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I like to see it forge the Thunderstorms
2023-ongoing, by Yuyang Liu
This is an ongoing project that explores the complex and ever-changing relationship between the natural world we inhabit and the energy and technology on which humanity depends.
The title is inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem I like to see it lap the Miles, written around 1862, which vividly depicts the immense power and motion of trains during the Industrial Revolution. Lightning, thunder, and storms are among nature’s most magnificent and violent forces—symbols of turmoil both in human history and contemporary society. Their hidden power doesn’t simply pass through, it reshapes everything it encounters.
Since the Paleolithic age, human civilization has continually sought to understand and harness the connection between nature and energy, a relationship of profound historical significance. From harnessing fire for protection and cooking to James Watt’s invention of the steam engine, society has evolved, reshaping our interactions with the natural world. The Industrial Revolution and subsequent technological advancements have granted us unprecedented energy transformation capabilities, from electricity and nuclear power to artificial intelligence. These innovations have not only improved our quality of life but have also profoundly impacted social structures, economic dynamics, and geopolitics.
Yet, humanity’s pursuit of energy is unending, and progress comes at a cost. As we witness environmental destruction, we also grapple with the challenges of climate change. Meanwhile, we stand at the center of transformation, witnessing how technology not only imitates but also redefines the natural world. The artificial environments we construct continue to reshape our very perception of nature. We have forged—and forged—thunderstorms time and again.
I am drawn to the complexity of this era. Through these images, audios, and videos, I document scenes and individuals that illustrate the transformation of energy and its relationship with the natural world. Through narratives of geography and history, reality and simulation, modern entertainment and aesthetics, I aim to provoke reflection on climate change and environmental sustainability—issues that are deeply intertwined with our collective future and the lives of generations to come. The thunderstorms, though fierce, are part of the greater cycle of energy. They can drive creation—or, in unseen ways, disrupt ecological balance and forge another silent thunderstorm.
Ongoing Project
项目进行时
Selected News精选动态
Bio简介
Yuyang Liu first picked up a camera at 15 documenting his teenage life. First self taught, he won the Magnum Fellowship in 2014 and went on to study photography in NYC.
His patience, sincerity and unique eye for documentary photography have brought attention to various themes around the world including daily life in northeast Asia, fisherman in west Africa, and the massive urbanization of China. He was on a jury of ADC 98th Annual Awards in photography, was selected emerging photographer of PDN 30 in 2017. His work has been published in domestic and international media and exhibited in galleries in China, Europe and America.
His commercial work includes campaigns for the likes of Adidas, Allianz, Airbnb, Apple, HSBC, Jordan, JD, Nike, OLAY, Pandora, Universal Beijing Resorts, etc.