Flowing Reality Posted On 8th October 2024 To Magazine & Stories

What is Reality?

“Moon in the water, Flower in the mirror.” What is Reality? Whether what we are living now is the reflection of the reality or the reality itself? The age-old question has puzzled philosophers, scholars, and seekers of truth throughout the annals of time. Are we truly perceiving the world as it is, or are we merely encountering a reflection, a distortion of reality? To delve into the depths of this inquiry, we must embark on a journey through the corridors of history, traversing epochs and civilizations, to uncover the intricate tapestry of human understanding.

What is the true nature of reality?

Since time immemorial, the Earth has been shrouded in mystery, with vast expanses of water dominating its surface. The ebb and flow of the ocean, the rhythmic dance of waves crashing against the shore, have long captivated the human imagination. From the primordial depths of the sea, life emerged, gradually making its way onto dry land, culminating in the dawn of human civilization. Yet, even as we have erected towering monuments, forged empires, and charted the course of history, the fundamental question remains: What is the true nature of reality?

The concept of mimesis

Ancient civilizations grappled with this enigma, weaving intricate mythologies and cosmologies to make sense of the world around them. The Greeks pondered the concept of mimesis, the imitation of nature in art, suggesting that our perception of reality is inherently bound up with representation and interpretation. Plato's allegory of the cave further explored the notion of reality as a shadowy reflection of deeper truths, prompting us to question the veracity of our sensory experiences.

Perception and reality

As the sands of time continued to shift, so too did humanity's understanding of reality. The Renaissance ushered in an era of enlightenment and exploration, as artists and thinkers sought to peel back the layers of illusion and reveal the underlying order of the universe. Leonardo da Vinci's studies of light and perspective revolutionized artistic expression, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between perception and reality.

The tangible and the intangible

The dawn of the modern era brought with it unprecedented advancements in science and technology, reshaping our conception of the cosmos. The discovery of electromagnetic waves, the theory of relativity, and the advent of quantum mechanics challenged conventional notions of space and time, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and the intangible. In the words of Albert Einstein, "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

Continues to unfold

Against this backdrop of scientific inquiry and philosophical speculation, the human experience continues to unfold. In the bustling metropolises of the present day, skyscrapers pierce the heavens, and neon lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors against the night sky. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, we are reminded of the ephemeral nature of reality. Buildings rise and fall, civilizations wax and wane, but the underlying flux remains unchanged.

"Flowing Reality"

It is within this ever-shifting landscape that the "Flowing Reality" project takes root. Spanning over 20 cities across Europe, this ongoing series seeks to capture the essence of existence through the lens of a large-format analog wood camera. Each photograph serves as a testament to the transient nature of reality, freezing a moment in time before it slips away into the currents of history.

A new reality begins

In the darkroom of London, QIU Yangzi (Yangzi) painstakingly develops each image, breathing life into the latent traces of light and shadow. As the chemical bath swirls and eddies, a new reality begins to take shape, blurring the boundaries between perception and interpretation. What emerges is not merely a representation of the world, but a glimpse into the infinite possibilities that lie beyond.

Waiting to be discovered

In the final analysis, the quest to unravel the mysteries of reality is an ongoing journey, with no clear destination in sight. Like the moon reflected in the water, or the flower in the mirror, our understanding of the world is but a fleeting glimpse of something deeper and more profound. Yet, it is in the act of seeking, of questioning, that we come closest to grasping the elusive truth that lies at the heart of existence. And so, as we gaze upon the photographs of "Flowing Reality," let us be reminded of the boundless potential that lies within each moment, waiting to be discovered.

This series titled “Flowing Reality” created since 2019 and with 70+ artworks included. All the negatives and gelatin silver papers used in this project are produced by ILFORD.

The Photographers' Gallery

QIU Yangzi's ongoing series, Rotation, is on display now in The Photographers' Gallery Print Sales Gallery as part of the current group show, Reimagined Landscapes. The series explores immersion, space, place, and belonging to show how architecture creates divisions and tensions within the city. Yangzi’s large-format analogue prints transform our built environments into disorienting ‘mindscapes’ that challenge notions of orientation and reality. Shot exclusively with an 8x10 large format analog wood camera, each photograph is meticulously hand-printed in a London-based darkroom, producing prints over 1.36 x 1.76 m in size. On display until 10 November. @thephotographersgallery @tpgprintsales

Images ©QIU Yangzi