/⠀E L L E N⠀ O G O Y: RE: Before The First Class...

/ THE FIRST THREE THINGS

0 1 My best piece of creative work before coming into this course

"The migrant identity is one that is undergoing a constant state of liminality - 'the transitional phase of a rite of passage, during which the participant lacks a defined social status'.

- Ellen Ogoy, 2019

This was the focus of my HSC Visual Arts major work, which was a short film comprising of a series of animated line drawings. The notion of liminality, or the state of 'in-between', was a concept I discovered early in my HSC year which soon resonated deeply within me as I reflected upon my own experiences growing up as a Filipino immigrant in Australia — experiences which marked the identity of myself and other immigrants as ‘imports’ and ‘exotically other’. Through visual storytelling of a surreal narrative, Nomadic Dance invites the audience to embark on a similar liminal experience undergone by migrant identities, and hence aims to help build empathy towards the immigrant life, rather than abruptly confronting preconceived assumptions.

Most interesting about this film is the way in which the element of water impacts the experience of the koi fish protagonist. Initially, the safety of its home is found in the very waters which give him life. Later however, upon leaving this home and entering the alien realm above him, the same water which was at first peaceful and a guarantor of safety, returns as an enemy force in the form of a great rainstorm. It is there, above water, when he adapts to his new environment by transforming into a fowl that he becomes trapped and attacked in his liminal state. Much like us Asian immigrants, which are neither the country that birthed us nor the country that welcomed us as one of their own, but rather both countries equally and simultaneously.

https://ellenclaudineogoy.wixsite.com/folio/01-nomadic-dance

0 2 An image of a great piece of architecture

"Architecture begins to matter when it goes beyond protecting us from the elements, when it begins to say something about the world - when it begins to take on qualities of art".

- Paul Goldberger, 'Why Architecture Matters' (Book)

'Guest House in Kyoto' by B.L.U.E. Studios is inspiring to me as it demonstrates how architecture doesn't necessarily have to be large iconic landmarks such as the Opera House in order to be 'great'. As Paul Goldberger once said, "Architecture begins to matter when it goes beyond protecting from the elements, when it begins to say something about the world."

To me, 'Guest House in Kyoto' says a lot about Japan today. Much like the notion of liminality within immigrant identities explored in my HSC film, the liminal nature of contemporary Japan is captured in this architectural project by blending both the traditional and modern Japanese elements in architectural design. Described as a 'hybridism' by the architects, this project aims to "lead people to experience the trace of different era of Japan in this house".

Many choices were made in renovating the house in this way, including reusing the original wooden planks of the old home to "reflect the house’s historical emotion". Most interesting to note is the inclusion of a large "purely modern style tunnel" at the main entrance, which extends outside to the street, inside the house and the courtyard at the back of the house. This tunnel acts as a gateway, or a lens, for those passing by to gain insight into the memoir of Kyoto culture - the traditional courtyard garden.

0 3 An original photograph of something beautiful

This is a photo I had taken at Coffs Harbour last year while on a family road trip. Those that know me well know that I have a thing for pink skies and sunsets. Something about them makes me feel a certain way, especially when accompanied by crashing waves at the beach and salty foam greeting the sandy shore. Not only is it unarguably aesthetically beautiful - with the sky's natural gradient of all of my favourite warm colours and hues, and the sun's light reciprocating against the reflection atop the waves, I think (as with everything in this world) there is a much deeper beauty found in sunsets. Through the lens of Christianity, sunsets can be viewed as a sign of God's grace and endless love. Although we make mistakes and walk imperfectly today, sunsets can be God's gentle reminder that while today will end, the sun will rise again tomorrow and we can keep trying to be better. And for those who aren't Christian, sunsets can be the universe itself cheering us on and reminding us to keep trying no matter what, the same way the universe and the solar system works to bring us a rising sun every morning.

I think there's a true sense of beauty in that.