Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Fear of Unknown

 2023 September

Alex Yu 

The last four images draw inspiration from an exhibition titled 'Fear of the Unknown' held at the Hawaii State Art Museum. These displays may not adhere to conventional standards of beauty or immediate visual appeal. Nevertheless, they delve into a concept rooted in Western aesthetics known as the "sublime." This concept suggests that when confronted with overpowering forces beyond comprehension or control, individuals experience a complex emotional response that lingers.

This response involves the dissolution of helplessness and fear, intermingled with a profound sense of beauty and awe. Thus, I embarked on crafting my own rendition of the 'Fear of the Unknown.' In this portrayal, the floating visages encircling the girl serve as symbolic representations of our concealed anxieties.