"E" is my experimental artistic exploration of visual perception, cultural critique, and the construction of truth in society. Building on the themes of my "Low Vision" series and extending from the work "E·F·B·P," it delves into the modern societal issues of visual culture, the subjectivity of perception, and the authenticity of information.

 

In this piece, I utilize a woven eye chart with the letter "E" oriented in different directions as the core visual element. This serves not only as a metaphor for my personal visual impairments but also as a deep reflection on the dominant role of vision in modern culture. "E" uses the eye chart, a common and standardized visual testing tool, to suggest the standardization and patterning of visual perception, highlighting the overlooked individual differences and subjective experiences.

 

In the interactive video, viewers trigger a visual transformation by covering one eye with a handheld eye occluder. Initially, a harmonious scene depicts coexistence among humans, animals, and plants, presenting a utopian natural balance. However, this serene façade is shattered by viewer interaction, revealing the brutal reality hidden behind harmony. The scene abruptly transitions to chaos and violence, with only humans surviving in a land strewn with corpses. This design reflects the tension and contradictions between appearance and essence, surface and depth in the real world.

 

The woven eye chart in "E" symbolizes the construction of information and truth in contemporary society. In the information age, the core issue I explore in "E" is how media and technology shape our understanding and perception of the world. This work hints at how information and truth are manufactured and processed to fit specific narrative frameworks and power structures. Like the differently oriented letters "E" arranged in a pyramid-like fashion, only those with clear enough vision to discern the lower layers have adequate sight. This is not just a metaphor for visual impairment but a reflection on the status of vision as a dominant sense in modern culture, and the individual differences and subjective experiences that might be overlooked in this process.

 

"E" presents a multi-layered visual and perceptual experience. The interactive behavior of the viewers not only alters the presentation of the video content but also reflects their agency and passivity in interpreting and understanding information. This design emphasizes the dynamic relationship between viewers and media content and how individuals passively receive or actively deconstruct and reconstruct information. Additionally, "E" implies the limitations and subjectivity of vision and perception. By reinterpreting and recreating the eye chart, the work reveals how visual perception is influenced by social, cultural background, personal experience, and contextual factors, and points to a critique of anthropocentrism. The long-standing view of humans as being on top of the food chain of the world has led to ruthless exploitation of the environment and disregard for other life forms. This is not just an indictment of environmental destruction but also a revelation of human brutality and selfishness.

 

In summary, by transforming the traditional eye chart into a multi-layered artistic and interactive experience, "E" is not only an exploration of personal visual impairment but also a profound reflection on visual culture, the authenticity of information, and the subjectivity of perception in modern society. Through this work, I aim to inspire viewers to contemplate how we view the world, how we are viewed by the world, and how information and truth are constructed and deconstructed in this process.