Questions to ask myself when making work (photographing) - (Consequently, I will know what I want to do for the year)

 - Why I am making a project on my friend, Jiawei? Why always her? (the artist's muse)

Because we are quite similar, we share similar practices and interests that are linked to spirituality, meditation and mindfulness. 

Making a project on a somebody else who is quite similar like me, makes me think that I am making a project on myself (partially, like a part of myself and what I do and how I see life, and on the other hand,  focus on the life of another girl like me who has a unique life and does different things in life and perceive life in another way, but at the end we can find some similar interests like spirituality, meditation and yoga, as well as life philosophy). 

Why always her? Because, that's one of the only people that I kept in touch and clicked with since last year where we met at the meditation club at the University of Auckland. And I think she's the only person that I found the more quiet in the meditation club. She is calm and quiet. In some ways, this reminds me of myself as I find myself quiet and reserved, as some people say too. I remember last year she told me that she likes being alone but that she likes being with people. And I said likewise because I felt the same, as I got along well with people at the meditation club that are like-minded people so of course this is a very good environment for both of us. I remember we enjoy ourselves so much when going to this club.

It is like a bit of reflection or mirror for myself, as we are quite similar on spiritual interests and perception of life. 

We also have the same age. Usually this is very rare that I hang out with young people, of people of the same age as me (I think this is because of different levels of consciousness, of being aware of one's life), but I think that's the only person I clicked with who shares similar meditative interests and practices. I would say I've always hung out with much older people than me.



- At the end of the year, what is it that I want? 

I want to show a work that communicates peace, serenity, flow of life, letting go of things that we can't control in one's life. I want to show relaxation, rest, and an aspiration for a better, healthier and peaceful life. 

I want to show/produce pictures that show these.



- What makes me want to go back to see her all the time and photograph her? 

- to take better photos of her meditating, doing yoga, etc. 

- seeing good photos showing how to have a better, healthier and mindful life/lifestyle

- looks like she's really into what she does (yoga, meditation, etc), looks like she's one with what she's doing, looks like she's focused in what she's doing and doesn't think of anything else. 

- I'm interested in people. I like that people are changing and show different aspects/facets of themselves physically but also internally expressing outwardly what is within. I like to see how unique everyone is and this person interests me because some of the things she does, I do. I find myself comfortable and happy when I am with like-minded people, because I have no conflicts with them (same diet, almost same life philosophy, similar ideas on spirituality, God, meditation, and reflection on life). When I spend time with people that does not share the same interests as well as well as diet, I find so much negativity and conflicts with such people. However, when I am with like-minded people like Jiawei, I am well, comfortable with people like when I am with myself, alone. I also feel no judgement put on myself by anyone. It is as if there's heaven on earth where criticism does exist and that I am among people that are like me, therefore peace is here (in socialization).

- I like her serene face when she does meditation and does yoga with the prayer pose. Her face is very serene (mentally calm) when she does her practices. I think it brings calmness to anyone when we see her face is such a state of meditation. Therefore the viewer is also in this state of meditation, of serenity, tranquility. 

- She is quiet, or at least seem whenever I am with her. I want to show this quietness as well in my pictures. That's why I like stills, photographs, because photos cannot speak, but I think that just by seeing her tranquil face, the picture of it embodies, speaks tranquility, serenity.




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