Moldavite (2020) draws inspiration from the celestial movements of cosmic bodies and the immense forces that shape our universe. Around 15 million years ago, a meteorite impact in what is now southern Germany (Nördlinger Ries Crater) gave birth to Moldavite (Czech: vltavín)—a rare, translucent green tektite. Formed through the fusion of terrestrial and extraterrestrial matter, this enigmatic gemstone carries the echoes of cosmic collisions and the mysteries of deep time. In Tan Mu’s painting, the dark background accentuates the vibrant green hues and intricate patterns at the center—its fingerprint-like textures mirroring the unique identity of tektites as fragments of the cosmos, preserving the stories of celestial events across the vast river of time. As we contemplate the immensity of the universe, Moldavite serves as a profound reminder of our own smallness within the grand celestial expanse. It invites us to reflect on the interconnectedness of Earth's existence with the infinite unknown, bridging the ancient past with an ever-expanding future.

Q: Your work Moldavite (2020) depicts a meteorite often referred to as the Czech meteorite. Why did you choose this subject?

Tan Mu: This work depicts a Czech meteorite known as Moldavite, which comes from my personal collection. I have always been interested in collecting stones, and Moldavite in particular deeply fascinated me. It was the first Czech meteorite I acquired, which gives it personal significance. Moldavite was formed around fifteen million years ago when a meteorite impact on Earth ejected molten material that later solidified. Its journey from space to Earth spans an immense stretch of time. The cosmic and temporal origins of this stone moved me profoundly, which is why I chose to document it through painting.

Q: You mentioned that time is a central theme in this piece. Could you expand on that?

Tan Mu: Moldavite is often discussed in religious or mythological contexts and is sometimes associated with mystical symbolism. My interest, however, lies in its scientific and historical significance. It is the result of a cosmic event and also a silent witness to Earth’s long history. In this work, Moldavite carries a timespan of approximately fifteen million years. Holding it made me reflect on how it has endured through vast geological and cosmic processes, placing human history, technological progress, and social conflict into a much smaller perspective. This contrast in scale strongly affected me, and I wanted to translate that feeling into the painting. The meteorite functions like a time capsule, preserving traces of ancient cosmic events within a small physical object. Through this work, I aim to convey the complexity of how science and myth coexist, while inviting viewers to contemplate time, the universe, and human existence.

Q: You have said that painting is a way to resist temporality. Could you elaborate on this idea?

Tan Mu: Temporality is a recurring concern in my practice. For me, painting transforms fleeting visual information into something tangible and enduring. In contemporary life, images circulate at an overwhelming speed, but painting allows a specific object or moment to be fixed in time. It becomes a lasting record. Through painting, I attempt to slow down or even resist the passage of time, anchoring moments, objects, or ideas within the physical presence of the canvas. When these works are encountered in the future, they can reactivate memories or generate new interpretations. Whether I am addressing a brief transformation or an immense timespan, painting gives me a way to explore temporality in a material form. Moldavite was one of my early explorations of time and cosmic themes, and it connects directly to later works such as Silicon and Powehi. Whether depicting meteorites, silicon, or black holes, I use painting to record phenomena that exist beyond human time scales. Together, these works form an ongoing investigation into the cosmos, science, and human perception, reflecting my interest in time and space as layered and multidimensional experiences.

Q: What is the significance of the dark background and close-up composition in this work?

Tan Mu: This painting was one of my earliest experiments with using a dark background and a close-up perspective. The dark field intensifies the form and texture of the meteorite, creating a sense of depth and mystery. The close-up composition allows the viewer to focus on the fine surface details, which are permanent traces left by the impact that formed it. This approach not only emphasizes the physical beauty of the meteorite but also points to the vast history and cosmic narrative contained within such a small object.

(Excerpt from METAL MAGAZINE, September 2022)

Q: What interests you most, the past, the present or the future? Or is time an illusion and they all converge into a common reality? Tan Mu: I found the linear concept of time to be a bit unconvincing. As I become increasingly interested in what people hope for in the future at each stage of history, and as I become convinced that different scenarios of reality are being entered, I am becoming more convinced that we are entering these scenarios as we speak. A civilisation that cannot remember its past will not be able to progress. It is for this reason that museums are still around today. 2 years ago, I painted a tektite called Moldavite, a projectile rock formed as a result of a meteorite impact in southern Germany approximately 15 million years ago. My interest was piqued by an object that had been around for a long time. As I have become more aware of the vastness and diversity of the world, as well as my own limitations and narrowness, my practice has become more akin to an emotional gaze disguised as rationality. The latest state telescope has captured the oldest light from the universe, and now a thumb-sized chip can store billions of years’ worth of information from all libraries worldwide. Our civilisation is striving to break time’s definition in order to transmit information, which I consider to be the most poetic exploration of technology. It is fascinating to think about how art reflects the changes in our history. Over the course of history, humans have constantly wondered and achieved their goals. Faith and love are transmitted through art. Love, health, happiness, and companionship remain people’s basic needs in such an evolutionary context.