Mediated, 2022
Oil on canvas
Within an urbanised setting, individuals frequently encounter feelings of loneliness, disconnection from nature, a sense of being in-between or societal pressures. They not only contend with their own aspirations, desires, and necessities but also grapple with the expectations imposed by society and other individuals. This internal fragmentation can intensify a profound sense of emptiness, prompting individuals to seek substitutes from external sources. Jacques Lacan, the French psychoanalyst, presents the theory of ‘object a’ to delve into how desires are experienced and pursued for fulfillment. ‘Object a’ serves as a conceptual framework, representing an intangible and elusive object that individuals yearn for but can never wholly obtain. It characterises the inherent unattainability of desire within human existence. This engenders a perception that the longing for something absent can be satisfied by pursuing various objects or experiences that promise fulfillment. However, Lacan argues that these desired objects can never provide complete satisfaction because they are not the actual “object a” itself, which remains abstract. According to Lacan’s theory, the quest for “object a” constitutes a fundamental facet of the human experience, profoundly shaping the subjective reality of individuals.
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