Third Lotus Prince in Outer Space

About ‘Third Lotus Prince in Outer Space’

The Third Lotus Prince is a mythological deity that has the body of a lotus and who fights dragons in search of a new body. This quest for a new identity leads them into acts of rebellion and sacrifice, often at odds with the reigning rules and regulations in society-at-large. Floating somewhere in between the physical and cybernetic domain, this collection of contemporary adornments visualizes and materializes the magical weaponry of the Third Lotus Prince from a queer-dominated perspective. By positioning the mythological God in an unapologetically queer hyperstitional reality, Hansel creates room for an alternative interpretation of notions surrounding identity, sexuality and power. With this timely interpretation of a century-old myth, Hansel challenges us to further explore and interrogate our banal conceptions of life in the past, present, and the apocalyptic future.

- Joannette van der Veer, Curator
from Exhibition GEM Z: The Farthest from Earth We’ve Ever Been






NEO-GENESIS
Free Falling in the Cyber-Apocalypse


BMP (Blue Milk Pierced)


Nude Jade Pierced
Vol.3 
Brutal States



“Piercing” for jade seems to be a dialogue with a piece of jade in the coldest way. But when I used the word “dialogue”, I suddenly realized that I had regarded the stone jade as human in my mind. The visual stimuli presented by this series of works brought me painmade me feel painful, as if what is being pierced those body nailspiercings pierced and penetrated is not jade but a flesh and bone. The jade in front of me is no longer just a beautiful, uninterrupted  stone, but has been given a new definition and a new potential.

- Xiao Liang, Gallerist
on Tai’s solo exhibition Nude Jade Pierced at The Closer Gallery, Beijing




> Fruit-Teabag, Galerie Beyond







Fagatopia


“Hansel Tai is on a quest to expand queer aesthetics taking visual cues from various nations’ military insignia systems. He is intrigued by the logic behind their designs – such as three stars, four stars – and attempts to create a new alternative power system dynamic.” 

- Karin De Buysere & René Darmont, Gallerists  
from Exhibition BREAKING RULES