Black Mountain (Australia)
It is eucalypt forest buzzing with the sound of cicadas and heavy with the scent of gum leaves on hot summer days. I have been here for the past six months watching her from my window every morning and evening. I decided to do some portraits of her and started to move nearer and have an intimate contact with her finally. The highest point is at 830m above sea level, photos and drawings were made along the way; bushes and tree barks were the main topic. I observed and captured each subject matter in multiple angle views; this will result into layered of imagery appearing onto one plane to echo the picture in my mind and projecting â??changeâ?? as phenomena in nature as well as life.
â??Life is constantly changing. Life is change. Only one thing is permanent, and that is change itself. To accept this changing exercise with all its seasons and moods, this constant flow, which never stops for a single moment, is to be blissful.â?? [1]
I was fascinated by the formation of trees along the steep hill, patterns of the tree barks illuminated by the sun rays and the illusion of cross woven branches hinting a form of system in the chaotic world.
â??Chaos is what a handful of theorists steeped in math and computer know-how are calling their challengingly abstract new look at nature in terms of nonlinear dynamics.â?? [2] To me, â??Chaosâ?? is the rule and pattern of nature; to a certain extent there is logic in it that humans try to understand and define it so far, and yet there is so much unknown beyond our current knowledge.
Back to the art studio, all the images done on site as well as the sense of engagement with nature has created strong references for my art creation in the second phase. Splashes of colors and marks created on papers were simply sentiment from the heart and pictures from the mind. They are not the realistic painting of the shape and forms, as far beyond that are fragments of memories and insights of the subject matter.
These paintings and drawings were further merged with photo images in the digital space, and translated back as a printed material; cordially transformed pixels back to ink dots. An enormous experience while ones constantly move in and out between the physical and virtual canvas. This echoes â??perceptionâ?? & â??changeâ?? in Buddhist terminology as mentioned in the earlier write up at my personal blog.
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Footnote:
[1] OSHO, â??The ABC of enlightenmentâ??. (Publisher: Element, 2003). British Library Catalogue Reference ISBN 0007161484. Page 32.
[2] James Gleick, Chaos: The Making of a New Science. Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Amazon.com Review â?? Front Quote of Reprint edition (December 1, 1988).
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Haur Tan (b. 1963) graduated from the Australian National University (Master of Visual Arts) in year 2007 and major in digital imaging art and photography. He is a multi disciplinary artist and his art reflects his zen practices in every day life. In order for him to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, Tan prefers to immerse himself into different environments for observation, reflection, inspiration and creation. He has traveled to many countries creating art at high altitudes up upon summits as well as deep down in the ocean, in search of the relationship between Nature, Human, Culture, Art, Media and Technology. Tan strongly belief that the journey and process of creation are as important as the final artwork itself. Tanâ??s passion for digital art, photography, drawing, painting and underwater sketching has motivated him to share this new genre with other enthusiasts around the world.
http://tanhaur.wordpress.com
Tan Haur (b. 1963) a Singaporean photographer and a multi disciplinary artist, is well known for his multi faceted work in the art of digital imaging, photography, painting and underwater sketching. He graduated from the Australian National University (Master of Visual arts) with a high distinction in digital imaging and photography in 2007. Tan draws inspiration from the natural environment and nurtures an interest in Buddhist philosophy and practice, humanity and its many facets and artificial intelligence in the making of art.
To gain new perspectives, Tan immerses himself into different environments, experiencing the differences, and experimenting different mediums and technologies in art creation and interaction, continuously in search of the relationship between Nature, Culture, Art, Media and Technology. He emphasizes strongly in the process of creating art and the journey of experiencing the subject matter; which are equally important as the final presentation. Tan Haur has received numerous distinctive arts awards and art contribution medals from Paris, USA, Australia, Japan and Singapore, including the Silver Award from PX3 Photo Contest 2011, Merit award of Interior Design as a Contemporary Art Medium Competition, from the National Museum of Singapore in 2009, the Community art program award from the Ministry of Information, Communications and Arts, Singapore in 2007, First Prize Art Award from Burgmann Mixed Media Art Competition, Australia in 2006, World Wide Web Award of Excellence, Art Space 2000 International, USA in 2005, the President's Award (Seiko Epson Japan) and the Public Art Business Excellency Award/ epSite Digital Imaging academy and Gallery in 2004.
