Gallery All stages art and design that harnesses ‘Illumination as Prelude’

The perception of art and design, akin to any other three-dimensional entity that one encounters, is inextricably linked to light. An object's potential, expression, emotion and silhouette mutates with changing light, playing an intrinsic role in the alchemy of spaces. Diving into the ceaseless possibilities of light, Gallery All, marking its tenth anniversary, is set to unveil a group exhibition dubbed Illumination as Prelude. The exhibition, to run from July 22 - August 11, 2024, will showcase the latest creations of Zhipeng Tan, Michael Young and the Haas Brothers.

Rapid technological advancement over the years has translated into the evolution of light’s application—augmenting the range and redefining the limits of artistic expression. Transcending its role as a mere component of illumination, it interweaves with what it illuminates—building narratives, evoking emotions, elevating experiences and prompting closer assessment. The subtle dance of light and shadow delineates the expression of an artwork, nurturing the connection between the viewer and the artwork. At the Shanghai-based art gallery, the participating artists—Tan, Young and the Haas Brothers—will harness light as a means of interpretation, emotion and reflection, leading to the central question (and its answer): what does light do as a prelude?

Light as a symbol of self-discovery

Chinese artist Zhipeng Tan's oeuvre is a juxtaposition of cultural heritage and contemporary flair. Traditional craftsmanship resides at the heart of his work. The sculpture artist’s recent lighting design, the Flora floor lamp boasts botanical forms that appear to be altered by human technology. The steel framework at the base, evocative of abandoned industrial structures, supports new life, with the sleek metal stems shooting upwards, and glowing orbs secured in their core. Here, the light emerges as a symbol of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. Being the opening piece, the lamp design fosters anticipation of the show’s narrative.

His collection of sculptural art dubbed Tan Tan is an imaginary world where Tan Tan is the narrator as well as the sculptor’s alter ego. His piece, Up, draws inspiration from childhood memories such as playing hide-and-seek and enjoying helium balloons. When illuminated, the light blends with poetic memories, offering a deeper experience of reality within fiction.

Light as nature

Simon and Nikolai Haas, the Los Angeles-based twins behind the Haas Brothers, gravitate towards a more surreal aesthetic. In the exhibition space, the artists present Moon Towers, a series inspired by the street lamps of their childhood home in Austin, Texas. These lamps lit the neighbourhood much like moonlight; presently, only six of these remain in the area. The towering organic silhouettes crafted by the brothers play with their idea of moonlight—expressing serenity, natural beauty and an elusive innocence. The Haas Brothers strive to offer the viewers sensations similar to those that occur when one wanders under the moonlight, encountering sculptural entities in a white space.

Light as sculpture

Young, a renowned Hong Kong-based industrial designer is known for his research in, and innovative use of aluminium. Expanding on his research with extruded aluminium, the designer presents the ALLTOTEMs. The light sculptures take cues from ancient Chinese art and craftsmanship and the traditional lanterns that permeate the culture. The investigation results in a dialogue between the material and light, highlighting the reflective and refractive qualities of the material further, to reveal its many possibilities in design.

The collection comprises a limited edition of 18 units in several shapes and randomly generated patterns—all embodying a meticulous overlap of visual languages of the East and the West. “I am captivated by the culture I experienced in Asia. Integrating these traditional elements with technology is a way of preserving and continuing cultural heritage—I firmly believe such attempts hold extraordinary significance,” the British designer says.