The SpaceSheep has an inspiring session over coffee with RCG...

Art encompasses everything, jumping over the censors before landing gracefully in the weirdest places. The age of technology has taken the fun out of outdoor exploring, and the physical satisfaction of discovery. Welcome to life with the greatest dictator of all time, the internet. As I willingly enslave myself to power at my fingertips, these fingertips have done us proud with RCGNTN.

RCGNTN is a website for the masses. It introduces snippets of creativity, inspiration and ambition back into the life of those enslaved. Here's a coffee break with part of the team, Yawen and Sam.

QN: What is RCGNTN?

RCGNTN comes from the word recognition

RCGNTN: RCGNTN comes from the word recognition, which is what RCGNTN stands for. Singapore is not a very big country, but we have overlooked many talented people. It might be that our society has been developed to think of practicality first, causing us to forget about developing a culture of our own. The site is for the public (locally and overseas), to see that Singapore is not lacking in people of talent who pursue their dreams, as compared to let's say, the United States.

Sam, RCGNTN

QN: Tell us more about the brains behind RCGNTN?
RCGNTN: The idea of recognizing local talent was initially Sam's. RCGNTN started off as a platform for us to introduce people to the good stuff (locally and overseas). We eventually ironed out the details and decided to make it purely local.

QN: I love the concept behind RCGNTN, but the local arts scene is a grey area of possibilities (or not). What difficulties have you encountered?
RCGNTN: The local arts scene seems like a grey area because not much light has been cast upon it. Despite the government being more pro-arts in the recent years, it has not been sufficient to expose the thriving scene which has been around.

Due to the underground nature of the arts scene, the main difficulty we had was sourcing out these geniuses. One good thing about the small community is that once you know a few people, it is not hard to find more. The arts scene is thriving! There are always people popping up all over the place, who dabble in music, illustrating, etc.

QN: Hmm...Since a big slice of RCGNTN is dedicated to music, what music influences you?
Yawen: Musically, I've been a bit of a recluse. I haven't been listening to much music, but I can always enjoy good House, Dub-step, Drum & Bass and Trance.

Sam: I'm pretty much a sheep that listens to anything, but my major influences include edm (electronic dance music) like minimal techno, dub step, a bit of electro, nerd rap, and good ol' rock n roll. It just seems to show whenever I draw/design anything.

Yawen, RCGNTN

QN: What else inspires you?
Yawen: I'm an avid animal rights person. I don't know why, but I just am and I think that there should be more awareness in (local) society - there's really more to life than money and getting an apartment.

Sam: In terms of causes, there aren't any particular ones that I support, but I do lean towards human and animal rights as well as the right to be heard. Oh and I reject using plastic bags whenever I can too, so that counts right?

I look up to people who single-handedly make a positive change in people, and help change the way people tend to stereotype and view things behind tinted shades. They can be anyone, from the inspiring people I meet who don't stop believing, to my family.

QN: One last one for our girls. Complete this: Girls are........
Yawen: Girls are beautiful. (breaks out in laughter) I might sound a bit looney, but I love the shape of a woman and I feel that everyone should embrace their curves!

Sam: Troublesome. I know I might get sh** for this from a girl myself but tardiness, epic whining and dramatic mood swings are seriously not funny man. I still love you though!

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Thank you for reading, folks! It was a great time with the two, and I think I may have found a fellow (*GASP) sheep!

www.RCGNTN.com

About Space Sheep
She wanted to save the world with a huge ballpoint pen, but discovered the television and the internet. Since then, life has been put on hold as she discovered her natural flair for being a potato. To satisfy her alter ego, she hides behind a colored screen working her naked fingers across square blocks to entertain you. She likes cheese, huge furry animals and is in the process of adopting a llama so they can watch television together (girlfriends are SO past tense).

If you really must, email her for advice and exciting conversations at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it