Artist Statement
Tonlé Sap Lake, nestled in the heart of Cambodia, is a vital stronghold for the nation's irrecoverable carbon reserves. While CI's mission statement emphasises a long-term vision for protecting these vital ecosystems, the organisation's immediate role includes practical initiatives such as harvesting seeds from existing trees and replanting them to mitigate deforestation and wildfires, and to maintain important restoration sites in affected areas.
As a visual artist deeply passionate about exploring the natural world, Tonlé Sap presented a new and challenging environment for me to express my vision. With guidance from the CI team, I delved into this constantly changing environment, aiming to tell a compelling story of the chaotic forces of nature and their profound impact on both the lake's ecosystems and the communities that inhabit its floating villages.
My approach is a reflection of my own perspective of the world around me. I employ a signature visual language characterised by dramatic lighting and contrast (what I sometimes refer to as ‘terrestrial chiaroscuro’), powerful compositions, and a perspective of time that stretches beyond what is usually referred to as the ’decisive moment’. With each image, I aim to capture the essence of Tonlé Sap's ever-changing landscape, conveying the power and beauty of nature's relentless cycles.
Through techniques such as long exposure, aerial lighting, and light painting, I aim to transport viewers into the spiritual heart of Tonlé Sap, inviting them to experience its rich flora and fauna.
The series of work also attempts to convey the dramatic fluctuations in water levels, brought about by the lake's seasonal wet and dry cycles. These fluctuations profoundly impact the trees and their surrounding ecosystem, shaping their growth patterns and resilience. Through evocative imagery, “Oscillations” shows the inherent dynamism and fragility of Tonlé Sap's ecosystem, as well as highlighting the urgent need for conservation and sustainable management practices.
The project also explores how the changing environment of Tonlé Sap directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of the local communities living in floating villages. Water levels rise and fall, fish are indiscriminately and often illegally caught, and precious forests are being lost to wildfire and agricultural expansion. The communities must adapt, navigating a delicate balance between resilience and vulnerability in the face of environmental uncertainty. In addition to their significant carbon content, the flooded forests serve as essential fish habitat for the communities, offering a sustainable source of fuelwood and non-timber forest products. They also provide crucial protection for floating villages, shielding them from the destructive forces of storm-driven wind and waves.
Through a visual exploration of this incredibly dynamic environment, “Oscillations” urges its viewers to appreciate the spiritual core and profound interconnectedness between nature and human society at Tonlé Sap. By showing the chaotic beauty of this region in such an unorthodox way, I hope this project helps to underscore the importance of preserving this invaluable natural resource for future generations.
Bio
Reuben Wu is a multidisciplinary artist who explores new ways of telling compelling stories about the world we inhabit.
His pioneering work with aerial lighting and long-exposure photography has helped redefine contemporary landscape photography and belongs in the permanent collections of the Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the MoMA.
His practice spans fine art and commercial collaborations with brands such as Apple and National Geographic Magazine.
Reuben lives in Chicago with his family.