The truth as one sees
Jul 5th, 2007 by Tian
The Last Supper, who were they in the picture?
Dear friends,
Thank you for all your comments on my blog. Hat up to those who are concerned for the authenticity of photography. However authenticity and truth are not quite the same. I wish more people in the society show equal concern for truth than mere authenticity.
My blog has been running for a year now, and no writing has drawn so much debate and attention as my recent post “French dinner for 3â€. It is the most viewed post of my blog. But unfortunately it is probably the least understood.
Many asked me what was my “strategy� Well, if there were to be a strategy, then I shall remain silent, otherwise there will be no strategy.
In practice, I always publish my formal stand on issues in party’s official website or party publications, and leave the part on political strategy to the collective wisdom of the party leadership. My blog is a universe of my own. Here I put forward my activities and thought for sharing with readers who are interested in my private/public life.
I must confess that my first passion is not politics but art, in particularly drawing. Some of you may have already concluded that I am a lousy politician. Politics is definitely not my best talent. My political activism is the burden of responsibility rather than work driven by passion.
To connect to this issue, let me say something about my philosophical view on art:
The early history of modern art is dominated by a style known as “Realismâ€. Realist paintings reached its peak during the Renaissance. Artists of those days, e.g. Leonardo da Vinci earned a living by inserting faces of wealthy patrons in their paintings—normally based on biblical themes. In fact, these artists spent most of their life copying work of their grandmasters.
The only creative part in the artists’ work was the placement of their patrons (who were also buyers) in the paintings. How far the patrons would be seated from Jesus Christ depended on the sum of payment. Some art scholars suggested that the Apostles in the Last Supper were indeed the faces of the painting patron-sponsors.
Realist art went out of fashion with the invention of camera. Who wants to buy painting which looks exactly like photograph? Then Impressionism, Surrealism, Dadaism and various trends of art emerged one after another. Come painters like Dali, Picasso etc, art became increasingly liberated from the rigidity of forms.
The movement of photography art went through the same trail. The art of photography aimed to pursue the true representation of reality. From black-and-white to colour photography, camera technology raced to attain the power to capture images as authentic as our eyes see them.
At the end, the rise of digital technology subverted or derailed this track of development. Digital images can now represent reality beyond the limits of space and time.
At the end, photography and painting have the same ability to represent or misrepresent reality. But visual reality or the representation of visual reality does not necessarily lead us to the truth. The faculty to recognize truth is the mind—but not the eyes.
OK enough of philosophical jargons. Back to the picture: one can instantly notice it was a distortion even in the first glance. Strangely in the misrepresentation, we still recognize the truth hidden from our (political) reality.
In my digital representation, it seems, all people were able to see what their eyes cannot see. They could see what the picture does not show, have people already intuited the truth?
I always have faith in people, nobody is stupid.
“all people were able to see what their eyes cannot see. “, it seems it was not the “picture” that led to “what their eyes cannot see” as it is not something new, but what draw the crowd and the comments were the thing “all people were able to see with their eyes”
… you’re high, aren’t you.
hooray to yr brilliant strategy of misleading the eyes to mislead then lead da eyes and mind !
Dear Tian Chua ,
Your fundamental thinking is wrong. How can you justify that you intend to convey your underlying message by doctoring a picture with the victim in a high-profile murder case ? Please do show some respect to the death.
The most painful part of 911 incident was not losing someone you loved , but was the flashbacked news that constantly showed on the media that reminded us about the incident. Again , please do not use the victim as the stake of your political plot.
In shot , there was neither humor nor right message conveyed through the doctored picture. I see no truth in the picture and your act is bordering to deception and dishonesty
Go back to your first passion , be an artist , as you confessed that political career is a burden to you , make yourself happy by painting but not doctoring fake pictures. You will probably able to deliver your message through your painting in future
Tian:
I agree you are indeed asking viewers to see the Truth through the mind on top of seeing through their eyes. I wsih there are more philosophers than politicians among our Malaysian people — then I believe NegaraKu would not be in such a mess. We can do with more soul searching among ourselves so that we can discern beyond the surface message of three people having a French dinner — it’s a tete-A-tete of any combination of three people, enanged in a simple meal, or in the darkest conspiracy that mankind can descend into when certain forces will it; but you are right that “intuition” sometimes works magic in arriving at the truth of the matter more than sighting a photograph showing the easily IDed protagonists because modern technology has enabled more artistic fakery than mere words can conjure.
