Arc ZERO: Eclipse by James Tapscott anchors a new public artwork in Godeok district Seoul
Arc ZERO: Eclipse by Australian artist James Tapscott has been unveiled in Seoul, marking a significant moment for contemporary public art in the city’s rapidly developing Godeok district. Installed within Godeok-I Park in Gangdong-gu, the work occupies a rooftop garden designed as a calm, accessible environment for residents and visitors, reinforcing the role of art as part of everyday urban life.
Arc ZERO: Eclipse continues Tapscott’s long-standing investigation into perception, atmosphere, and humanity’s connection with natural forces. The installation employs mist, water, and light to generate an experience that feels elemental rather than technological. By working directly with these materials, Tapscott avoids digital simulation in favor of physical phenomena, allowing viewers to encounter nature as an active participant in the artwork rather than as an imitation.
The piece represents an evolution of Arc ZERO, first realized in Japan in 2017 under the name Nimbus. While the earlier Nimbus installations were typically architectural and immersive, often wrapping around bridges to envelop visitors, Eclipse shifts the emphasis toward visual perception. The half-ring structure is positioned directly within a custom-built infinity reflecting pool, with the circular form completed by its mirrored image on the water’s surface.
As daylight fades, the illuminated mist transforms the work into a hovering presence that appears detached from gravity and horizon. Light refracts through the fine water particles, extending outward in subtle movement, while the dark center of the ring suggests a dense absence in space. Unlike previous controlled installations where the central void appeared almost opaque, this version remains open, intentionally framing the bridge and river beyond as part of the composition.
For this Seoul installation, the ring has been fabricated with a bespoke diamond-profile section. This complex geometry minimizes direct reflections of viewers, preserving the sense of immersion and preventing self-image from interrupting the experience. The technical difficulty of this fabrication underscores Tapscott’s commitment to material precision in service of perceptual clarity.
The rooftop location was selected to maximize both proximity and distance. From within the garden, the work offers a contemplative encounter with water and light, while from farther away, including nearby roadways, the shifting illuminated mist provides a visible marker within the urban landscape.
Previous Arc ZERO installations have appeared internationally, including a permanent work in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, which received the 2023 CODA Award for landscape art. The Seoul installation was curated and commissioned by the Seoul public art agency The Ton, which also managed local production and installation, with additional project curation by Jane Lee.
Photo credit: Studio JT with courtesy of v2com
