Through the Eyes of Beholders

2020 - 2021

< Works

“When you look out of your eyes at nature happening out there, you’re looking at you . . . Outside world, no longer left outside.”

- Alan Watts

Sometimes when I look at nature and perceive its beauty — be it in a simple, delicate instance or a majestic one — a wordless feeling wells up inside me. I don’t know what it is, but it reminds me of my smallness in relation to this vast, ancient universe. It is often said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but I don’t think I ever decided to find nature beautiful. It always felt more like beauty was revealing itself.

Through the Eyes of Beholders is a triptych of works made over three modules in my final year at Lasalle. It explores questions of the self and nature from various angles — collective experience, personal expression and tradition — to reflect on the urban condition many of us face today. Expressly avoiding the important 'macro' discussions on climate change, food systems, sustainability, etc., the Beholders series asks a personal, yet easily overlooked question:

“What does nature actually mean to you?”

I

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."

- Jacques Yves Cousteau, oceanographer, explorer, inventor of the SCUBA.

I got caught in this net pretty early, hearing my mother's stories of a youth spent close to shore. My own encounters with marine life began in the school library as a kid, and subsequently in Malaysian waters, where my parents often brought us during the school holidays.

Countless memories left an important, lasting impression. Naturally, I picked up scuba diving, which introduced me to a community of kindred spirits. Despite every diver's distinct personality, there is clearly a shared sense of wonder, appreciation and humility towards nature that in some strange way grounds us.

Beholders I was made for my Fieldwork elective module under the tutelage of Dr. Wang Ruobing. Made from anecdotes and mementos collected from fellow divers, this archival piece explores the currents that run through our hearts. A current that flows through nature, uniquely perceived by each and every one of us.

For the full piece, click here.

II

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the sky. There is a wordless, peaceful joy that comes from beholding such sights.

In Ibn Tufayl’s philosophical tale Hayy ibn Yaqzan, contemplation of nature acts as a means to return to one’s true self. Similarly, traditional Malay ornaments translated the intricate forms and movements of nature into motifs adorning everyday items and spaces. What really fascinated me about this practice was how each motif was imbued with a philosophy in pantun verse, acting as subtle reminders and advice on comportment and uprightness.

This perspective resonated with me, so I set out in search of metaphors embedded in the firmament of which I am so fond. If the cosmos was a scripture, what would it say? What poetry would nature reveal?

Beholders II is a video installation developed for the Graduation Project module under the guidance of Jeremy Sharma, Adeline Kueh and Donna Ong. A visual poem borne of my skyward musings, this piece is a contemporary attempt at traditional perspectives of art and nature; an expression of nature’s significance in my lived experience.

Download the Beholders II process journal.

III

In recent years I have been grappling with the dissonance between disenchanted and romantic attitudes towards nature. Either extreme was problematic in its own way, but proceeding with indifference towards both would avoid addressing important questions pertaining to the relationship between self and nature.

Beholders III is my submission for the Dissertation module, written under the supervision of Tan Guo-Liang. This paper examines the role of art as a human engagement with nature in the Islamic and Taoist traditions, drawing comparisons against their secular Western counterparts. Taking a look at the contemporary practice of artists James Turrell, Wucius Wong and John Wolseley through an Eastern metaphysical lens, this essay makes a case for the timeless relevance of ancient aesthetics.