Lee Chi Hang 2E/06

This picture shows a man-made lake, with a sculpture and a small island in the middle of the lake. This lake is surrounded by the greenery of nature and shows nature embracing urban landscape. This picture is significant because even though the lake, the island and the nature around it are all somewhat man-made, the quality of nature can be seen and man tries to bring back the connection between man and nature, incorporating man-made features back into nature which man is trying to relive. All the trees, grass and clear waters surround the lake and can be seen as a type of embracement of man back into nature. Through man's effort to bring back nature, which had been lost in our technological advancements, into our lives, the reverse can be seen as well. All that is seen in the picture, after all, are man's works and shows how man is trying and longing to recover that lost connection between nature and us, to once again experience the beauty of nature.

This picture was taken at a junction of the Botanic Gardens. In the middle of the junction, there was a man-made marble ball fountain, as seen in the picture. Behind it, there is a group of plants which i believe were purposely planted in such a manner. On both sides of these plants are signs which show the place that each road leads to. In this case, man is reconstructing nature but not in its original form as there are many elements of urban landscape seen here. The pavements themselves are already a form of urban landscape which spreads throughout the Botanic Gardens and the small marble ball fountain and signs are yet another example of the strong existence of the urban landscape. The incorporation of man's creation into nature can be seen as even domineering in this picture because of how man's creation surrounds nature. How nature is supposed to grow and develop are all controlled by man's actions, even the arrangement of how they grow to be like, just to fit them in with man's creations.

This picture shows a series of steps followed by a road which disappears into the trees ahead. On the right, there is another road leading up into the trees as well. In this picture, the trees are towering over the path and the trees, being on both sides of the path, gives a feeling of the embracement of man by nature again. The trees create a sort of shelter away from the sun that shines on the path and gives a feeling of protection of the people who walk on the path by nature, specifically the trees. The pavement just goes straight into the trees and looks as if the pavement is never ending. It also gives a feeling of serenity and peacefulness for a person walking on the pavement. At the same time, the pavement, disappearing into the trees, gives the impression of mysteriousness of nature, not knowing what to expect ahead. Yet, the mysteriousness that nature gives is not the kind which man fears but is one which man embraces and feels safe in as well. The connection between man and nature is established in this picture and can be seen as a idyllic escape for man, surrounded by the untainted beauty of nature.


Lee Chi Hang
2E/06