He who created the original paradise, promised to restore what was lost
Pulau Belakang Mati - Sentosa
2018
A deserted tropical island. A setting which is utopian. The idea of paradise on earth is one that originates back to the Bible; the Garden of Eden before the fall of men.
Paradise islands are highly desirable places. But does paradise exist ? How can we know that paradise on earth is not a fantasy, but reality ?
In this series of works I photographed man made tropical islands, created just for you, made to please. Its shows nature, which when taking a closer look, is not nature at all, it’s fake.
I photographed the hollow rocks at an island in Singapore formerly known as "Pulau Belakang Mati" which literally translates as "Island of Death from behind". The island was redeveloped in 1972 by the Singapore government and renamed "Sentosa" which translates to peace and tranquility. Sentosa is and artificially constructed tourist spot, a materialist decadent paradise, made to please.
The hollow rocks, disintegrated in time, decaying, empty shells held up by plastic pipes, some about to collapse, are a symbol for a paradise lost. Paradise as utopia. The fantasy of paradise on a collision course with reality. The island no longer a place of exotic, idealistic dreams, but a more interior, darker, dystopian place.
The title refers to two things;
-Firstly it refers to the Bible, God who created paradise, pronounced a curse on Adam and Eve after they committed sin and He casts them out of the Garden of Eden. However, after a life living out the teachings of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is once again promised. (paradise lost- paradise regained)
-The title also refers to the idea that 'paradise' is a man made concept. Paradise is often seen as a tropical deserted island where all is good and innocence prevails. Man here takes the role of "God" by creating paradisiacal landscapes, with artificial materials, which over time collapse (paradise found-paradise lost) and will most likely be restored over time.
Paradise islands are highly desirable places. But does paradise exist ? How can we know that paradise on earth is not a fantasy, but reality ?
In this series of works I photographed man made tropical islands, created just for you, made to please. Its shows nature, which when taking a closer look, is not nature at all, it’s fake.
I photographed the hollow rocks at an island in Singapore formerly known as "Pulau Belakang Mati" which literally translates as "Island of Death from behind". The island was redeveloped in 1972 by the Singapore government and renamed "Sentosa" which translates to peace and tranquility. Sentosa is and artificially constructed tourist spot, a materialist decadent paradise, made to please.
The hollow rocks, disintegrated in time, decaying, empty shells held up by plastic pipes, some about to collapse, are a symbol for a paradise lost. Paradise as utopia. The fantasy of paradise on a collision course with reality. The island no longer a place of exotic, idealistic dreams, but a more interior, darker, dystopian place.
The title refers to two things;
-Firstly it refers to the Bible, God who created paradise, pronounced a curse on Adam and Eve after they committed sin and He casts them out of the Garden of Eden. However, after a life living out the teachings of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is once again promised. (paradise lost- paradise regained)
-The title also refers to the idea that 'paradise' is a man made concept. Paradise is often seen as a tropical deserted island where all is good and innocence prevails. Man here takes the role of "God" by creating paradisiacal landscapes, with artificial materials, which over time collapse (paradise found-paradise lost) and will most likely be restored over time.