“They could see what the picture does not show, have people already intuited the truth?” Right dare with you:)!
[...] this in the morning was a much ‘lighter’ hearted experience
Especially for those of us [...]
WHy people said “have respect for the dead” (the earlier post comments, and now again Overlord), when the picture of the lady is NOT altantuya.
[...] has a ‘passion’ for art realism, T.C.’s explanation in his latest posting, using ‘The Last Supper‘ analogy was also done in bad taste. J.C. would be turning in [...]
Minds work in different ways for different people. Well, I understand your craftiness.
If Tunku Razaleigh could be mocked for “wearing a cross” by the BN, why is there so much hue and cry over this pix.
and this is my take of observations of ‘truth’..
if it doesn’t take much at all (as is obvious by the reaction to the photo) for people to be riled up, then why do we still have the government that we do, till today? Why aren’t these screaming people calling for and end to the massive corruption of government leaders/IGP/police officers?
Why aren’t they screaming and calling an end to the unjust justice/education systems?
Why aren’t they leaving comments in inboxes BN leaders about the high toll prices or the lack of libraries and schools for the poor?
It’s very very obvious from this whole fiasco, Mr. Tian Chua that Malaysians are like pots calling the kettle black.. Let’s redirect our focus to the REAL issue here, and channel our energetic anger and frustration against those in power… demanding truths and authenticity in their words and political actions and motives.
“I wish more people in the society show equal concern for truth than mere authenticity.”
Unfortunately in the case of an alleged photo, authenticity and truth are one and the same.
There are those who do self-effacing parody, in which the fakeness of something is suitably overblown to the point where the executor of such parody portrays himself as a very unassuming and unintelligent believer in the error/fake. But it has one qualification: The error/fake has to be blown out of proportions so as to ensure that the audience understands that the false belief is absolutely an act and as such a parody.
So basically, you either speak completely seriously and take the photo as authentic, or you show absurdness in your fervent belief that the photo is real so that the audience understands it’s a parody.
What you did in your post was a half-hearted, half-assed effort of sitting on the fence, portending to be serious in a real manner instead of faked seriousness so as not too show any absurdity. In short, your writing is like it’s trying to tell people you truly, in a I-kid-you-not manner, believe the photo to be true. In thus, the root of all your problems.
Forget the interpretations along historical art lines. You should not be expecting your audience to cycle along your line of thought, but instead, you should tailor your writings to fit snugly to what your audience expects. That’s what politics and spreading the message is all about.
If there is any risk at all of commiting a faux pas, avoid it. Don’t expect to wing it.
cheers
To ANONY , you wrote ” when the picture of the lady is NOT altantuya.”
Whether the lady is Altantuya is irrelavant as the intention was done in bad faith ! Putting a photo other than Altantuya stiil does not mean that we have no ground to comdemn Mr Chua
Instead of defending and justifying the action by showing us Jesus and Judas and Yellowsubmarine, Mr Chua could have just shows his sincere apology by holding a press conference. Damage control should be carried out swiftly in vew of the on-comming general election
No point to twist further as further justification on an unjustifiable matter will only shows his arrogance and coward
Apparently There Was Some Thought…
Earlier this morning, I posted some brief thoughts about Tian Chua’s episode with the spoofed photograph and I mentioned that I didn’t know what Tian was thinking when he did it. Now it seems that apparently there was some thought……
I’m just wondering if there’s anything to apologise here? The fact remains that a lot of blogosphere had made a mountain out of a molehill and we got caught flat-footed.
Dear TC,
You stated that your blog has never generated such interest as your current posting “Frend Dinner for 3″.
I wish to clarify; Are you saying that you are happy that by using a doctored image (without qualifying that the same is doctored until a day later), you are generating interest in your blog??? I hope not!
The contents of this latest post “the truth as one sees” seems to be an attempt by you to furnish some weak justification for your irresponsible act. You even seem to try to digress and avoid the main issue i.e you irresponsible act of posting a doctored image of the deceased!
