Every atom on Earth is part of the torus, a self-sustaining energy system essential to life and power. Composed of two converging vortices, the torus forms a loop where energy spirals inward, moves along the axis, exits through the opposite vortex, and returns to its origin, symbolizing interconnectedness. Nature's most awe-inspiring phenomena—tornadoes, whirlpools, black holes, magnetic fields, and planetary atmospheres—all exhibit this form. The Earth’s own torus sustains its atmosphere, circulating through its core and enveloping the surface in protection. This shape extends beyond celestial bodies, reflected in the energy fields surrounding humans and plants, linking all living beings to the universe's rhythms. In this painting, the torus appears as a cosmic lens—transparent and spherical—encapsulating swirling galaxies, cascading light, and a central pulse of energy. The surrounding ethereal black void amplifies its luminosity, evoking both infinite expansion and intimate containment. Through the interplay of form and light, the torus transcends a scientific principle, becoming a symbol of creation, regeneration, and the boundless cycles that govern existence.

Q: What inspired you to create Torus (2020) and Torus (2021)?

Tan Mu: The Torus works emerged after my exploration of mathematical structures and aesthetics in Fractal (2019) and Atom (2020). In those earlier pieces, I was deeply engaged with self similarity, repetition, and infinite complexity. With Torus, I wanted to move toward a more fundamental mathematical form. The torus has always felt to me like a structural archetype of the universe. It appears repeatedly across disciplines, from physics and chemistry to biology and cosmology.

What draws me to the torus is its embodiment of circulation, continuity, and energy flow. Similar patterns can be found in chemical reactions, embryonic development, bacterial growth, atmospheric systems, and cloud formations. For me, mathematics is never purely abstract. It carries an intrinsic aesthetic logic that mirrors natural order. As digital systems increasingly fragment our sensory experience, returning to these foundational mathematical forms becomes a way to restore balance and continuity. The torus represents a nature based structure that offers both meditation and reflection on how life organizes itself.

Q: Why did you choose a black and white visual language to depict the torus?

Tan Mu: I deliberately chose a black and white painting language rather than using technical rendering, data visualization, or pseudo color systems often seen in scientific imaging. Black and white allows the form to remain central. It removes distraction and directs attention to structure, rhythm, and movement. In this reduced visual field, the torus becomes clearer as a spatial and energetic system rather than a decorative object.

The contrast between black and white heightens the perception of transparency and rotation. It emphasizes the internal motion of the form and its continuous flow. This choice also reflects my broader approach to painting. I aim to document our time while maintaining a quiet, contemplative relationship with nature. The restraint of monochrome aligns with the cosmic principles I am exploring and offers a timeless visual language that invites sustained attention.

Q: Why does Torus (2021) contain such a dense field of points?

Tan Mu: Points have long been an essential visual language in my work. They exist at the intersection of aesthetics and meaning. In Torus (2021), the accumulation of points evokes associations with stars, particles, or bioluminescent organisms in deep water. Visually, they generate a vibrating surface that enhances the sense of rotation and transparency. Conceptually, they represent connectivity, information, and energy in motion.

This approach connects to other works such as No Signal (2019) and my Signal series (2024), where points function as pixels, noise, or data units. Each point carries minimal information on its own, but together they form complex systems. In Torus (2021), the points act as markers of structural resonance. They suggest how meaning and order emerge from repetition and accumulation, reflecting my ongoing interest in how visual symbols shift between natural, technological, and cosmic contexts.