The beacon.

Abstract

Drawing on the qualities of light, Chong Yew’s photos of resplendent shopping malls capture the spectacle and splendor of our consumeristic culture.The compaction of time and space through the use of long exposures provides a distilled essence of a country where shopping has become the main past time.

Like moths to flame, humans are attracted to areas of brightness. This subconscious attraction is inherited from our ancestors as a survival mechanism, where light signifies the presence of food, warmth, shelter and companionship. In the modern context, the allure of light on us takes on a new level of attraction.

The beacon of capitalism acts like a star in the sky which people gravitate to; seeking the promise of warmth and fulfillment. Yet while offering ourselves to the ubiquitous light, we grant it the power to feed our energies to the wheels of endless consumerism; just like a star, burning brightly on its own brilliance. This paper describes the concepts and critical response from the final year project.