By the way, I do hope that my earlier comment on 3/7/2007 to your post “French Dinner for 3″ was inadvertently deleted. Nonetheless, for the benefit of all, I am reproducing my earlier comments and…would you apologise for that irresponsible act?
“Dear Tian Chua,
It is my view that posting a doctored photo of the trio is irresponsible and can be construed as disrespect to the deceased regardless of the point you intended to raise or to be put across. I am dissapointed!
I hope you will have the courage, intergrity and the decency to tender an apology to the deceased, her family and even to both razak and najib. (Although I am not a supporter of Najib but any person doesn’t deserve such a move from you) Respect his human right as you have constantly preaches. Najib has a right not to be manipulated in such a degrading manner. If you have the real picture, then by all means post it but don’t resort to such uncalled for tactics! You are implicating najib and razak based on a pice of doctored evidence. I am not sure whether such act on your part tantamounts so subjudice in view of the on going trial.
Please..I implore you to tender an unreserved apology to all to salvage your credibility as a sincere opposition member/NGO.
Thanks “
Tian Chua wrote : one can instantly notice it was a distortion even in the first glance. Strangely in the misrepresentation, we still recognize the truth hidden from our (political) reality.
In my digital representation, it seems, all people were able to see what their eyes cannot see. They could see what the picture does not show, have people already intuited the truth?
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You based your doctored picture on speculations. What if someone doctored a picture of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a compromising (homosexual nature) position with Sukma Dramawan? Would you say it is acceptable because the Courts have admitting the fact that both of them indeed indulged in such deeds?
why for this dinner picture people so emotional and seriously thought it’s a sin?
personally, i enjoy the show with great respect to their creativity of using DTP artist skill. recently, I’ve seen the funniest joke’s picture of Najib making out with Ms Luhlian doctored by my friend, Mob. -:D
PKR have lost their credibility, there is nothing left for them,
just a bunch of liars left in the party. it’s over period.
Dear Tian,
Bravo to your intellectual sharing. Don’t be affected by those hypocrite moral crusaders whose talks continue to be cheap while at least your action continue to be much much louder than all those arm-chair comforters and middle-class comfort zoners.
Long live the struggle, for the TRUTH for it is mightier than all. The truth lives, while human are mere transient creature in which so many are too scared to step out of their BN make-believe zones.
if you like art, be an artist… dont meddle with politics.
Dear TC,
I must now apologise for my error. My earlier posting was not deleted. It was in reply to your post “Humor” rather than “French Dinner for 3″.
I hereby tender my most sincere and unreserved apology to you for the error.
In the meanwhile, i would like to know whether you would tender an unreserved apology as well to all in particular the deceased’s family for the doctored image issue.
Thank you.
You said:
“It is the most viewed post of my blog. But unfortunately it is probably the least understood”
What else need understanding? You think you are trying a Tian Chua-esque stunt but I am afraid it an outdated kickdefella-esque wayang,
I must have missed you for my sopo sentral directory and will duly do so but I doubt I’d be interested to be a regular here. There are other more intellectectually nourishing PKR blogs.
Dear TC,
“my political activism is the burden of responsibility rather than the work driven by passion” by Tian Chua.
I put my hat up for your willingness to sacrifice of your personal interest for fighting against the inequality and social ills that surmounting across Malaysia lanscapes.
It would be a worng expectation for an activis like you to enjoy a smooth journey in your quest for upholding the justice in society, especially when the thinking of masses were still inaction and insensitive to all discrimination and injustice. Under such scenario, it’s understandable that the road to reformation is the burden of responsibility.
It’ not wrong to have faith in people, nobody is stupid. The reality is as an activis, you must be preseverance enough to wait until the cycle of self-interets, self-scar, self ignorant among the majority being
replaced by the hopeless and helpless atmosphere that deep rooted in the society. Thus, the road to reformation or revolution is so close and yet so far !
As Albert Esitence put it ” the problem cannot be resolved by the same level of thinking”, we need the power of imagination to bring us out of our existing troubles. In this respect, i think that the “doctored picture” is do no harm than to trigger the critical thinking among the masses.
Good work. Cheers !
