Nicholas Goh Koon Yi 2B'06

This picture features a stone bench along a path in the Botanic Gardens. Behind the bench are a few clutters of plants growing out of the grass. From this, we can clearly see that even in an urban society such as Singapore, nature is still being appreciated and enjoyed by the masses. The bench was built and placed there by the government. This means that the government also encourages us to take a break from our hectic city lives and enjoy the peace of nature. However, as it can be seen, the bench is built on concrete floor with a few dead leaves under and around it. Man intends to appreciate nature but does not want to fuse with it. This shows that despite there being nature in the urban place, it is not completely the wild nature. It is, instead, a tamed and controlled version. Simply put, Man is superior over nature in the concrete jungle that Man has built. This picture also shows the place to nature in the urban society today. Nature is seen only as a tool for enjoyment. People only go to the park to relive nature when they are free. Nature is no longer integrated into their lives; however, it has now become a relaxation toy.

This picture shows a sheltered rest-house with a lake in the foreground and trees in the background. Just like the previous picture, this also shows that Man is superior over nature and that he can get to enjoy the view of nature from the angle he wants to see it in. Take this picture for example, Man can choose whatever plants he wants to be placed around the rest house for the entertainment of the person who is resting. He can also choose to modify the size or shape of the lake as well as the plants growing in and around the area. From this, we can yet again see how man has triumphed over. From this, we can see that Nature is constantly being cultivated and processed into an item that Man can choose to use and please himself with as and when he likes. In other words, this picture shows how nature is losing its freedom and is no longer being viewed as a living and organic thing.

This picture shows a long stone path with rough turf along the sides and trees further on. After the trees, the path goes into a clearing. In this case, we can see yet again that man has captured nature by its reins. Man chooses to allow the long grass to grow along the sides of the path for its beauty, but should the grass overgrow and grow onto the pavement, it would be cleared. The plant’s attempt to grow over the pavement also depicts to us how nature is struggling to break free from Man’s control so that it can grow free again. The way Man keeps the grass from growing onto the pathway also tells us about Man’s view of nature. The turf was put there in order to make the place look more beautiful, in other words, it is being appreciated. However, the way it is only allowed to grow within certain confinements proves that Man is only appreciating what he wants to appreciate. He does not appreciate the entire of wild nature, but just the way he wants to see it. Nature yet again is being seen as a simple source of entertainment.

Nicholas Goh
2B'06