To Mars to Explore (2022) marks the beginning of the Mars series, focusing on the serendipitous moment when the Curiosity rover captured a "selfie" on Mars, a moment that seems to blur the boundary between technology and self-awareness. Curiosity is a car-sized Mars rover designed to explore the Gale crater on Mars as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission. On February 19, 2022, Curiosity’s Mast Camera (Mastcam) took an image of the rover itself on the Martian surface and sent the photo back to Earth. The image captured by the rover can be interpreted as a machine "selfie," inviting us to explore the absurdity of the current age and the possibilities of artificial intelligence. To Mars to Explore is a meditation on this unusual moment, sparking a conversation about the potential consciousness of machines. It not only examines their evolving role in our exploration of Mars but also delves into the essence of existence in a world where the boundaries between humans and machines are increasingly intertwined.

Q: Could you talk about the themes explored in your Mars series paintings?

Tan Mu: The Mars series is a collection of works centered around images of Mars. To Mars to Explore is the first painting in this series, belonging to the same body of work as the three smaller Mars paintings I created in 2024. While those later pieces focus on different aspects of the Martian surface—such as sand, rocks, and slopes—this series as a whole examines how technology expands our visual experience and documents humanity’s exploration of distant planets. Each piece captures the unique terrain and light conditions of Mars through images transmitted by rovers. While To Mars to Explore leans more towards the personification of the rover and the spirit of exploration, the other works in the Mars series place greater emphasis on depicting the Martian landscape. Together, they reflect how technology allows us to see and interpret another world.

Q: To Mars to Explore is the first work in your Mars series, and its title comes from the lettering on the Curiosity rover. Can you talk about the inspiration behind this piece?

Tan Mu: This work was inspired by a self-portrait image taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars. The photograph, captured by the rover’s own camera during a mission, prominently features its robotic arm, engraved with the words "To Mars to Explore." I frequently visit NASA’s website to browse their images of the cosmos and Martian surface, and this particular self-portrait stood out to me. It not only documents the rover’s mission but also symbolizes humanity’s relentless pursuit of the unknown. Since landing on Mars in 2012, Curiosity has been operating on the planet’s surface for over a decade, transmitting vast amounts of data and images about Martian geology, climate, and terrain. As the first oil painting in my Mars series, I approached this piece as a portrait, commemorating the rover’s contribution to exploration and reflecting on the subtle emotional connections between machines and humans.

Q: How do you perceive the personification of the Curiosity rover?

Tan Mu: During the creative process, I couldn’t help but personify the Curiosity rover, imagining its solitude and sense of duty on a distant planet. Despite the harsh Martian environment, which has caused significant wear and tear on its wheels, it continues to persist in its mission. This resilience and endurance deeply moved me, leading me to consider the loneliness and purpose of a machine operating in an alien landscape. I view this painting as a portrait, treating the rover’s self-taken image as a form of self-documentation. If Curiosity were aware that its photographs were being observed, studied, and even transformed into artworks by people on Earth, would it feel a sense of solace? The idea of portraying a machine that carries out repetitive, day-to-day tasks on another planet is incredibly thought-provoking. By presenting the rover as an entity with both emotion and purpose, I hope to explore the complex relationship between machines and human sentiment.

Q: Does the robotic arm in your painting symbolize a tension between control and exploration?

Tan Mu: Yes, the robotic arm in the painting represents the paradox between human control and the unknown in space exploration. While we can remotely operate rovers on distant planets using advanced technology, many aspects of these missions remain beyond our control—such as Mars’ harsh environmental conditions and the uncertainties of each task. This contradiction fascinates me, as it highlights both the limitations and possibilities of human exploration. Through this work, I aim to capture that tension and encourage reflection on the spirit of discovery.

Q: Do you have other works related to extraterrestrial exploration?

Tan Mu: Yes, my other work, 3D-Printing House (2022), also relates to Mars exploration. This piece depicts a moment from a demonstration video by a company designing 3D-printed habitats for future Mars missions. It further explores how humanity is using technology to prepare for interplanetary migration. My painting Stanford Torus(2020) is also related to extraterrestrial exploration. It depicts the scientific concept of the Stanford Torus, a visionary design for interstellar colonization. This work explores the idea of a space habitat engineered to simulate Earth’s gravity, envisioning a future where humanity extends its presence beyond our home planet. Through these works related to space colonization technologies, I hope to provoke thoughts on technological advancement, the human relationship with the cosmos, and how we extend our vision beyond Earth into the unknown universe.