743 Art Lab

743 Art Lab is an experimental venue that combines artist studios and art galleries.743 Art Lab aims to create a pure space for creation and spiritual exploration of art. Here, the artists can make art, chat with friends, and showcase work. Experience the changing light throughout the day and the simplicity brought by materials and space. Here, time slows down, and space transforms accordingly. Functionality — Pursuing the Essence of Space This art space combines artist studios, rest areas, and gallery functions into one. Due to its southwest orientation, the rectangular space is strategically divided into two main functional areas from north to south. The artist's creation space is placed in the south, where the lighting is more favorable, maintaining the original ceiling height to ensure excellent natural light and a creative environment throughout the day. Meanwhile, the northeast side, which receives less light, is designated for entrance, corridor, kitchen, storage, and bathroom as auxiliary functions. Taking advantage of the high ceiling, the space is divided into two levels, with the second floor designed as a rest area. The stair platform that connects the first to the second floor also serves as a meditation space exclusively for the artist. The gallery space, embracing the concept of "a room within a room," becomes the core of the entire area. It connects the interior with the exterior through a method of concealment, preserving the design of the arched top. This setup not only allows for flexible display functions but also inspires reverence for art among visitors, striking a chord with their souls. Form—Returning Space to Its Essence The spatial organization is inspired by the Song Dynasty's Guo Xi's advocacy for Chinese landscape painting's "walking and dwelling" philosophy, applicable to the spatial intention of Chinese gardens. The winding paths and the manner of viewing nature and humanity within these spaces are designed to make one feel the disappearance of temporal and spatial scales. Materiality—Endowing Space with Life I have a fondness for genuine, unpretentious materials because they can breathe, aging gracefully with time and air, thus imbuing the space with a life force. Consequently, the natural hue and texture of concrete emerge as the most prevalent aspect within the space, aimed at balancing the cold and suffocating feel of cement. Light—Marking Time in Space Light is a medium, a material in its own right; when harnessed, it delineates time within a space. Through the changing light, we witness the flow of time, with the overall space pursuing brightness, not just illumination. To me, a sense of brightness is an essential serenity, a yearning of the heart, an emotional turmoil, and a continuation of the inner spirit. FF&E—Giving Space Expression Most of the artworks displayed in the space are creations of the artist themselves, replaced entirely with exhibition-related works during exhibition periods.