Pines on Slender Peaks, 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's "Pines on Slender Peaks," part of the series "Sacrifice," presents a complex layering of meaning through its unique visual language. Editor: My first impression is a sense of both constraint and ethereality; the pixelated grid fights with the softer image it contains. Curator: Indeed. The grid overlaying the landscape evokes a sense of surveillance, perhaps commenting on environmental degradation or the control exerted over natural resources. This resonates with contemporary anxieties about ecological futures. Editor: The pine trees themselves are rich in symbolism – longevity, resilience, and virtue, particularly within East Asian artistic traditions. Placed within this grid, are those virtues being held captive, or perhaps tested? Curator: It is a compelling question. Considering the series title, "Sacrifice," one can argue that the landscape, a symbol of cultural heritage, is being sacrificed in some way. Editor: It seems to suggest a constant tension between the natural world and the systems we impose upon it. Curator: Absolutely. It offers a critical perspective, prompting us to examine the narratives and power structures that shape our relationship with nature. Editor: Ultimately, this piece left me contemplative about the relationship between progress and preservation.