Within the depths of contemporary culture's sea of innovation, undersea cables emerge as a profound marvel of modern technology, akin to the enigmatic depths explored in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." These concealed strands of fiber-optic splendor traverse vast oceans, their significance echoing through the currents of global communication. Seamlessly transmitting data across boundaries, they forge a tapestry of international connectivity and access to the virtual realm. Much like Captain Nemo's Nautilus, these cables navigate the intricate intricacies of real-time global discourse, where social interactions and entertainment flow unencumbered. Streaming and collaboration become a symphony, as these submerged conduits underwrite the very foundations of e-commerce, financial systems, and remote labor, binding them seamlessly to the global economy. Beyond their tangible form, these cables transcend mere infrastructure to symbolize a world without limits, a redefinition of cultural interplay, education, and contemporary involvement. Just as Verne's literary opus embarked on an odyssey into uncharted territories, so too do these cables journey into the unexplored horizons of human connection, redefining the parameters of modern existence.

Q: What inspired your interest in undersea cables as a foundational infrastructure?

Tan Mu: The completion of Eruption in 2022 sparked a deeper curiosity in me, prompting me to further explore the theme. This painting focused on the dramatic eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga, documenting its impact on global communication networks. In January 2022, the eruption severely damaged submarine cables, cutting off Tonga’s communication with the world. It was the first time I realized how much modern society depends on submarine cables, rather than satellite systems, for communication infrastructure.

While creating Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea in 2023, I shifted my focus from a specific event to submarine cables as a symbol of global connectivity. Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, I equate modern technology with Captain Nemo’s Nautilus, exploring the unknown depths of the ocean. In this piece, I stylized the submarine cables as invisible networks stretching across the globe. They not only carry the flow of information but also symbolize the deep interconnections between culture, economics, and society. Through painting, I reimagine these technological marvels, elevating them into metaphors that redefine modern existence.

Q: In your work, beyond being a technological infrastructure, how do undersea cables convey and reflect human cultural, social, and emotional connections?

Tan Mu: In my work, submarine cables are not merely technological infrastructures; they are conduits of human connection, embodying both tangible and intangible aspects. On one hand, they carry the flow of information that links individuals, cultures, and societies across vast distances. Yet beyond their functional purpose, they hold humanity’s collective memory, much like a neural network transmitting individual information and memories. Undersea fiber-optic cables function as externalized pathways of memory circulation, and the way they intertwine and stretch across oceans connects our shared histories and collective consciousness. From this perspective, I see them as more than just cables—they are the veins and invisible backbone of a global human network.

Q: How do you express the "tangible and intangible, visible and invisible" characteristics of undersea cables in your creations?

Tan Mu: The interplay between the visible and the invisible manifests on many levels in my work. First, undersea cables are buried deep beneath the ocean, and their immense scale and secrecy make them impossible to directly document or photograph. Thus, painting becomes a form of "indirect documentation," transforming these "invisible structures" into visible, celebrating this essential infrastructure.

Furthermore, undersea cables facilitate the transmission of information, forming channels that carry humanity's collective memory. This process of making the invisible visible conceptually illustrates human cultural, social, and emotional connections. The outer casing of undersea cables, made of high-strength plastic, reflects what Michelle Guo describes as part of the "new order," highlighting the significance of this new-age material in today's global context. As undersea cables are constantly evolving, my work also bears witness to technological advancements and transformations, turning the artwork itself into a vessel of time.

This invisibility also extends to hidden labor. Undersea cables represent a colossal information infrastructure that consumes immense human effort. Through depicting cross-sections and further expanding on this theme in Signal: Submarine Network (2024), I aim to visualize the hidden labor behind this system. It is not merely an abstract technological network but the result of significant human, material, and meticulous design efforts. This process reflects the power of global collaboration, connecting disparate regions. Every time we transmit information through these cables, it is supported by countless unseen efforts and contributions.