Horizons draws inspiration from the International Space Station, offering a transformative perspective on humanity and Earth. The series captures the radiant lights of megacities and the dreamlike reflections of Earth’s atmosphere, symbolizing the beauty of human civilization. These interwoven lights and shadows highlight the profound impact of technology on how we perceive the world. Tan Mu explores the potential of technology to expand visual boundaries, particularly through real-time transmissions from space that allow humanity to observe Earth from a cosmic vantage point. This “panoramic gaze,” enabled by technology, fosters collective awareness and redefines landscape art, offering a cosmic-scale reexamination of human existence. When the perspective rises above the horizon, a vast sense of peace emerges, inviting humanity to reimagine its place and potential within a connected world. Through layers of oil on linen, Tan Mu translates this cosmic perspective into a tangible visual language. The horizon becomes a dynamic interplay of color and form, evoking depth and expansiveness. Subtle shifts in tone and texture mirror the fluidity of time and space, capturing moments of transition—dawn, dusk, or the infinite calm of a still sea. At its heart, Horizons reflects Tan Mu’s fascination with universal structures and shared human experiences. It reminds us that in the immensity of the cosmos, our shared humanity is both fragile and profoundly connected.

Q: What inspired you to explore the satellite perspective in Horizons, and how were you personally drawn to this unique way of seeing the world?

Tan Mu: From a young age, I’ve been captivated by the sky and the way it connects us to something larger than ourselves. My maternal grandfather, a meteorologist, introduced me to the intricate relationships between mechanical systems and natural phenomena. He taught me to observe the ever-changing patterns of the sky and earth, sparking a lifelong fascination with technology and its ability to reveal hidden connections, he planted the seeds for my interest in elevated perspectives. Later, during my time at Alfred University, I lived near the Stull Observatory, where I had access to telescopes. Taking astronomy courses and spending nights stargazing deepened my connection to the cosmos. The first time I observed the moon through a telescope, it was transformative—it shifted my perspective on the universe and our place within it. These experiences collectively drew me to the satellite perspective. It’s a way of seeing that transcends the horizon, offering a panoramic view of Earth and humanity. Through Horizons, I want to share this sense of wonder and connection, inviting viewers to rethink the boundaries of perception and reflect on our shared place in an expansive, interconnected universe.

Q: Technology plays a significant role in enabling the perspective seen in Horizons. How do you see the relationship between technology, art, and human perception evolving in your work?

Tan Mu: The satellite perspective in Horizons is deeply tied to my understanding of technology as an extension of the body and externalization of memory. When we view Earth from above, we are not just observing a physical landscape—we are engaging with a perspective that transcends individual experience. Technology, in this sense, acts as a prosthetic for the human eye, allowing us to see beyond our natural limitations and connect with a collective vision of the world. Through tools like microscopes, we can observe atoms, cells, and DNA—realms invisible to the naked eye—and even edit genes. Similarly, telescopes and satellite imagery enable us to explore the world beyond the horizon and touch the edges of the observable universe. These technologies extend our perception into both the microscopic and macroscopic worlds, reshaping how we understand ourselves and our place in the cosmos. As technology evolves, so does its relationship with art and human perception. In my works, I see technology as more than a tool—it’s a bridge that connects us to each other and to the infinite. It allows us to externalize and share our memories, creating a sense of unity and continuity in an ever-changing world. Horizons is an invitation to reflect on this evolving relationship and to reimagine our place within a connected universe.

Q: The horizon in your work becomes a dynamic interplay of color, form, and texture. Could you walk us through your creative process to achieve this sense of depth and expansiveness?

Tan Mu: In Horizons, I aim to translate the cosmic perspective into a tangible visual language through the interplay of color, form, and texture. The process begins with adopting an orbital vantage point, which allows me to present Earth in a way that transcends the typical earthly perspective. This elevated view creates a sense of depth and expansiveness, inviting viewers to see the planet as a dynamic, interconnected whole. I use layers of oil on linen to translate this cosmic perspective into tangible form. The interplay of color, light, and texture mirrors the fluidity of landscape—how it shifts, fades, and transforms over time. The city lights, representing human activity and civilization, form intricate patterns reminiscent of biological or neural networks. These glowing webs symbolize connectivity and progress while drawing subtle parallels between human systems and natural phenomena. The interplay of warm and cool tones—ranging from the golden glow of city lights to the cool blues of the atmosphere—creates a cosmic balance, juxtaposing the infinite cold of space with the warmth of life on Earth. Ultimately, Horizons is about capturing the dynamic and luminous beauty of Earth, while inviting viewers to reflect on their place within the vastness of the universe.

Q: The concept of the "panoramic gaze" is central to Horizons. Could you elaborate on how this idea emerged and how it shapes your approach to depicting Earth and humanity in this series?

Tan Mu: The concept of the "panoramic gaze" is central to Horizons, and it emerged from my fascination with how technology expands our ability to see and understand the world. It began with Peek, where I reimagined the first photograph of Earth taken from space in 1946. That historic image marked the first time humanity glimpsed our planet against the vast darkness of the cosmos, and it became the genesis of my Horizon series. This perspective—seeing Earth from above—transformed how we perceive our place in the universe, and it inspired me to explore the satellite viewpoint further. The panoramic gaze is enabled by technological advances, particularly the real-time transmissions from satellites that allow us to observe Earth from outer space. In the past, humans relied on star maps to navigate and explore the edges of the known world. Today, satellite imagery offers a panoramic view from beyond Earth, revealing our planet in ways that were once unimaginable. This technological breakthrough has redefined the boundaries of what we can observe, bringing a new visual language to our understanding of the world. In Horizons, I use this panoramic gaze to capture the interconnectedness of humanity. This perspective allows us to see the world in its entirety—its lights, its landscapes, and its place among the stars. It reminds us of our shared humanity and the fragility of our existence within the immensity of the universe. The panoramic gaze is not just a way of seeing; it’s a way of connecting—to each other, to our planet, and to the infinite.

Q: Horizons 05 stands out in the Horizon series for its unique perspective—a view of the cosmos from Earth’s surface rather than from space. Could you share more about the experience that inspired this piece?

Tan Mu: Horizons 05 is a deeply personal piece in the Horizon series, inspired by my experience at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii in 2019. Unlike other works in the series, which adopt a satellite or orbital perspective, Horizons 05 captures a view from Earth’s surface—a moment of looking outward into the cosmos from one of the planet’s most exceptional astronomical sites. Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, rises 4,207 meters (13,802 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest astronomical observatories in the world. Its unique conditions—low humidity, thin atmosphere, and minimal light pollution—make it one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. The painting is based on a photograph I took near the observatory at an altitude of about 4,000 meters. It was freezing, but the experience was unforgettable. With no light pollution, the night sky was ablaze with stars, and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens in breathtaking clarity. I was utterly speechless, feeling as though my world had changed at that moment. The painting reflects this profound encounter with the cosmos. It depicts the Milky Way in stunning detail, set against a vast, star-filled sky. Unlike the city lights and atmospheric glow seen in other Horizon works, Horizons 05 focuses on the raw beauty of the universe as seen from Earth. The quiet, almost surreal stillness of Mauna Kea at night—where the only sound is silence and the only sight is the infinite expanse of stars—adds to the painting’s emotional depth. Standing under the stars that night, I felt a profound connection to the universe. The world was so quiet and still that it seemed as if nothing existed beyond the stars above. Horizons 05 is a tribute to that transformative experience—a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos and the quiet moments that connect us to something greater than ourselves.