The diptych Off (2019) captures a fleeting moment of silence, preserving the visual memory of a transmitted signal. It reflects the profound influence of broadcasting systems, which have ushered us into an era of information saturation. By depicting the transition between transmission and void, Off encapsulates multiple layers of meaning: the ephemeral nature of broadcast signals, the echoes of cosmic expansion, and the transmission of personal memory. The work visualizes shut down not as mere absence, but as a liminal state—a threshold where information dissolves into silence. In its quiet simplicity, Off transforms the cessation of transmission into an intimate emotional experience, inviting viewers to consider what lingers when the signal fades.

Q: Your work Off captures the fleeting moment of a screen turning on and off. Can you talk about the inspiration and background of this piece?

Tan Mu: The inspiration for this piece comes from the moment a screen switches on or off, particularly the fleeting flash of light seen on televisions or electronic devices during power transitions. This visual phenomenon reminds me of the act of opening and closing one's eyes, or even an explosion or a point of light in the process of information transmission. It is not merely a glow on a screen; rather, it serves as a symbolic core of energy and operational rhythms. When I placed these two paintings side by side, I noticed how the perspective resembled an aperture in photography—just like the instant when a camera shutter closes, intimately linked to light and image formation. Through this work, I sought to capture this ephemeral moment and explore its relationship with energy, information transmission, and human perception. When I created this piece, I was in a personal state of "shut down," where my mind felt completely blank. The black background and faint light in the painting symbolize this mental void, prompting me to use painting as a means of expression and introspection.

Q: How do you translate this visual effect into painting?

Tan Mu: The process began with applying a layer of black acrylic paint onto linen, which I then repeatedly sanded until the surface became exceptionally smooth, achieving a matte, almost leather-like texture. This treatment not only enhanced the material quality of the painting but also reflected the precision and complexity of information transmission. I then masked the central light strip with tape and used an airbrush to create a subtle glow. The faint light represents the flash that occurs when a screen turns on or off while also evoking associations with explosions or the luminous core of information transfer.

Q: You previously mentioned a parallel between Off and Trinity Testing. Could you elaborate on this connection?

Tan Mu: Off and Trinity Testing both symbolize energy and the dawn of new eras. Trinity Testing captures the instant of a nuclear explosion, marking the beginning of the nuclear age, while Off encapsulates the flicker of a screen, representing the emergence of the information age. Nuclear energy embodies the extreme efficiency of physical power, with its rapid fission process unleashing immense destructive force. In contrast, the energy of the information era manifests through the dissemination and impact of data, transmitted seamlessly across countless signal stations, reshaping human life, values, and social structures. Both pieces capture brief yet monumental releases of energy—one, a silent explosion of information; the other, a deafening nuclear detonation.

Q: Some of your works are created on a small scale. What significance does this format hold for you?

Tan Mu: The 11x14-inch format holds particular significance for me, especially in my early works. This size allows me to focus on intricate details and the fleeting nature of visual phenomena while maintaining a compact, concentrated mode of expression. Off was one of the first works in which I adopted this format, marking the beginning of my exploration of momentary visual experiences. The consistent use of this size across different works creates a sense of continuity while also providing an intimate space to explore transient energy and transformation. Additionally, this scale aligns with the thematic essence of my works. Whether depicting a water droplet, a nuclear explosion, or the brief flicker of a screen, the small canvas effectively captures and conveys the ephemeral quality of these moments. The black background further amplifies the intensity of energy and information release within a contained visual field.