My photographic work explores the essence of human existence through a combination of human models and street photography, questioning whether we are merely strings of code in the universe. On the street, pedestrians appear and disappear like NPCs (non-player characters) in a game, briefly intersecting with my path yet seemingly following a predetermined script. This observation led me to ponder: Are we, like cells in a body, part of a vast system, seemingly identical yet uniquely individual?
The inspiration for this series stems from a hiking experience; while lost, the sudden appearance and disappearance of passersby felt orchestrated by an unseen force, until a stranger emerged at a critical moment to guide us to safety. This interplay of chance and necessity reminded me of the “code” and “systems” that may govern our lives. Through photography, I aim to capture these fleeting moments, revealing the subtle connections between humans and their environment, and inviting viewers to reflect: Are our lives, too, calculated and arranged by a greater force?
Clovia Tsoi (b. 2001) is a Toronto and China-based photographer pursuing a BFA in Photography Media Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her practice focuses on documentary and fine art photography, exploring themes of connection, memory, and atmosphere. Clovia observes and reflects on her surroundings, capturing the emotional and environmental “temperature” through her lens. Influenced by the intangible, she seeks to visually represent the interplay between herself and the world, believing that photographs resonate by evoking shared experiences and memories.