Like Dew and Like Lightning

From 13 to 25 April 2026, Monopol Berlin became the stage for an extraordinary encounter between Eastern philosophy and modern laser technology: “Like Dew and Like Lightning” – the first international solo exhibition by Taiwanese light artist Aka Chang.

The exhibition featured three large-scale, site-specific laser light installations combining photosensitive materials, a water screen, and kinetic motors. Together they translated the artist’s unique narrative and Eastern philosophical perspective into the context of the modern technological era, inviting audiences to rethink the notion of “Being” and the essence of immersive experience in our time.

The centrepiece, “Like Dew and Like Lightning”, was originally conceived for the theatrical stage and transformed into an immersive installation for Berlin. A water screen served as the projection surface for the laser light, inspired by a verse from the Buddhist Diamond Sutra:

“All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows; like dew and lightning. One should contemplate them in this way.”

Water mist became dew, laser light became lightning – together creating a fleeting spectacle that made the impermanence of all phenomena tangible. While immersion often aims for self-forgetfulness, the Buddhist concept of “Non-self” invites us to step back and maintain a clear awareness. To the artist, these two states are like two sides of the same coin, one flowing into the other.

The second installation, “RING: Kosmologia”, takes its title from the Greek study of the cosmos, combining two layers of meaning in Chinese: Yu representing the surrounding space, and Zhou signifying the continuous river of time. The work invited audiences into an immersive moment to return to their own consciousness and experience an epiphany of the “now”.

The third installation, “Being Somewhere Sometime”, marked a new exploration of ground-based vertical projection, inviting audiences to step into a large-scale landscape of light and time. 

Two PHAENON accurate 10 laser projectors from LaserAnimation Sollinger were used to create the extraordinary installations “Like Dew and Like Lightning” and “RING: Kosmologia”; their precision made the artist’s poetic vision a technical reality.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Aka Chang for his trust in our technology and for this inspiring collaboration. Special thanks also go to Mulinarius for the beautiful photographs capturing these fleeting moments of light.

Credits

Artist: Aka Chang

Like Dew and Like Lightning Performers:
Hsieh Hsiao-Ting & Hsieh Hsiao-We; Sound Artist: Mei-Fang Liau;
Technical Support: Michael Sollinger

RING: Kosmologia
Performer: TY Chen; Sound Artist: Han Cheng Yeh; Technical Artist: Dan Molnar 

Being Somewhere Sometime
Performer: TY Chen; Sound Artist: Han Cheng Yeh;
Technical Support: Amin Shahsavar

Produced by: KC Chen; Executive Producer: Wang Chun Chi; Curated by: Jose Alarcon

Laser Techniques: LaserAnimation Sollinger

Video / Photo: Mulinarius

Supported by: National Culture and Arts Foundation, Monopol Berlin, LaserAnimation Sollinger