At a time after the rain, a tall and slim tree stand high above its surroundings. With the city area and the port of Singapore in the background, the scene instills a sense of aloofness. Gazing upon this outstanding tree, the artist quickly associated this nameless tree with the idea of “aura”.

The idea of “aura” is repeatedly mentioned in German philosopher Walter Benjamin’s (1892 – 1940) “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” (1935). In the initial developments of photography, the restrictions in technology required a longer exposure time, which meant that subjects had to stay still for an extended period of time while gazing into the lens of the camera. This gaze is what constitutes the source of “aura”. This unique tree and its association with the old camera with regards to the prolonged gaze contributed to the feeling of aura in this tree.