The ForgottensProduced by YU SU LAN

The Forgottens

The Forgottens

About This Portfolio This portfolio is made by YU SU LAN, examining social issues in Taiwan from a realism perspective. Through the process, she has further explored and connected her passion – photography with the realistic and neglected sides of the society.

The ForgottensProduced by YU SU LAN

The Forgottens

The Forgottens

I used to be more engaged in taking photography of magnificent landscapes and beautiful faces. Yet when I was studying my degree in Journalism, I realized that images could also carry significant meanings and reflect the social reality. During the making process, I discovered the flaw of the government. Therefore I intend to observe the phenomenon by photography, wishing to raise people’s awareness for this social issue.

I come from Taiwan. I was born in this foggy city called "Taipei." Just like other major Asian cities, Taipei is eager to pursue a higher economic development.

Taipei started from “Wanhua”, a district used to be its center o f e c o n o m y . W a n h u a experienced vicissitudes of decades, telling its history with a waste and bleak atmosphere on streets.

The Longshan Temple in Wanhua combined Buddhism and Taoism and has long been a significant religion site. Its unique culture attracted tourists from all over the world.

Compassion and benefaction are two essentials of Buddhism. Faithful Buddhists follow the instruction accordingly.

Therefore, the overflow of donation attracted more and more homeless people to gather.

Drawn by the expansion of city in the early age, many people came to Wanhua to seek opportunities. However, the oversupply of labor caused these outlanders unemployed. Donors came here with free food, a t t rac t ing a great amount of homeless people come and gather, sometimes up to 200 or even 300 ones.

With the overwhelming number of jobless people, problems like gambling and crime would be inevitable, which raised the distaste from the local community.

In cold winter nights, homeless elders sleep side by side with garbage. There are obviously problems with the ways government deals with social issues. From them I observed social issues like aging, joblessness, as well as the lack of arrangement and welfare for these people. The community treats them like disease, and always turns a blind eye and tries to avoid them.

Some of these lonely wanderers had seen better days in their previous lives. They were once rich business owners, but now in the late in lives were abandoned by their families. Some of them were left with nothing but three pages of newspaper.

Those passable ones could hire a tiny place with a cost of £2 each night which would be collected by local gangsters. His assets are so colorful while life is colorless.

Life without a purpose is tough. Many of them look lost and frustrated, smiles are rarely seen on their faces.

Arrogance of the rich, hopelessness of the poor. Helpless elders call for compassion.

Elders die quietly and are left aside. Yet no one could escape death, what we have to do is to urge the government to launch a sustainable plan. It is our duty and obligation.

In Taiwan, there are many places and people forgotten which should be faced up to by the government and public. I believe photography is the strongest and most direct medium to express our concern for the forgotten side of the society. Hopefully I could draw some attention to these issues and make people beings to reflect a bit on these issues.