In today’s world, people constantly absorb, share, and process vast amounts of information. The rise of computers and digitalization has made instant communication and multitasking the norm. Web (2021) depicts the reality of multitasking and information overload in the digital age. The composition presents multiple overlapping windows, symbolizing the multi-window workflow that has become second nature to modern individuals. These windows contain news, entertainment videos, social media, online forums, and emails, forming a fragmented yet familiar reflection of our daily online lives. The black background represents the virtual space of the internet, while the floating windows act as fragmented pieces of the digital experience—both familiar and abstract. This work not only explores how information is disseminated, but also addresses the societal transformation brought about by the digital revolution. As the world transitions from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based one, the ability to manage and access information has become central to modern life, fundamentally intensifying our dependence on information systems and their governance.

Q: Your work Web explores themes of information networks and a media-driven society. Could you share the inspiration and creative background behind this piece?

Tan Mu: This work was inspired by our everyday experience of living within a media-driven society. Information, images, and news circulate constantly, shaping how we perceive the world. We exist inside a dense web of data, surrounded by news feeds, advertisements, notifications, and digital interfaces. Web attempts to capture this condition by translating the flow of information into a visual language. Rather than focusing on specific content, the work reflects the rhythm, speed, and fragmentation of information as it moves through contemporary life.

Q: Web captures the moment of a page transition. What does this moment represent for you?

Tan Mu: I have always been drawn to temporality and the power of fleeting moments. Like several of my other works, Web focuses on an instant that appears insignificant but carries deep consequences. In The Splash of a Drop 1, I depict the moment a water droplet hits a surface, referencing how photography reshaped visual perception. In Trinity Testing, I capture the seconds of a nuclear explosion, marking the beginning of the nuclear age. Web freezes the moment when a browser shifts from one page to another, reflecting the rapid evolution of the internet and information technology.

Although these moments are brief, their effects extend far beyond the instant itself. They ripple outward, influencing how society develops. The internet and nuclear energy are two of the most transformative forces of modern history. One reshaped how we communicate and access knowledge, while the other introduced both immense power and irreversible risk. Through these works, I explore how short-lived moments can define entire eras and shape our collective future.

Q: The composition features multiple floating pages. Could you talk about how you developed this visual effect?

Tan Mu: The floating pages represent the experience of browsing the internet, especially the transitional moment when a page loads or shifts. At first, I included multiple overlapping elements such as news articles, advertisements, and recognizable media logos. Over time, I chose to simplify these details. I transformed text and logos into abstract color blocks, allowing the composition to become more universal and less tied to specific sources.

The layered, floating structure mirrors how we visually experience digital navigation. A dark background allows the pages to emerge clearly in the foreground, creating strong contrast and spatial depth. This approach connects to earlier works like Silicon and Logic Circuit, where I also explored layered compositions and stark contrasts. The darkness suggests the vastness and complexity of information systems, while the floating pages emphasize the fragmented and temporary nature of digital experience.

Q: Your composition relies heavily on straight lines and rectangular forms. What is the significance of these shapes?

Tan Mu: The straight lines and geometric structures reflect the highly systematized nature of contemporary visual culture. Unlike the organic curves found in earlier artistic traditions, modern visual experience is dominated by grids, rectangles, and rigid forms. This shift became especially pronounced after movements like Cubism and has continued through digital interface design, architecture, and everyday objects.

By using these geometric elements, I aim to distill the visual logic of our time. The composition encourages viewers to reflect on how modern systems shape not only what we see, but also how we think and process information. Through this structured visual language, I explore the aesthetic and cognitive transformations that define our current media environment.