Ricky L. Tsui

ENG OA1-01

29 November 1999

David Hume suggests that we gain knowledge through the experiences we obtain through our five senses. He believes when we are born we have no knowledge about anything, we only "learn" what we know through experience; Thus, there is no such thing as "innate knowledge" or "basic instinct". Hume believes that the experience we have through our fives sense can have two effects upon us: a simple impression or a complex impression. Through experience and the impression formed from that experience one is able to reflect upon the impression and spawn new ideas from the impression. Most of the experiences we have create a simple impression. After reflecting upon this simple impression one begins to create complex ideas. For example, hearing a distant "bang"; The actual experience of hearing this noise creates a simple impression. The corresponding complex ideas could be thoughts of: Deaths, robbery, gang violence, etc. Similarly, complex impressions generally have corresponding simple ideas. An example of this is a university, the impression I have of a university is that it is large, old, strong, wise, humble, graceful, thought provoking. The corresponding simple idea I have is that it is a stage of life all must go through in order to be successful in life. A more in depth application of Hume's belief is examined when I experience and analyse the modern contemporary art work of Juan Geuer.

Juan Geuer's Present Tense uses many scientific instruments such as lasers, microscopes, seismometers, etc. to examine our relationship with the natural world around us. One of Geuer's more famous works depicts a laser being fired upon someone's shadow. My first impression of this work was that of visual fascination. At first it seemed to me that it was a "laser/light" show; In which the artist uses many fancy "gismos" to distract us, which is very common in today's society. Hume suggests that this simple impression of Geuer's "Present Tense" may cause my mind to relate to abstract complex ideas that reflect upon my own life. That is, by breaking down the individual segments that make up this image, I may reflect upon each individual segment and relate it to my ideas.

After reflecting upon the image for elapsed time of approximately one week, I have found that I have not reached a life-changing, mind-opening revelation. However, I have found several segments of this image which applies to what I have learned from the ENG OA1 course and to my own life. One of these segments is the laser itself; The laser represents the technological society of today. Recently the laser has become the most advanced piece of technology we have in our world today, the scientific applications of the laser have grown at an exponential rate since it was first invented. Since the laser is such a popular scientific instrument in today's society, I feel that it is a perfect icon for the world of technology in today's society. The shadow on the backdrop represents the world of illusions (shadows) which everyone in our society dwell in. The combined image displays our relationship with the world in today's society. We use artificial recreations of the natural elements to amuse ourselves as we live, blinded of the truth, in the world of illusions. When looking at where the laser is being fired, one can see a strong biblical reference made. The laser is fired into the loin of the individual where God took a rib from Adam to create Eve. The significance of this reference is that it suggests that the technological world has replaced the role of God, artificially altering nature allowing the technology to create new life, perform miracles, and gives us a false sense of being "in-touch" with the world.

Although Juan Geuer's "Present Tense" has not brought me to a higher level of being, I have found that his work helped me to better understand our relationship with the world through the use of technology, and the dangers that we face when we allow technology to replace God. Maybe this is my revelation, the ability to analyse and apply the characteristics of a piece of artwork to my ideas and philosophies. In which case I have moved onto a higher level of being and understanding.

Source: Art Gallery of Ontario Web Site.