The Gaze Beneath
This series captures the goldfish exhibition at Ginza Mitsukoshi Aquarium in Japan, a meticulously curated display that reflects the nation's pursuit of order and aesthetic perfection. Having lived in Japan for two years, I became increasingly aware of how societal structures shape individual behavior. The exhibition, with its precisely arranged fish tanks, mirrors the way Japanese society values harmony, uniformity, and controlled beauty.
The goldfish, selectively bred to fit aesthetic ideals, exist within a confined yet visually enchanting environment—an analogy for individuals adapting to societal expectations. As an observer, I saw parallels between my own experience of assimilation and the controlled nature of the exhibition. The fish exist to be watched, yet in their gaze, I sense an awareness, a silent question of agency.
By framing the goldfish in moments of stillness, movement, and direct eye contact, this series explores the tension between conformity and individuality, the seen and unseen, and the dynamic between observer and observed. Are we merely watching, or are we also being watched? Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on their own roles within structured social systems.
這組攝影作品誕生於我在日本生活的兩年間，透過金魚展這一特殊場景，記錄並反思日本社會對秩序、美學與個體存在的影響。日本社會高度重視「有序美學」，從城市規劃、社交禮儀到藝術展覽，無不展現對規則與和諧的追求。金魚展中的金魚經過嚴格選育與策劃，被分類、排列，成為觀看的對象，這與日本社會對個體的規範不謀而合——個體被期待順應集體意識，融入既定框架，而非純粹地展現自我。
關於金魚的「凝視」，當它們直視鏡頭時，彷彿與觀者建立了一種無聲的對視關係，這讓我聯想到自己作為外來者在日本社會中的經歷——被觀看，也在觀看。我意識到，在這個社會中，個體既是觀看者，也是被觀看的對象，這種雙向觀看無形中影響著個體的行為選擇與自我表達。這組作品試圖探討，在美學與秩序的極致之下，個體如何尋找自身的定位——是順應，還是掙脫？
This series captures the goldfish exhibition at Ginza Mitsukoshi Aquarium in Japan, a meticulously curated display that reflects the nation's pursuit of order and aesthetic perfection. Having lived in Japan for two years, I became increasingly aware of how societal structures shape individual behavior. The exhibition, with its precisely arranged fish tanks, mirrors the way Japanese society values harmony, uniformity, and controlled beauty.
The goldfish, selectively bred to fit aesthetic ideals, exist within a confined yet visually enchanting environment—an analogy for individuals adapting to societal expectations. As an observer, I saw parallels between my own experience of assimilation and the controlled nature of the exhibition. The fish exist to be watched, yet in their gaze, I sense an awareness, a silent question of agency.
By framing the goldfish in moments of stillness, movement, and direct eye contact, this series explores the tension between conformity and individuality, the seen and unseen, and the dynamic between observer and observed. Are we merely watching, or are we also being watched? Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on their own roles within structured social systems.
這組攝影作品誕生於我在日本生活的兩年間，透過金魚展這一特殊場景，記錄並反思日本社會對秩序、美學與個體存在的影響。日本社會高度重視「有序美學」，從城市規劃、社交禮儀到藝術展覽，無不展現對規則與和諧的追求。金魚展中的金魚經過嚴格選育與策劃，被分類、排列，成為觀看的對象，這與日本社會對個體的規範不謀而合——個體被期待順應集體意識，融入既定框架，而非純粹地展現自我。
關於金魚的「凝視」，當它們直視鏡頭時，彷彿與觀者建立了一種無聲的對視關係，這讓我聯想到自己作為外來者在日本社會中的經歷——被觀看，也在觀看。我意識到，在這個社會中，個體既是觀看者，也是被觀看的對象，這種雙向觀看無形中影響著個體的行為選擇與自我表達。這組作品試圖探討，在美學與秩序的極致之下，個體如何尋找自身的定位——是順應，還是掙脫？
©Syan Hu • Soft Sect Theme by Cargo