honorable mention
Jung Hanjo korea, republic of
title
Han River Bridge
I like Han River, because it is so beautiful. I go out there for a walk often or have my picture taken. When I am there, I sometimes ask myself these questions. “How were the bridges seen by those who committed suicide?” “What did they see on the last day of their life?”
In such endless desperation without hope, in such empty feeling beyond anger towards and disappointment at the world, and in deep sorrow and depression, they ended their own life. To them, probably, the river was scary and the light of the world had faded, and the bridge was their last journey or tombstone. Nevertheless, the Han River and the bridges would have seen as beautiful, still. Who on earth saw such a cruel and harsh world?
I had my picture taken, trying to understand their desperation. I took many photos crossing the Han River bridges. I used photographic techniques to create a gloomy atmosphere in the photos and at the same time tried not to miss the beauty. But having all photos taken, I was absorbed in thought in front of many photos that were spread in front of me. Can I draw what they saw? Those who are alive as well as I cannot draw it clearly. We just feel the futility of life. Rather, they seem to teach us empty life deeply.
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entry description
Han River is a representative river in Korea and runs through Seoul, capital city. As there are not only beautiful parks but also bike path and recreational facilities around the river, the river draws many Seoulites. On the other hand, Han River sometimes looks really depressed. Korea ranks at the top for suicide rates among OECD countries. Ironically, the place where suicide is committed a lot is on the Han River Bridge.I like Han River, because it is so beautiful. I go out there for a walk often or have my picture taken. When I am there, I sometimes ask myself these questions. “How were the bridges seen by those who committed suicide?” “What did they see on the last day of their life?”
In such endless desperation without hope, in such empty feeling beyond anger towards and disappointment at the world, and in deep sorrow and depression, they ended their own life. To them, probably, the river was scary and the light of the world had faded, and the bridge was their last journey or tombstone. Nevertheless, the Han River and the bridges would have seen as beautiful, still. Who on earth saw such a cruel and harsh world?
I had my picture taken, trying to understand their desperation. I took many photos crossing the Han River bridges. I used photographic techniques to create a gloomy atmosphere in the photos and at the same time tried not to miss the beauty. But having all photos taken, I was absorbed in thought in front of many photos that were spread in front of me. Can I draw what they saw? Those who are alive as well as I cannot draw it clearly. We just feel the futility of life. Rather, they seem to teach us empty life deeply.
about the photographer
He is a Korean photographer and photo critic. He majored in fine art and photography in Hongik University, Korea and got a doctor’s degree in Art Plastic. He is the first doctor in photography in Korea and now teaching students in universities while working as photographer and photo critic. Furthermore, he has published many books and photo albums, for example , , and .back to gallery
