2nd Place winner
Volcanic Blue Flames
DESCRIPTION
There are a few volcanoes around the world where the lava appears blue or has blue flames, but none that consistently exhibit blue flames as Kawah Ijen does. The electric-blue flames are caused by the combustion of sulphuric gasses in the oxygen-rich air. Through the combustion, the sulphuric gasses condense into blue molten sulphur that spills down the mountainside, in dazzling electric-blue flames through a phenomenon called electronic excitation. At such high pressure, sometimes the temperature reaches 600°C. AUTHOR
Hong Huazheng, who prefers to be called H, is an artist based in Singapore. H received his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore in partnership with Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, U.K. H reflects a lot on the impact of technology on environments and people. He has a propensity for seeking beauty and the sublime in places untouched by civilisation and technology. In his dialogue with image presentation, H experiments with different display methods, designing the scale and platform of his work in response to the exhibition environment. H’s commercial photography commissions include campaigns such as Anti-Gambling, Anti-Drink Driving, and Singaporeans Against Poverty. H was awarded the Patron of the Arts Awards twice by the National Arts Council of Singapore for his contribution in the arts. His work has also been shown in group exhibitions at National Museum of Singapore, Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and Central Academy of Fine Arts at Beijing. In 2010, H received the top title at the Singapore Young Photographer Award exhibition shown at the National Museum of Singapore. 