Page 86 - Libro 2

WORLD AFFILIATE WORLD AFFILIATE

Steeped in Time: Old Tea Houses

Through the Lens of Harry Woo

By Vicky Ho
Chief Curator of Soka Gakkai Malaysia

From 15 February to 1 March, 2025 an exhibition titled “Steeped in Time: Old Tea Houses
6th
th
Through the Lens of Harry Woo” was held in the Harmoni Soka Gallery, SGM Grand Culture Center,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Harry Woo is President of The Photographic Society of Malaysia, the FIAP
Operational Member for Malaysia. He is also the FIAP Liaison Officer for Malaysia. The exhibition was
officially opened by Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Minister of Transport Malaysia. The following text
is what I wrote in relation to this exhibition as its curator.

Since its emergence in the
early 19 century, photography
th
was initially embraced as a
widely used tool to document
the world, and to serve other
recording needs. However, in the
early 20th century, modern art
movements ignited a shift that
led to photography evolving
into a distinct visual art form.
Over the course of more than a
World Affiliate developed into a multitude of Harry Woo delivering an art talk after the opening ceremony World Affiliate
hundred years, photography has
Canberra
styles and genres. It is no longer
confined to a mere recording of
reality or history; it has become a
vital medium for artists to express
their thoughts and emotions;
for their aesthetic explorations
and storytelling through the lens
of their camera. Photography
allows the capture of ephemeral
moments in time; transforms
them into timeless expressions;
portraying the truth, good, and
beauty of everyday life. It serves
as an art form that combines the
skilful use of light, technology and
aesthetics to tell stories, convey
societal messages, and express
Canberra personal emotions.

The renowned French
Participants listening attentively to Harry Woo’s presentation documentary photographer, Henri
Cartier-Bresson once said: “There is
a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eye must see a composition or
an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.
That is the moment the photographer is creative. Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone
forever.” (1957 interview with The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/
wp/2016/06/06/how-the-worlds-most-legendary-photo-agency-is-celebrating-its-70th-birthday/).

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