Look (2024)
Yiwa (Eva) He
8x10”
Black & White Film Photography
Look is a black-and-white photograph captured from a bird’s-eye view, offering a unique perspective on New York University’s Elmer Holmes Bobst Library lobby. Unlike the usual perception of the library’s opulent grandeur, this work focuses on subtle details and fleeting human interactions. It uncovers an alternative aesthetic within a familiar setting, inviting viewers to perceive the ordinary in extraordinary ways.
Bobst Library is more than just an architectural landmark—it is a stage for countless individual journeys. Whether hurrying to class or pausing in quiet reflection, each passerby contributes to the moments that unfold in this space. Light and shadow weave across the lobby, creating a narrative that reflects both the character of the building and its role in the lives of NYU students.
Through this photograph, the artist encourages viewers to reconsider the beauty often overlooked in their surroundings. The work evokes a sense of nostalgia, prompting us to appreciate spaces that quietly shape our lives. At its core, Look is a tribute to the fleeting, authentic moments of student life—a quiet farewell to a place that holds personal and collective meaning.
For many, Bobst Library represents a pivotal chapter—a space of beginnings, transitions, and growth. This piece poignantly reminds us that even the most ordinary environments can hold extraordinary significance if we truly take the time to see them.
Alt-Text:
A black-and-white bird's-eye view photograph of NYU's Bobst Library lobby. The image captures subtle details of fleeting human interactions and the interplay of light and shadow across the space. Passersby are scattered, each immersed in their journey, creating a rich tapestry of moments within the iconic architectural setting. The photograph invites viewers to find beauty in the ordinary and reflects the library's role as a space of reflection, growth, and transition for students. The work conveys nostalgia and celebrates the understated yet profound significance of everyday environments.
Yiwa (Eva) He is a multidisciplinary artist and designer with a passion for exploring the connections between technology, design, and human interaction. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Media Arts from New York University, with a minor in Studio Art, blending technical expertise with artistic expression.
Eva’s artistic journey reflects her dedication to pushing creative boundaries and challenging conventional narratives. Her work spans diverse mediums, including UX/UI design, digital fabrication, and interactive installations, showcasing her ability to merge innovative technology with aesthetic depth. Through her art, she aims to provoke thought and inspire audiences to reevaluate familiar concepts, offering immersive experiences that shift perspectives and foster new ways of seeing.
Artist Statement
As I embark on my final semester at New York University, this moment signifies not only the end of my college journey but also a profound reflection on my growth path. Over the past four years, my daily life has flowed like a gentle stream, filled with moments of laughter, tears, hope, and uncertainty. Every time I press the shutter, the frame captures the scene before me and a silent dialogue between myself and the passage of time.
Photography, to me, is a way of preserving time. Those seemingly ordinary moments may one day become the most vivid fragments of my memory, allowing me to revisit this irreplaceable chapter of my life. They will serve as precious mementos of my youth, a snapshot of a time I can never relive.