PLAIN : an introspection on emptiness

• Main Author: Ho, Si Hui
• Other Authors: Wang I-Hsuan Cindy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Visual arts and music::Design
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/149490
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

PLAIN is a series of hand-woven tapestries based on the philosophy of Emptiness in Zen Buddhism. In art and design, Emptiness is often thought of as simplicity and minimalism. However, this project portrays Emptiness in a different manner: using empty grass plains that do not look empty nor minimalistic — land contours that do not appear plain and simple. Emptiness is expected to be plain, yet Emptiness in Zen Buddhism is much more than that. This project that takes on a more philosophical and existential approach to Emptiness, using grass as an allegory of Emptiness in Zen Buddhism. Through this unlikely depiction of Emptiness, this project aims to inspire profound thought and put forth a different perspective towards Emptiness.