The Bangkok Book 4 / 曼谷之書 4

設計的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Design

曼谷市中心每一個空中輕軌站都有一個以上的百貨公司，至於最中心的一級戰區則是百貨公司林立。雖然商業氣味濃厚，但每個系列的商場都有強烈的設計風格，例如奇隆站的天橋圍欄有一連串的平面設計，給我許多靈感。

Along each BTS station is at least one department store while there is more than one mall next to the most crowded stations. Despite the commercialized feel, I have to say that each series impresses me with their distinctive design style. For example, the graphic design decorating the overpass that connects Chit Lom and Siam stations give me ample inspirations. 

        百貨公司內的這些圖像除了視覺上很討喜外，也傳播很正面的生命訊息。

     The images in the mall are not only pleasing to the eye but also convey very positive messages about life. 

        暹羅中心的廁所很有意思！

     The graphic design in Siam Center makes it a joy to go to the restroom! 

        Emporium系列從捷運站就開始用文字和圖像作宣傳，其實看久了會被感動到喔！我不知不覺記下來很煽情的一句話：如果你需要擁抱，請來Em區！

     Emporium extends their advertising to the space in the BTS station with designs in all forms. They must speak to me even though in the beginning I didn't take them seriously. Now I can say one slogan right off the top of my head, "If you need a hug, come to the Em district!" 

        我對百貨公司沒有研究，可是Emporium讓我感覺是眼界頗遠大的公司，有為兒童設計的區域，同時之前提過的設計中心也在Emporium裡。

     I am not an expert on department stores, but I feel Emporium has vision. There is a playground designed for children. Also, TCDC, the design center mentioned in my earlier post, is located in Emporium as well. 

        空中輕軌站的視覺宣傳很簡潔有力，因為曼谷的外國遊客多到爆，採用簡單的英文和容易理解的圖像有它的道理。

     The visual design of BTS is neat and to the point. Bangkok is packed with foreign tourists, so it's very crucial to use simple English and understandable visual language. 

        讓座的圖像設計看起來很俐落。

     Even the sticker that tells passengers to yield priority seats is slick. 

        九號碼頭有一家我很喜歡的設計書店，對於空間的裝潢很用心。

     This is a bookstore selling books on designs near the No.9 pier. I love the small yet beautiful shop. 

生活的視覺語言

The Visual Language of Life

        只要出了八號碼頭，都會被這個按摩的漫畫吸引，實在太有力了！

     Anyone that walks out of the No. 8 pier will be attracted by this advertisement of massage. It's hilarious and lively! 

        乍都乍市集有吃有喝，但也要看畫！

     Art is a part of Chatukcha Weekend Market as well! 

        有些畫有濃濃的歷史感，讓我無法抗拒。

     Some paintings are reminiscent of the old ways of living in Thailand, which I find irresistible. 

人物風景

Portraits 

        曼谷人對於理髮的不同詮釋。

     The old and new ways of barbering in Bangkok. 

        我很喜歡新舊文化並存的畫面。

     It's not hard to find the old and the new co-existing in the big city. 

        曼谷神奇之處在於程市裡塞滿了各種顏色，居然也透露一種很難得的和諧感！

     The magic of  Bangkok lies in that its numerous colors create a rare visual harmony! 

The Bangkok Book 2 / 曼谷之書 2

摩托計程車司機

Motorcycle Taxi Drivers

曼谷有各種交通工具，不知為何，我對摩托計程車司機的生活就是很有興趣，本來只止於觀察，後來發現搭乘摩托車可以省去走路的麻煩，而且司機很厲害，連大行李箱都可以塞在座位前的狹小空間，並且可以在阻塞的車陣之間不斷前進！

Among various means of transportation in Bangkok, somehow motorcycle taxis hold special appeal for me. At first I observe and sketch from afar, but later I learn how convenient it is to be offered a short ride at a low cost. These drivers are experts. Even a gigantic piece of luggage can be squeezed into the small space in front of the seat. Take a motorcycle taxi if you don't want to be trapped in an annoying traffic jam! 

        摩托車會成羣集結在巷口或路口，沒有客人的時候就吃飯、打手機、發呆，有的怕日曬，會戴上黑頭套，但不是要去搶銀行。

     Motorcycle taxi drivers usually gather at the entrance to an alley. When there are no passengers, they would eat, phub, or just relax. I am particularly impressed by their black bandanas, but don't worry. They are not going to rob a bank. 

        上班尖峰時段搭摩托計程車還要排隊呢！

     There is a long queue waiting to take a motorcycle taxi during rush hour.

和尚

Monks

        在現代化的大城市裡，和尚橘色的身影很顯目，到處都看得到，他們也過著很摩登的生活。倒是公共運輸系統很擁擠，女性乘客要小心不能碰到比丘。

     Monks clad in orange robes are eye-catching in a big city. They are everywhere in Bangkok. In fact, they also lead very modern lives. Attention: Women can't have any physical contact with them, which is especially challenging in crowded MRT or BTS carriages. 

制服

Uniforms

        捷運上處處可見穿制服的中學生，而且頭髮也有規定。

     High school students in uniforms are part of the cityscape. Students from some schools even tie up their hair in the same style. 

        大學生也穿制服，基本上都很合身，裙子有多種樣式，搭配自己的鞋子，穿起來都蠻好看的。

     College students also wear uniforms. The shirt is basically tight-fitting, and there are different choices for the skirt in terms of length and styles. The girls can wear their own shoes or sandals, which makes them look more mature than high school kids. 

