Eye of the Storm, a swirling interplay of chaos and calm

The swirling interplay of chaos and calm takes center stage in Michael Tian's latest solo exhibition, Eye of the Storm. Showcased at Shanghai's None Project Gallery in M50 Art Park, the works capture the dynamic collision between the built environment and the metaphysical, offering viewers a glimpse into an alternate reality.

Born in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia, with roots in Shanghai, Tian's Sino-American multicultural upbringing and background in film lend his work a cinematic quality that blurs the lines between urban realism and futuristic abstraction.

At the heart of Tian's work is his fascination with the intersection of worlds – between what we see and what lies beyond. His pieces, constructed through a meticulous combination of photography, 3D software, and Photoshop, deconstruct the urban fabric into fragments that hover between chaos and order. "It's like looking through a window into another universe," he said. Tian's "windows" are portals not only to imagined spaces but also to our collective fears and hopes.

The journey into his conceptual world of "Eye of the Storm" began with the series "Taste of Metal," his debut solo exhibition last August. Presented in collaboration with McLaren Shanghai, this series laid the groundwork for his larger narrative. "With Taste of Metal, I want to capture the moment right before a massive occurrence – when the calm is so still, it's almost unnerving," the artist noted.

The series was named after the eerie stillness before lightning strikes, which Tian described as a "taste of metal" in the air.

The works are characterized by circular openings, which Tian likened to "windows" or "portals" piercing through the fabric of reality, connecting our world to a parallel dimension.

In this series, Tian juxtaposes two contrasting elements: architectural photographs reimagined as fragmented, concrete "seas" and surreal, luminous landscapes that appear almost alien.

"Reality is represented by the buildings," he said, "because each window's light represents an individual existence. Looking at a sea of windows reminds you how small we are, yet it's also a celebration of the individual." These "windows" offer both a personal and collective reflection on humanity's place in an ever-expanding, mysterious cosmos.

In these pieces, the tension is palpable: sharp contrasts between rigid architectural forms and soft, ethereal light create a sense of fragility and impending change. "I want the viewer to feel as though they were holding their breath," he explained, "waiting for something inevitable to happen."

All the architectural elements in Tian's works are derived from real photographs he has taken in Shanghai. Yet, through his process of reassembly, these recognizable forms dissolve into something unearthly. "I didn't use AI (artificial intelligence) for these compositions," he said. "Every fragment is carefully chosen and arranged to create something broken yet cohesive."

The results are collages that reflect his exploration of geometry and structure, evoking the Brutalist aesthetic while embracing the chaos of dismantling it.

While "Taste of Metal" reflects the tense quiet before a storm – the fleeting calm when two worlds are on the brink of collision, Tian's new works, displayed further within the space, thrust us into the heart of the maelstrom.

They shift from anticipation to action, with its "windows" now transformed into "eyes" – dynamic points of convergence where fragments of reality spiral and collide. "The storm has arrived," he said. "And we find ourselves at its very core."

In these works, Tian pushes his artistic exploration into new dimensions on the conceptual and visual foundations of "Taste of Metal".

Works such as Aurora I/II, Foreglow I/II, and Polarity I/II represent a direct evolution of his earlier pieces that were defined by single-plane compositions. These new works, however, employ layered structures, creating an expansive, multidimensional effect. The pieces feel as though they are breaking through the "fabric of reality", inviting viewers to step into a space where the tangible and the unknown converge.

The piece "B_01" represents a breakthrough in Tian's experiments with three-dimensionality within a two-dimensional format. Inspired by NASA's iconic "Pale Blue Dot" photograph, the piece features a sphere encircled by fragmented architectural blocks, resembling planets orbiting within a cosmic system. The imagery reflects themes of human insignificance in the vast expanse of the universe, while also emphasizing the significance of individual existence.

In "B_02" and "B_03", Tian transforms the metaphorical storm into a visceral, living entity. "B_03" is imbued with organic vitality, its center evoking a beating heart with light radiating through the darkness of a storm cloud. In contrast, "B_02" embraces a more sinister tone, using jagged, fragmented edges to convey unease and aggression.

If you go

Date: through January 19

Hours: 11am-6pm, Wednesdays to Sundays

Address: 4b101, 50 Moganshan Rd 莫干山路50号4b101

Admission: free