The Cost of Clarity

“The Cost of Clarity” draws inspiration from cataracts, the clouding of the eye’s lens—a condition that typically develops with age and gradually impairs vision. As people grow older and their eyesight fades, they confront the unsettling reality of losing a vital sense, one that serves as a window to the world. Vision allows us to observe and interpret the many facets of our environment, playing an essential role in shaping our perception of reality. In this way, vision can be seen as integral to intelligence. Yet, as we age, visual literacy diminishes, particularly as the body and senses begin to decline.

However, while the physical body degrades over time, the mind expands through our experiences on Earth. It is said that wisdom comes with age, and this piece explores that idea. It raises a question about the relationship between our senses and wisdom: Do we need to see, hear, or touch in order to be truly wise?

To express this tension between the body’s decay and the mind’s growth, I employed bright, fiery colors to represent the relentless burning away of what was once vibrant and untouched. Lighter hues surround the iris, symbolizing the fog caused by cataracts while also representing the enlightenment that comes with age. The iris radiates a brilliant, blinding white light—a "blessed curse" that all humans inevitably face.

Ultimately, this piece reinforces the idea that as physical aptitude diminishes, wisdom increases, suggesting that the death of the body may be the ultimate sacrifice in our pursuit of knowledge.