        不過裙子並沒有皮帶扣環，所以皮帶常會上下移動。

     However, there are no straps on the belt, so the belt would often slip up and down. 

        有一天去朱拉隆功大學的食堂坐了一下午，大家的制服真的都好平坦整齊啊！朱拉的學生感覺很認真，吃完午飯立刻一起讀書、討論作業。

     I spend an afternoon in the cafeteria in Chulalongkorn University. I notice that everyone's uniforms are neatly ironed. Most of the students immediately get down to studies after lunch and have enthusiastic discussions about their questions. 

        除了學生制服外，警察制服也非常合身。

     Apart from student uniforms, the police uniforms are tight-fitting too. 

        本來很想厚臉皮地請求警察讓我拍照，最後還是作罷，這是我能捕捉到最清楚的畫面了。

     I have thought long and hard about begging one BTS policeman for a photo shot, but I do not have enough courage. This is the best picture I can get. 

市井小民

Ordinary People 

        我也很喜歡觀察編花環賣花的小販。

     I am also interested in observing the flower vendors that are constantly making flower wreaths. 

        有一天偶然看到這樣賣魚的小販。

     One day I run into a fish vendor selling fish in plastic bags. 

若要從曼谷去附近的小城市，得到勝利紀念碑站搭車，早上六點半天還沒亮，空氣微涼，一整排售票人員坐在像臨時搭起的棚架裡賣票，棚內的日光燈襯著外面紫藍的天色，有種很特別的感覺。

If you are heading to nearby cities from Bangkok, chances are that you have to buy tickets and take minivans from Victory Monument BTS station. At 6:30 a.m., against the indigo sky, a line of ticket sellers wearing coats sit in a rickety shed. There's something about the image that makes me want to sketch it. 

        丹能莎朵水上市場有很多划船的都是有年紀的女性。

     Many vendors in Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are middle-aged or old ladies who are really skilled at rowing boats. 

        小小的船上放了少少的食材。競爭蠻激烈的，這也是個辛苦的行業。

     There isn't much space for the ingredients or food on the boat. They have to fight for tourists' attention in time before the boats move away, which makes me feel that this is a competitive profession. 

        乍都乍週末市集餐廳為了吸引觀光客，還有駐唱歌手，話說泰國男性好像很愛留鬍子。

     The restaurant where I eat in Chatukcha even hires a singer with a drummer to attract customers. Thai men seem to have a like for growing a beard. 

偶像

Icons 

        這裡的麥當勞叔叔也很謙卑有禮。

     Uncle McDonald in Thailand is as humble and full of gratitude as most people here. 

        要入海關去搭飛機之前還是好想畫完拉瑪堅！

     I can't repress my desire to draw Ramakian before going through the customs in the airport! 

Stockholm / 斯德哥爾摩

斯德哥爾摩最富盛名的市政廳。

The renowned Stockholm City Hall. 

        瑞典人怎麼能把談政治的場合設計得如此優雅？

     How can Swedes make a political venue so elegant? 

        藍廳：每年十二月十日諾貝爾晚宴於此舉行。

     The Blue Hall is where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held every year on December, 10. 

        光舉窗戶為例，其設計就千變萬化。

     Take the windows for example. There are various designs of shapes and patterns. 

        走完一圈市政廳，覺得比美術館還像美術館。

     It feels more like an art museum than a city hall. 

        金廳內貼有1900萬片馬賽克金箔磁磚，金壁輝煌，中央嵌飾美娜蓮女王的黃金像。

     The Golden Hall is named after the decorative mosaics made of more than 18 million glass and gold pieces. On the center of the wall is the Queen of Lake Maelaren, which represents Stockholm being honored by the East and the West. 

        市政廳外面還有如此浪漫的畫面！

     I capture a super romantic image outside the city hall! 

        地面市集，多半是移民經營的攤販。

     The outdoor market outside the Old Haymarket: Most stands are run by immigrants. 

        貴氣的市內市場，連小販都很有個人風格。

     The indoor market is chic. Each of the vendors has his/her distinctive style. 

        光看就飽了！

     This is a feast for the eyes! 

        連餐桌都是風景！

     There's something to see even on the dining table! 

        多特寧皇宮有「北方凡爾賽宮」之稱，始建於十六世紀末，十八世紀為瑞典皇室避暑勝地，現為皇家成員居住地。

     Drottningham Palace is also known as the Swedish Versailles. It was originally built in the late 16th century. It served as a summer residence for the Swedish royal family during most of the 18th century. Now it is the private residence of the royal family. 

        皇宮外的巴洛克花園。

     The baroque garden outside the palace. 

        庭園四周環繞著森林。

     The garden is surrounded by the woods. 

        我對皇宮裡的特展很有興趣，是介紹之前的橘園所種植的各式植物。

     I am intrigued by an exhibition in the palace, which introduces the plants grown in the orangery in the past. 

        最初的橘園只是個小溫室，不過在1714年擴建為石造建築，收集的異國花草也日漸壯大。

     The first orangery at Drottningham was a simple hothouse. The erection in 1714 of a larger orangery in stone made it possible to accommodate a greater variety of exotic plants. 

        這個展覽很酷的地方在於提供各種花草的味道，讓訪客有更深刻的嗅覺經驗。

I find the exhibition to be cool in that even the fragrances of plants are provided to enhance the visitor's olfactory experience. 

        不知道冬季的斯德哥爾摩好不好呢？ 

     I wonder what Stockholm is like in winter?