Based on Mar 10th 2007 , you wrote in your entry : ” … regret that it has created an impression that I was behaving violently..” . Indeed , in some situation , you give us the impression of defiance and anger. May be you lost you head and produced the fake picture . May be your past suffering bring out all the foolish actions at once
Don’t let emotion control you , every accusation is based on fact and figure .
No more Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Paint , just fact and evidence ..
TC,
I was dissapointed with you for posting the doctored picture. But now I am utterly disgusted with you for your stand not to apologise. Btw, doctoring images cannot be considered as an art!
Please do consider that you have doctored the image without qualifying that it was an “artist’s” impression or that it is doctored! You only clarified it a day after. Seems to me you posted it and when most ppl were upset you came up with a flimsy excuse why the posting was done.
No matter what is the reasons or excuse, it ain’t justifiable to doctor the image of a deceased and implying that it is not doctored!
Why do I contend that you did imply that it is not doctored? Well, below the images. you wrote there “Najib doesn’t want to be reminded with THIS romantic event” (EMPHASIS MINE)
With the use of “THIS”, you come across as suggesting that this dinner as seen in the images actually took place!
I am calling on you in the name of integrity, decency and honour to tender your apology to all in particular to the deceased and the family!
Please don’t let pride prevent you from doing what which is honorable! I believe upon your apology, we will still be proud of your struggles but now it seems your struggles are tainted with the very fibre you preach against! You are indeed a politician!
Well done TC! Keep up the good work!
Malaysians need the TRUTH, nothing but the TRUTH behind all the lies, we really had enough.
I do not understand why some readers here are so obsessed with an apology from Tian, more so, when he had already explained his reasons, intentions and motives for posting that picture.
As someone said above , we need different levels of thinking to understand one another.
Tian was putting across a message, too deep to some, muddled to others, but I can see his point. I can see how his mind works and I respect that.
Some people speak through music. Some speak thriugh dances.
Tian Chua spoke through ART?
Many are just forming opinions from one “stone- faced” picture and adamantly think they are right.
Please don’t play prosecution and judge!
I hope all of us make an attempt to see beyond that picture.
(NOTE: In my first post I disagreed with Tian posting that picture but now am able to see his point after his explanation)
he should have made it pretty clear to these people, if you don’t like to see what i have in my blog, kindly leave.
people getting too worked up over things.
Libra,
By providing his “reasons, intentions and motives for posting that picture” is not sufficient for the following reasons:-
(i) the means (doctored image) does not and should not justify the ends (his reasons, intentions and motives);
(ii) He preaches about fair play, transparency, integrity and other noble values. By posting a doctored image, it goes against what he preaches and seemed to me contracdictory to his principles;
(iii) he didn’t even bother to provide his reasons, intentions and motives when he posted the doctored image. He only provide them after being crticized. Hence, his reasons, intentions and motives may be an afterthought.
His refusal to apologise comes across as arrogant and insenstive especially to the deceased and her family. It does not accord well with what he preaches at all.
I think if you has the decency to apologise, it may save his integrity and reputation, whatever is left!
Tian, continue the fight against stupidity, lies, hypocrisy, racism, bigotry. Dont cave in to Umno Youth, otherwise known as Hitler Youth. Fight them with conviction. Tell these thugs we can also play dirty. Tell these thugs they are not the sole proprietors of the dirty tricks department. Give them hell.
Dear Tian’s ER: jest a little sharing~~
Let’s see if our BN politikus can see as The Little Prince:
“‘On ne voit bien qu’avec le cÅ“ur, l’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux’ (It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye). “
“The faculty to recognize truth is the mind—but not the eyes.”
What kind of truth is your mind telling you. I believe truth is only prevail when the real picture is exposed. Not just through some statement from a witness. Do you really believe in everything you hear or are you just trying to believe what you wanted to be true.
I’m just being fair and will only believe when the truth is exposed. Not through any immagination or realism or whatevery type of so call ‘Art’
Kelvin Ng,
Go ask Umno to resign and apologise first.
Wat, no balls?
Dear NotKelvin,
As far as BN or UMNO is concerned, my demand for their resignation will be seen through my vote during the coming election. Trust me, I will bring my balls and will use my head (the one between my shoulders) to vote wisely and it wont be for BN.
