's so accessible to the common folk- everyone could have a garden like this, and it would cost you a bomb. Its not so fancyful and complicated that its physically impossible to implement in the real world (like many of the works in the Hall).
For this I took the most photos at the spot, compared to the others.

The next work of genius that wowed me was "Seeking Shangri-La" by Peter Cheok. First of all, he's a Singaporean designer, thats already something to celebrate. Next, the work eludes a soothing mood created by the set and the rippling water feature above, creating the effect of ruins submerged in water. This effect is so mesmerizing, that when I first saw the work I stood still for 5 minutes, listening to the song that came, the inspiration that spoke to me, and the ripples that reflected off the stones of the ruins. Water, glass, light and convincing stone features come together for a truly ethereal experience. The planting was near perfect- more could be done, but it was good enough for excellence. The planting resembles sea plants and coral feefs, yet they are alive and real. The mood and colours and lighting of this work is extraordinary and its truly worthy of the prize it has gotten (best in show and Gold, Fantasy gardens). If there is one thing I must complain, that would be the fakish stones and was the frame propping the whole work together. But then, the overall look is amazing.

Some other amazing works includes
"Rose of Glendalough" by John Cullen, the whole work is perfectly and spotlessly crafted. It is as if he has magically scooped up the whole place from Ireland and placed it here. the plants look so natural it is as if Gaia herself placed the plants. Mr Cullen did not overlook the backdrop as well- in fact, it was that that impressed me. The back was amazingly done, more so from the experts eye. The laymen can never see the genius that comes from the work. Another plus point is that some of the plants in there are actually tropical, like Frangipani, yet they blended so beautifully into his Ideal.

There was this work by an Indian designer, which is based on the 5 elements, has also made me took notice for the perfection of his work. 5 elements, taking form in 5 floral designs of simple geometrical shapes, with flora, dried and freshly cut laid on the flour in a wavy pattern and makes one feel at one with creation and perfection. It is beautiful because it does not try too hard to do so.

Later on in the day I've managed to chat with Mr Ishihara (with the help of Ms Tamako from Parks as translator). When I asked for tips for aspiring designers like me, he says that the childhood is a good place to look for ideas, and that it is important for me to find my own style.

I've learned much from this trip. Would go again. And again. One again is for work.

How I wish one day I would place my creations here. I believe it shall happen. Mr Ishihara says that he has been in the line for 28 years. I have become 20 for only a while. I believe I'll soon be eligible for such an honour. May Gaia and Fate grow my way ahead.