The Disappearing 

In ancient Indian wisdom, there was a saying: "We had been moving too fast and had to wait for our souls to catch up." We find ourselves in an era of rapid human civilization, where the relentless pace and overexploitation exact a devastating toll on both our ecological environment and our souls. Xiatong Cai's art book showcases ten experimental photographs taken in 2023. Each photograph is shrouded in a colossal halo, representing an overwhelming force—be it a natural disaster or a life challenge—that seems to engulf the insignificant subject within the frame, rendering it inescapable.

In his ten photographic works, Cai captures the feeling of powerlessness in the face of rapid development's impact on the human psyche and the environment. He emphasizes the smallness and vulnerability of individuals within this larger context, urging us to reconsider the connection between human society and nature, as well as the effects on individuals who are caught between the two.

Cai documents forgotten landscapes with his camera, finding a form of spiritual redemption. What sets him apart from his contemporaries is his focus not on the beauty of natural landscapes, but on those forgotten vistas. He bestows upon them new narratives and a sense of rebirth.

 -- Siyu Gao

Siyu Gao is an independent curator living in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.