Yi – Aurora Photography Exhibition of Anthony Yau
“Easily transforming and variable; seemingly both near and far; colors and shapes, ever-changing! Primal fluctuation is the eternal law of Auroras!”
“Fading away of a flash, a split second of radiance, yet deeply immersed in my mind, it leaves behind an eternal memory!”
This is both my profound experience in shooting Auroras for many years, and the theme of this exhibition at HKUST – “Yi (易)”, meaning change and variable.
I shot the Aurora photos and videos displayed here during more than 20 visits around the world in the past seven years. They are arranged in five series to reveal the beauty and special qualities of Auroras.
(1) Yin and Yang
The most common northern lights are green, purple, and pink. One might say that green is a cold color, while red and purple are warm. The Aurora is cold in the midst of warmth, and warm in the midst of cold: warm and cold colors intertwine, just like Taiji in China. Yin and Yang complement each other, engender one another, and overcome one another.
(2) Transformation
An Aurora’s shape and color change thousands of times in the blink of an eye. It is possible to capture its gorgeous color and in a flawless moment; everything can transcend the imagination. The beauty of Auroras can make you gasp in amazement.
(3) Sudden Halos
Polar weather changes unpredictably. An Aurora suddenly breaks through, out of the clouds in a night sky, in the midst of darkness, exhibiting its furtive and dazzling rays of light.
(4) Aurora Star Trails
Light rays dance, while stars wheel and turn. When star trails meet up with Auroras, the scene captivates the heart and soul. The stunning miracle of shadow and light makes the observer speechless.
(5) Aurora Storm
An Aurora is completely encircled by the sky, starlight explodes, like a storm sweeping away the firmament; its dazzling beauty causes one to exclaim in admiration for nature’s magic and formidable strength.
I would like to thank the HKUST Library for its warm invitation to stage this exhibition and to give my sincere thanks to the Media Technology and Publishing Center for its work as a co-organizer.
Anthony Yau