Archie Hayes 
Sitting quietly along the banks of Seoul’s Han River, James Tapscott’s installation, Arc ZERO: Eclipse, feels as though it’s drifted straight from a dream. It breathes gentle clouds of mist, its shimmering surface deliberately avoids reflecting onlookers, and as the sun dips lower, it captures an otherworldly glow that feels almost supernatural.
Tapscott’s latest piece is part of his celebrated Arc ZERO series, known for inviting quiet reflection on the awe-inspiring beauty of natural phenomena. Arc ZERO: Eclipse, a graceful half-ring structure, softly releases mist and diffused light, reminiscent of a celestial halo whose shape and presence subtly shift as daylight transitions into dusk. It floats above a custom-designed infinity pool, adding to its ethereal charm by appearing suspended mid-air over the bustling cityscape. In a thoughtful visual twist, the reflective water below completes the arc, creating the illusion of an entire circle that encloses and frames the distant bridge.
What’s especially impressive about Arc ZERO: Eclipse is Tapscott’s intentional restraint with technology. The installation’s bespoke diamond-shaped profile, although incredibly challenging to fabricate, ensures viewers seldom see their reflections, preserving a profound sense of immersion. “It’s designed to maintain a pure interaction with natural elements rather than merely mimicking them through technological means,” Tapscott notes.
Previous renditions of Arc ZERO have graced landscapes globally—from the serene environments of Denmark and Scottsdale, Arizona, to the contemplative spaces of Japan. Notably, a 2023 installation at Australia’s Lake Tyrell, a surreal salt-encrusted lakebed, made the artwork seem to stretch infinitely into the horizon, evoking a celestial body gently suspended against the night sky. Another permanent installation in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, even garnered the prestigious 2023 CODA award for landscape art, further highlighting the powerful emotional resonance of Tapscott’s creations.
“My goal is to embrace the intrinsic beauty of natural materials, crafting objects that radiate simplicity, elegance, and functionality,” Tapscott explains. He adds that this purposeful minimalism allows his works to effortlessly complement a wide range of architectural styles and settings.
