Australian artist James Tapscott has unveiled his mesmerizing installation, Arc ZERO: Eclipse, in Godeok-I Park, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, marking a stunning addition to the city’s public art landscape. The work, a half-ring of polished stainless steel suspended over a custom-built infinity reflecting pool, creates an otherworldly interplay of light, mist, and water, transforming the rooftop garden of a mixed-use development into a space of sublime contemplation.
Tapscott’s practice is renowned for exploring humanity’s relationship with nature, and Eclipse is no exception. Unlike its predecessor, Nimbus (2017), which wrapped around bridges in Japan, this iteration focuses on a visual and sensory experience, framing the surrounding river and bridge while appearing to float impossibly in darkness. At night, the ring emits ghostly flames of light, its reflection completing the circle in the water below—a poetic meditation on perception and illusion.
Crafted from a bespoke diamond-profile stainless steel, the 8-meter-diameter ring is a feat of engineering, designed to minimize reflections and enhance immersion. The high-pressure mist system and LED lighting create an ever-shifting atmosphere, visible even from the nearby freeway, where the artwork’s ethereal glow captivates passersby.
This installation follows the success of Tapscott’s permanent Arc ZERO in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, which won the 2023 CODA Award for landscape art. Commissioned by Seoul public art agency The Ton, Eclipse underscores the city’s commitment to innovative, site-specific artworks that engage communities and redefine urban spaces.
For those eager to experience Tapscott’s immersive, elemental artistry, Arc ZERO: Eclipse is a must-see—a fleeting moment of pure coexistence between technology and nature. Discover more of his work at studio-jt.net or follow @James_Tapscott_art on Instagram.