NTU (BA) Photography Project
Concept Photography
Speciōsum
This “Speciōsum” photography project, the Latin word for specious meaning misleading in appearance especially misleadingly attractive, is a refined version of the previous photography project on Mental Dilemma. “Speciōsum” draws from the idea of smiling depression, and expresses itself with an exquisite and admirable Flower Still Life.
Depression is commonly associated with sadness and hopelessness, hence people may wonder what smiling depression is. Smiling depression is a term that refers to someone who is living with depression on the inside but appears happy on the outside. Their public life appears relatively normal to many, but in reality, they are decomposing on the inside. This makes it particularly difficult for the people around them to discover and before they realise it, the smiling depressed patients might have already committed acts of self-harm.
At first glance, the viewers of the photograph witnesses the vibrant colours of the floral arrangement with exceptional detail of the petals, the exotic fruits and ornate decorations. However, taking a closer look, viewers might notice that one of the flowers in this extravagant arrangement has decayed. This flower’s beautiful shell remains, but ultimately it is lifeless like a patient suffering from smiling depression.
The “Speciōsum” project is created with the concept of smiling depression in mind, expressed with ideas inspired by Dutch Flower Still Life oil paintings, and decorated in the style of Rococo, profoundly beautiful yet considered as the decay of art.
The photographer has meticulously combined these styles and ideas to create a photographic artwork that raises awareness about smiling depression to its viewers, all in the hopes of people paying a little more attention to their beloved friends and families who may be going through mental or emotional hardships but appear to be happy and smiling.
Photographer & Artist: Benjamin J. Cheng