Light In 2016

  • September 2025. 
Florence, Italy. Bolognese la pietra

  • In this series of work, I wished to explore the interplay of light and shadow, finding how this intangible and fleeting element conveys depth, space, and emotion. I mainly emphasize the contrast and darker tonalities of spaces, hoping to present a sense of nostalgia, as I think light is a medium that carries tenderness and warmth that tends to transform spaces into poetic moments.

  • The photos are captured in the Villa of NYU Florence, as this is a place that resonates deepest with my memories. Almost a decade ago, I traveled through Italy with my father, which left an enduring affection on me for this country. I remember telling myself then that I had to come back again.

  • Thus, studying and coming here again feels like returning to those cherished memories, in which the open landscape and the timeless quality of the Villa embody everything I imagine about life in Italy: beauty, warmth, passion, calm, and a sense of ease. As a painter, I have always been interested in exploring the concept of space, both emotionally and physically, and photography allows me to extend this exploration in a new medium.

  • Sunlight and shadows are the first things I think about when facing the space in photography, a sense of atmosphere that is intangible but felt real. However, capturing these moments is challenging due to the unpredictable quality of light, as it might appear for a second before disappearing behind the clouds, making it entirely dependent on the weather and time of day. This required me to observe patiently and carry my camera constantly.

  • Ultimately, I am able to preserve some rare luminous moments, capture the calm and warmth, and provide a sense of quietness and inner peace that I hope to convey.

Snow in Summer

In this series, I capture nature and objects through darker and dimmer lights, mainly focusing on the quiet existence of the objects themselves. There are a few close captures of the old objects found in a storage room, dusty, and items perhaps forgotten from the past. The moment I saw these objects, a strong sense of warmth and memory appeared, reminding me of the comforting feelings I had usually during winter evenings, spending time with my family. However, these images were taken during the summer season, in the hot and sticky heat. What struck me the most was the opposite, the out-of-season perception that these objects evoked, presenting a contrast that made me feel perhaps magical, and thus it became the story and the reason that made me want to record them.

In my opinion, this magical feeling is closely connected to Bergson’s quote that “When things stop being useful, they start being”. The objects might no longer be able to function and serve a purpose, but the traces of time and sensation are still carried in them, preserving this intangible value quietly in the corner. Their presence is more about the emotion and meaning rather than its own utility. Moreover, the photos capturing the trees also remind me of Christmas and winter. The reflection of light on the pine needles at night creates a distortion that makes it appear like snow. Under the dim light, though the air is still warm, the pine trees seem to transform into something cold, quiet, and serene. Through these objects and moments, I started to see and feel how things began to be and exist, how memory and light recreate their value when they are no longer trapped in their utilities.

Persona

Piazza Indipendenza