Computational power stands as the cornerstone of modern societal, technological, and economic transformation. The rapid evolution of quantum computing is reshaping humanity’s understanding of cognition and the future, marking a new frontier in our relationship with information and computation. Quantum Computer (2020) captures a defining moment in this trajectory—the launch of the world’s first commercial quantum computer by IBM. With processing capabilities billions of times faster than contemporary supercomputers, quantum computing represents a paradigm shift, pushing the boundaries of human and technological potential. In this work, a sleek blue cylindrical form is encased within a space framed by tinted glass, rendered with a hyperrealistic aesthetic that evokes both a sci-fi portrait and a time capsule—preserving a groundbreaking moment in the ever-advancing landscape of computational power. Tan Mu not only explores the essence of this transformative innovation but also invites contemplation on its broader implications for humanity’s trajectory. More than a depiction of a machine, Quantum Computer is a meditation on the profound ways in which technology reshapes our perception of the world and ourselves.

Q: What sparked your interest in quantum computers?

Tan Mu: I have been fascinated by quantum computers for many years, particularly since 2019, when they were widely recognized as one of the most significant technological breakthroughs of our time. The unveiling of IBM’s Q System One marked a pivotal moment in the public emergence of quantum computing. It represented the frontier of human ingenuity and expanded the boundaries of what technology could achieve. To me, it embodied the culmination of decades of scientific research and intellectual exploration. That sense of transformative innovation inspired me to create this painting as a way to record the historical weight of that moment.

In 2023, my continued interest led me to look deeper into the internal structures of quantum computers, which resulted in the work Quantum Gaze. For me, Quantum Computer remains one of the most important works I have created. It feels similar to a self-portrait, reflecting my own trajectory as an artist. The painting is not simply an image of a machine but a philosophical inquiry into humanity’s desire to understand itself, reality, and the unknown. It captures a moment when quantum computing symbolized both technological progress and human potential, inviting viewers to reflect on how such advancements reshape our understanding of the world and of ourselves.

Q: You describe the quantum computer as a portrait rather than a still life. Why do you see it this way?

Tan Mu: When I completed this painting, I realized that it felt unmistakably like a portrait. This realization changed how I understood the work. Rather than approaching it as a still life or an abstract object, I began to see it as something deeply human. It functions as a self-portrait, reflecting my long-standing fascination with physical systems, technological evolution, and the nature of human existence. At the same time, it is also a portrait of our era and, more broadly, a portrait of humanity.

In my earlier works, I explored themes such as cells, the brain, and the idea of humans as machines. These investigations form the foundation for why Quantum Computer reads as a portrait. The machine’s complex structure mirrors the human body, while the logic that drives it parallels human cognition, memory, and consciousness. If we think of the mind as something housed within the body, the relationship between hardware and software in a quantum computer becomes an apt analogy. Both operate as intricate systems that process, interpret, and evolve. This layered complexity transforms the quantum computer from a tool into a reflection of the human mind itself. At the same time, it represents the mind at its most advanced state, pushing beyond physical limitations and extending our capacity to think and calculate. In this sense, the work allows me to explore the blurred boundaries between the organic and the mechanical, the mental and the material, offering a new way to consider what it means to exist.

Q: What inspired your choice of composition and color palette for this piece?

Tan Mu: The composition and color palette were inspired by the sleek, metallic presence of quantum computers such as IBM’s systems, which often resemble highly refined machines suspended in space. I wanted to amplify this sense of mechanical elegance in the painting. The use of deep blues and reflective silvers emphasizes the metallic and almost ethereal quality of the object, while the minimal black background isolates the form and sharpens focus. This visual isolation mirrors how these machines stand apart as symbols of advanced human achievement.

The reflective surfaces and precise lines in the composition echo the abstract nature of the quantum world, where boundaries are unstable and the material and immaterial coexist. The restrained palette, dominated by dark tones with hints of luminous blue, not only defines the form of the machine but also evokes mystery and uncertainty. This atmosphere reflects the vast potential of quantum computing and its connection to humanity’s ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

Q: Your painting captures a pivotal moment in technological history, encompassing advances in computing power, energy, and information systems. How do you explore the relationships between these elements in your work?

Tan Mu: My work often focuses on breakthroughs in computational power, both in terms of physical technologies and the software systems that drive them. These developments are inseparable from questions of energy consumption and environmental impact, forming a deeply interconnected network of progress.

Material innovations such as circuits and chips, explored in works like Logic Circuit (2022) and Mapping (2021), or the use of silicon in Silicon (2021, 2023), have established a new technological order. These advances have shaped not only the evolution of the internet but also the physical infrastructure of computing, from early systems like the DEC PDP-10 and Blue Box to contemporary microcomputers and quantum machines. At the same time, this expansion of computational power brings increasing demands for energy. As society seeks faster and more efficient technologies, energy consumption rises accordingly. Renewable sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy have become essential in supporting this growth.

In works like Quantum Computer (2020) and Quantum Gaze (2023), I explore the immense energy required for quantum computation, as well as the controlled environments necessary for data centers, such as cooling systems, which I examined earlier in Memory (2019). These systems directly reshape our physical landscapes. Solar farms replace agricultural land, and wind turbines redefine the visual character of oceans and mountains. In my practice, these technological, energetic, and environmental forces are inseparable. Together, they define the contemporary condition.

Seen this way, my paintings function as visual timestamps. Quantum Computer becomes a time capsule that records a specific moment of intellectual and technological transformation, while also leaving space for future viewers to reflect on how this era understood progress, power, and possibility.