AURA

Genesis 1:3-4: Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

In the Bible, "light" represents the beginning of creation and symbolizes all origins. Jesus likened himself to the "light" and revealed the path to salvation for human souls.

In Walter Bendix Schönflies Benjamin’s (1892.7.15—1940.9.26) theory of photography, the "aura" is a strange weave of space and time: the unique manifestation of a distant thing that feels near at hand despite the separation. "Spirituality" refers to something that transcends itself. Wisdom arises from the interplay of various elements in works of art, reflecting what lies beyond each element—while those elements themselves reflect something that transcends the whole.

I believe the world is enveloped by this often-overlooked "aura"—a medium that brings satisfaction and a sense of steadfastness when viewed and truly perceived. It can serve as a reflection of humanity's perception of nature.

I hope that photography can capture this "spiritual light," allowing us to glimpse God's revelation to humankind.

This personal project began on January 31, 2013, the day of my grandfather's cremation. When I saw his final white ashes being gathered into the urn, I realized that at that moment, a person's life ultimately returns to "dust," as Ecclesiastes 12:7 says: "The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." These "ashes" are like stars in the universe—both insignificant and profoundly important. They do not truly disappear, revealing that life is eternal. "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14). From that day, I began the "AURA" project, searching for images that reveal insights about life.

Project period: 2013–2025
Exhibition: none
Publication: none