Wee Zhen Yi 2C/06

In the photo taken, a tree which is on the very of falling is supported and held in place by ropes. The scene portrays both protection of man over nature and man’s domination and authority exerted on her. This image is significant because it shows the reality of the relationship between man and nature. Indeed, there are often two or even more starkly different sides of a story. Man had dominated and exerted undue authority over nature, wielding his power unchecked. However, the authority exerted by man can be constituted as care for nature at times and in this case for the tree, supporting it through infancy or even for life because of its precarious position. There is balance and harmony achieved between nature and man shown in the image. While man controls nature and manipulates its life and death, man helped it to survive. Nature can be seen as helpless, awaiting man to save her. In the urban society today, nature is put in a disadvantaged position, abandoned pets are left to an unfamiliar surrounding, and these animals need aid. Similarly, trees tied down to the ground are often “instant trees” which were first grown else where. Nature here is portrayed to be easily manoeuvred and need to be cared for.

In the photo taken, fences are built to protect anyone from falling off the cliff, from the angle the photo is taken however; it seems that the fences is surrounding the tree grown under the cliff. The image is significant because it shows man encircling nature, and in this case, a tree. While nature is incorporated in our urban society and nature preserved or remade to be placed in parks, they can never be as free as in the wild. This image reflects the place of nature in urban society today, where nature and trees can be planted along roads and buildings, this is also present in Singapore, however nature there can never be as wild and natural as in the wild forest, where plants sprawl across the land. Nature here is tamed and organised, cooped within artificial land, although the garden is home to many plants, it could never be the same as in the wild.






In the image, a tree is planted with man-made waterfall surrounding it. This actually shows man’s attempt in beautifying nature, by mimicking nature itself. The picture is significant because it shows harmony and man’s awe for nature, so much so he is willing to imitate the natural phenomenon found only in nature. There is harmony achieved and despite human’s everyday attempt in exploiting nature, man still hold nature in awe as shown in the picture. Nature here is reconstructed, however it seem like a failed attempt to be on par with nature. This is again significant, showing that while man attempts to imitate nature, the magnificence and genuineness of nature cannot be reconstructed. This shows the place of nature in society today, where nature can be reconstructed like the man-made grass or cloned animals, however flaws are ever present, while man can destroy nature, man cannot reconstruct her. Therefore, man should treasure nature as it is.

Wee Zhen Yi

2C