Artstrology: Taurus 2021, Eye of the Beholder

We are almost halfway through Uranus’s transit in Taurus, which began in 2018, but 2021 might be the year when that energy is truly brought to its peak, due to Uranus’s conflicting aspects with the planets in Aquarius. The skyrocketing non-fungible token (NFT) market is one of the most obvious manifestations of the Uranus-Taurus combo, as Uranus symbolizes technological advancement, while Taurus (ruled by Venus, goddess of love and beauty) represents money and art. NFT art, together with the development of online art experiences, are going to drive further evolution in the art market.

Regardless of the world’s troubles, the quest for beauty is essential to Taurus. Hong Kong artist Lee Kit shared his thoughts on beauty during his interview with ArtAsiaPacific: “Prettiness arouses temptation. It is ready to be consumed. Beauty makes you sit down and enjoy the moment; I think beauty actually takes you somewhere else, to a better place.” As a Taurus, Lee is easily touched by objects in daily life—it is the sign’s gift to discover beauty in the mundane, material world. At his exhibition "Something you can’t leave behind” (2017) at Hong Kong’s Massimo De Carlo gallery, Lee included a cup for no reason other than that he saw beauty in a cup under sunlight, and decided to present the object as it was instead of struggling to articulate its beauty through his own filter. 

Korean artist Kimsooja also uses found materials in her works, which showcase her attentiveness to vibrant colors. Her signature series of bottari—colorful bundles tied and wrapped with old clothes, usually created by women in Korean families for travel—explores notions of migration and memory. Looking at these bundles, one might imagine the remnants of warmth left by the previous owners of these clothes. With their contents concealed, the bundles come with a sense of distance, but the distance prompts you to observe attentively and gradually draws you closer. Works by Taurus artists are restrained in such ways. As curator Annett Reckert explained of Kimsooja’s bottari: “These rounded bundles, so tempting to the touch, do not at first evoke the impression of intense corporeality or intimacy. But contact with a soft, smooth, clinging material like cloth is itself body-related, connected to its extending motions.”

Following busy Aries season, the month of Taurus often brings us to a strange halt. This is especially true this year as on April 23, Mars will move into Cancer, which typically is a challenging position for the planet of action and movement (because crabs walk sideways!). We might have to take some time to adjust our direction and pace, but this is also an opportunity to rest and relax, as Taurus are best at doing.

This article is written for entertainment purposes only.

Pamela Wong is ArtAsiaPacific’s assistant editor.

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