Suomeksi / English
Today, Tomorrow and the Tales from the Wind
A project that explores the interplay between nature and humanity in the Anthropocene era. It re-imagines a delicate fable-like utopia based on the current living realities.
Text & Sound: Timjune Tianjun Li
Photography: Timjune Tianjun Li
December 15, 2023
"Today, Tomorrow, and the Tales from the Wind" is an ongoing photography-sound project that explores the interplay between nature and humanity in the Anthropocene era. The project re-imagines a delicate fable-like utopia based on the current living realities. Comprising a series of photographs and an experimental soundtrack album, this project centers on the artistic exploration of diverse regions, encompassing natural landscapes, human activities, regional folklore, and cultural heritages.
In the creation of "Today, Tomorrow, and the Tales from the Wind", I strive to capture and express the multifaceted emotions associated with grief in the face of ecological degradation. In the Finland edition, the series of photographs takes on new life as layers of natural and artificial visual metaphors intertwine, bringing forth a mesmerizing tapestry. These metaphors, captured during sensory field trips and within the realm of everyday life in Finland, evoke a delicate interplay between reality and imagination.
The accompanying experimental soundtrack album is a symphony of sounds collected from the Finnish natural realm, encompassing the whispers of wind, the melodies of birds, the rugged resonance of rocks, and the ethereal echoes of the sea. Interspersed within this sonic tapestry are the vibrant rhythms of human activities—helicopter flights, footsteps, the hum of machines, and the spoken word. Additionally, my improvisational singing vocals establish an intimate connection with the natural soundscapes, weaving together a tapestry of sensory experiences.
Audio: Listen to the audios when experiencing the piece.
About “Grief”: The Loss of Hometown, and the delicate ecological future
Having grown up in a residential area on the outskirts of a bustling southern Chinese city, I developed a profound love for nature that was nurtured by the enchanting woods surrounding my childhood home. These woods, once majestic and serene, witnessed the decay of the neighborhood as it succumbed to the relentless march of factories and real estate developments. The loss I experienced upon my return to the area after the pandemic was a catalyst for my exploration of grief and its complex relationship with the world we inhabit.
A relocation to Finland provided a contrasting perspective, as I marveled at the abundance of urban forests, among the finest in the world. However, this newfound admiration was tinged with a sobering realization that even these forested realms were not immune to the encroachments of urban planning. It was through engaging with passionate activists mourning the loss of forests and nature that I became acutely aware of the urgent need to confront the challenges we face. Their anguish served as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of environmental decline and the disappearance of nature, prompting me to delve deeper into the perils of our current epoch, the Anthropocene.
Timjune Tianjun Li (He/Them) is a visual artist, photographer, musician, a bird, and a daydreamer.
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By Tania Nathan
[ENGLISH]
My utopia is a testament to love, an ode to the pursuit of freedom, and an edifice free from the stain of colonial specters like hegemony, hierarchies, and violence.
[ENGLISH] [SUOMEKSI]
The scent wrapped around her, earthy and ethereal. With each passing moment, as her senses sharpened and the haze of sleep lifted, the scent of espand became more familiar, more comforting.
[ENGLISH] [SUOMEKSI]