DEC's PDP-10 is one of the most influential computers in the history of computing. It was not only a platform for developing many popular applications but also laid the foundation for the infrastructure of the modern internet. As one of the few computers at the time capable of running multi-user environments, the PDP-10 became the first widely used time-sharing system and was a core platform of ARPANET (the precursor to the internet). The ability of modern devices to seamlessly integrate into the global network is due to a shared set of communication standards, protocols, and formats. The innovative contributions of early computers like the PDP-10 in multi-tasking and data processing played a key role in the development of these protocols, providing the technical foundation for the efficient growth of the modern internet and artificial intelligence. Through DEC's PDP-10 (2021), Tan Mu has reintroduced archival photographs of the PDP-10 computing environment, reflecting how this technology has driven the revolution in information exchange and computational power.

Q: You mentioned that this work documents the early concept of computer networking. Could you elaborate on this?

Tan Mu: This work grew out of my research into the early history of computing, particularly the physical forms and operational logic of computers in the 1960s and 1970s. During that period, computers were enormous machines that often filled entire rooms. Their components were large, and even simple calculations required coordinated work among multiple operators in different locations. One of the most influential machines from this era was DEC’s PDP-10, which represents an early stage in the development of computer networking and the foundational ideas that later shaped the internet.

At that time, computers did not have screens as we know them today. Most input and output appeared as numerical data rather than visual interfaces. The device shown in the lower right of the painting reflects these technical limitations and working conditions, which differ completely from contemporary displays. Although these machines were far less powerful than today’s smartphones, they established the basic framework for modern computing. With this painting, I wanted to capture that historical moment and reflect on the transformation from room-sized machines to portable, networked devices.

Q: How do you see the relationship between early computers and modern society?

Tan Mu: When viewed from today’s perspective, early computers appear slow and inefficient, especially when compared to contemporary technology. Yet they formed the essential foundation for everything we now take for granted. Through this work, I hope viewers can reflect on the long trajectory of technological development and recognize that today’s convenience emerged through gradual, cumulative progress. This historical contrast also heightens my awareness of how quickly technology now advances and how decisively it shapes the direction of society.

While working on this piece, I noticed something striking. Despite dramatic changes in computing technology, many aspects of everyday life have remained relatively stable. Clothing styles, furniture, and basic domestic objects have not changed as radically as digital systems. The figures in the painting wear clothes that still feel familiar today, and the desks and chairs are not fundamentally different from those we use now. This contrast highlights a tension between rapid technological evolution and the continuity of human life. Computers have transformed how we work and communicate, but the core rhythms of human existence have remained surprisingly consistent.

Q: This work was shown in your 2022 solo exhibition Signal in Milan. What role did it play within that exhibition?

Tan Mu: In the exhibition, this work was placed alongside NO SIGNAL (2019), creating a dialogue between different moments in the history of technology. Together, they functioned as both a historical record and a conceptual provocation. Many viewers approached the painting with curiosity, often asking, “What is this?” That moment of questioning was central to the work’s purpose.

By juxtaposing an early computing system with the visual language of signal loss in NO SIGNAL, I created a conversation between two timelines. One traces the emergence of computing and information networks, while the other reflects uncertainty and interruption in an era of technological acceleration. Through painting, I wanted to encourage viewers to think about where technology has come from and where it might be heading. I approach each work as a kind of time stamp, recording a specific moment while leaving space for future reflection.

Q: You mentioned that this piece is connected to works such as Deep Blue. Could you expand on that relationship?

Tan Mu: This work forms part of an ongoing series that examines the historical development of computing technology. Alongside Deep Blue and other related works, it traces key moments from the early formation of networks to milestones in artificial intelligence.

DEC’s PDP-10 represents the emergence of interconnected computing systems, while Deep Blue marks a turning point in machine intelligence. This trajectory continues in my later works on quantum computing, including Quantum Computer (2020) and Quantum Gaze (2023). Taken together, these works map a timeline of technological evolution. Through painting, I aim to document how computing has progressively reshaped human life and to reflect on the ways it continues to redefine our understanding of intelligence, labor, and the future.