From the early video, sound and mechanical powered installations to the recent light shadow works, Tao Ya Lun has continued to focus on the current era of information technology and our position and existence within the current state. His works doesn’t linger on the superficial imagery, technical aspect or effects, but instead contemplate on the philosophical discourse, provoking self reflection. As a new media artist, Tao Ya Lun’s practice attempts the opposite, collapsing the virtual awareness through the presence of the body and consciousness. The solo exhibition "Disappearance of Subject" is in stark contrast to the virtual reality, using lights, fire and lenses; leading the viewer wandering through the sub- conscious like virtual realm between the real and imaginary.

Tao Ya Lun, born in 1966, graduated from the Graduate Institute of Plastic Arts, Tainan National University of The Arts. "Disappearance of Subject" will feature five large-scale works, the first piece uses reflection and focusing of light, to project image of the viewer onto the wall, allowing them to objectively view their own projected external image and contemplate its delusive nature; while the second is created from candlelight refracted through a mirror projection, viewers will see both the intrinsic and extrinsic desires fluttering within the virtual image. The third piece objectively but at the same time vaguely showing a representation of the outside world, prompting viewers to reconstruct their understanding of the visual world; the fourth one allow the viewers to re-examine the functions of light and its nature; the final piece can reflect the viewer and their surroundings, the viewer is faced with a blurring image in which the relationship oneself and the world is discovered.

The five pieces of work together provide a self exploring journey of self conscious and exterior reality, employing the deep relationship civilization has with light, investigating influence on mankind, discussing the complex action of seeing, providing a critical evaluation into the understanding of self, the external, the internal, and even the world allowing for a new perceptive.

In “Disappearance of Subject” through the ever-changing nature of light and shade, Tao Ya Lun allow the viewers to reach the edge of their self awareness and philosophical reasoning as they interact with the exhibition works, hoping when faced with the ephemeral and indistinct image in front of them, viewers can experience the moment when consciousness awake.

*image (left)
© Tao Ya-Lun
Courtesy of VT Art Salon