Mountain Dwelling, Majestic View, from the series "Sacrifice" One from a set of twenty-four album leaves; ink on paper; with signature in clerical script (lishu) reading "Li Junyi 06"

Curator: Lee Chun-Yi, or Li Junyi, created this arresting image, "Mountain Dwelling, Majestic View," as part of his series called "Sacrifice" in 2005. Editor: It's unsettling! The pixilated mountains evoke both digital landscapes and something ancient, almost like a fading memory. Curator: The pixel grid resonates with contemporary themes of surveillance and digital control, but also reflects on the tradition of landscape painting and our relationship with nature. Editor: I agree, that grid is loaded. The single black dot above the landscape reminds me of a watchful eye, or even a sun blackened by pollution, a symbol of ecological degradation. Curator: The title, "Sacrifice," is crucial. What are we sacrificing for progress? What are we losing in our pursuit of technology? Editor: Indeed. It pushes us to confront the hidden costs of our modern existence. The mountain is the witness, silently observing the sacrifice. Curator: This piece really makes you consider the intersection of technology, nature, and the sacrifices inherent in societal advancement. Editor: It stays with you, doesn't it? A potent meditation on the choices we face.