Tian Chua, you do know that you are a man who loves lying and slandering innocent people. Parti Keadilan Rakyat is a party made up of liars, slanderers, homosexuals, and corrupt people.
Its leader Anwar Ibrahim is a corrupt man who enjoys anal sex with Tian Chua! Yes, Tian you are gay like Anwar!
p/s: Tun Dr Mahathir is the winner of the court case between him and Anwar Ibrahim. The Judge found Dr Mahathir did nothing wrong in calling Anwar a homosexual especially since Anwar has regular anal sex with you, Tian Chua. Both of you also drink beer and can drunk.
alamak, this is just show lah folks… after baginda n najib/’the powers that be’ settle their differences nothing will happen…. otherwise why the case take so long if can easily settle like Anwar’s case?
Tian Chua, I will also add this:
I will vote in the coming general election in 2009 for the Barisan Nasional. I will not vote for Parti Keadilan Rakyat because it is a party made up of immoral people, who comprise of homosexuals, liars, slanderers, and murderers, who are all very very corrupt.
This is how I will vote :
1. Barisan Nasional vs. Parti Islam Se Malaysia [ I vote for BN ]
2. Barisan Nasional vs. Parti Keadilan Rakyat [ I vote for BN ]
3. Democratic Action Party vs Barisan Nasional [ I vote for DAP ]
I will say NO to PAS and Keadilan.
Before they nail you onto that stuck-together two pieces of wood (and get you stoned without using al-cohol) for using Photoshop without prior permission of the Ministry of Press Censorship, I would like to thank you for enlightening us with that historical on art patronage (Last Supper and all that…).
No doubt, the Last Supper was done with Photoshop – one can see the haloes emanating from the edges of those from the Roman Fobbed List of the wealthy of yesteryear who’s bought themselves a place in that Happy Hour picture.
The ‘Paris Picture’ by Magritte, Matisse, … or was it Monty Python or even Lat is something else surely…? I don’t think that rather laid back dull-looking character (the one with the commie tie) would be somebody who would buy himself a place in a picture – even if the public purse is forced on him. It would be unfair, a notional travesty for jungleland Malaysia, if the public is made to feel that when da man has not bought himself a place in that Photoshop creation that he has.
It is further unfair to make it appear that da man is da man and he was actually in Paris (or a ‘French’ restaurant somewhere) and even ordered a Mongolian dish with the Cock or Vin. Even the relatives of the man with the red no Mongolian tie say that he has never bought himself a place in the picture. We have to dutifully believe them.
The moral of the story is – in spite of all that philosophy of or behind those works of art no one should be shopped unless the fake is a genuine Photoshop. Which of course it isn’t.
Given that in this modern day the net allows one to reach the whole world at the retouch of a button, one should be more careful to give a better impression of our country by making a better fake of a picture.
We have a successful string of politicians straight out of edited-out bad Monty Python sketches we cannot afford to have the same kind of artists – those who almost made real genuine Photoshops into fakes.
Before you get stuck onto those pieces of wood and martyred in the name of St Adobe, can we request some more genuine Photoshops of Lost Suppers – dinners at some high altartuya, Three Men in a Mongolian steamboat…, please?
The trouble with our Adobe-forsaken country is that at a drop of a hat(e), quite a few people can dress up as scary clowns and wave daggers screaming threats of violent deaths and racist pogroms. Our media toadies are like ph*cking deceased lambs in a Mongolian stew when it comes to exposing that festering rot in our politics and society. But when it comes to a genuine Adobe-blessed piece of art work, all hell breaks loose and our nation’s whore-house of reporters with loose morals all fall over backward or bend over forward to get themselves stuffed from the rear by politicians with no morals to make a case out of nothing.
Talk about genuine prostitutes!
We’ve got a serious problem here with people who can’t laugh. And they tend to be those with their behinds plugged who reach out for the daggers every time they are supposed to show civilisation and religiosity… What a pitiful shame!
Lighten up, you bastards! – Enjoy! You warped sods are going to watch someone cruxified for rather harmless Photoshop and maybe even someone else let off for not leaving any of his Mongolian hot pet behind on dinner table!