Koh Chaik Hong

The Distanced Land,Singapore

 

In the name of progress, the ideology of modernization demands and justifies the domination of nature to benefit humankind alone. In this photography series, I photograph and observe places that are or going to be used for urban development in Singapore. These are mainly in areas of, Punggol, Sengkang, Tampines and other new towns. My question is that, is it worth to sacrifice the aesthetic experience of nature for urban development.

 

Nature to me is a place for escape, beauty, and inspiration. Yet nature has its danger, rough terrains, and dangerous wild animals. Having accustomed to the comfort of living in an urban environment I felt more secured surrounded by human’s infrastructure. Ironically yet at the same time, I feel deeply attached to nature.

 

By taking a more neutral role as an observer in looking at development, I photograph my subjects from a distance. Showing more of the surrounding but at the same time giving less information too. I believe that an image should give a sense of imagination and curiosity to the viewer instead of being too direct.

 

Inspired by photographers such as Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld, Andrea Gursky and Alec Soth, they all have influenced the way I approach and compose my subjects. Hopefully, through this series, I will spark a thought in the viewer’s mind about the dilemma between the conservation of nature and urban development.