The Black Box

My attention was drawn most strongly to the analogy of Plato’s cave after viewing the whole of Lecture Seven. Reflecting back, the previous chosen artwork of Experiment One - Fiona Hall’s ‘Castle in the Air of the Cave-Dwellers’ ideas were based on Plato’s cave allegory.

There are two different realms in this image, first one as the outside world (where three men are standing), and the second one as inside the cave. Then, we also see to different groups of people inside the cave – one group of prisoners confined by their ability to see only shadows casted by real objects, the other group who sees and recognizes the sources (burning fire and puppets) that forms the shadows on the wall. There is a strong suggestion that men gain a heightened understanding of what they perceive when they step out from the confines of the wall and gaze upon the source of their former beliefs which were set on tentative grounds.

There is an exit leading to the outside world where humans get to see the reality of the world and not just things that resemble the outside world. For example, when humans blinded by darkness for a long time steps out and sees the Sun, they will be blinded initially, however, they will gain a true apprehension of the true form of Being and existence. The inner cave signifies a realm of Becoming. People who have been enlightened outside, when wanting to share their experiences at the outside world to the prisoners, may be struck blind by the totality of darkness, and may be regarded as unsound by the prisoners.

This image relates to my project development in a way that I endeavor to show that there are no barriers when entering from the lighter to darker spaces and vice versa. There will be different experiences when entering into different realms of brightness contrast, but they will be able to engage in both realms and enjoy the aura of the spaces.


Image Source: Erika Kruger, The Black Box: The Concealed Room, Slide 12, ftp://emustore.fbe.unsw.edu.au/Resources/samples/Arch/ARCH1101%20-%20Lowe/Lecture_Seven_The_Black_Box/


Jabez Ho