Labyrinth of Water creates an immersive space imbued with uncertainty and a sense of weightlessness. Comprising six slanted black walls, one of which is suspended above the others, the installation forms an intricate, maze-like layout. Artist Ren Han employs his signature technique of “damaged drawing” to carve fluid shapes into the walls using tools such as axes and chainsaws.

As the audience navigates the space, they experience a disorienting sense of confusion, as if caught in chaotic motion. The work is inspired by the historical symbiotic relationship between humans and the ocean in Zhoushan. From fishing to sailing, the people of the Zhoushan Islands depended on the sea for their livelihood while grappling with its unpredictability and inherent risks.

This piece seeks to capture humanity’s simultaneous dependence on and lack of control over the raw forces of nature. Through its symbolic labyrinth, it invites philosophical reflections on the boundary between humans and the sea. It highlights the interdependence between the people of Zhoushan and the ocean, evoking a sense of danger, vulnerability, and transcendence in the face of nature’s power.