Cheng-Lin Tsai is a Taiwanese photographic artist based in London. His main focus is on fine-art photography, urban change, landscape and spatial politics. Informed by sociological insights and artistic vision, Cheng-Lin’s works invite contemplation of the power dynamics inherent in urbanisation, and encourage introspection by provoking us to consider the role of capitalism in forming our identities and the effect of these identities on our collective sense of self. Cheng-Lin was nominated by Aesthetica magazine for the Next Generation Award 2020.

 

Housing, a fundamental human necessity, becomes an extension of our very being, shaping the ways we interact with the world, both physically and emotionally. In the realm of Robin Hood Gardens, an estate on the verge of demolition and redevelopment, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Initiated in 2022, this project delves into the profound social impact of housing and the evolving urban landscape on the last few inhabitants of this Brutalist masterpiece.

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In a world where structures rise and fall and ideologies go through cycles of birth and abandonment, Nietzsche's concept of "eternal return" is embodied. Repetition, the perpetual process of deconstruction and reconstruction, mirrors the eternal dance of creation and destruction. Beyond the physical realm of architecture, the project delves into the intricate web of emotions, memories, and existence woven within these walls.

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"The Space Between" invites us into the intimate interiors of Robin Hood Gardens, capturing not only the spaces but also the essence of lives shaped by a relentless cycle of renewal. On one hand, the glossy allure of newly built flats reflects modern aspirations. On the other hand, the large-format photographs reveal the soul of ageing social housing, its colours carrying stories of the past.

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This is a project that unites the old and the new. 'The Space Between' speaks to the dichotomy of progress and heritage, prompting us to stand on the precipice of a revolving cycle. As buildings crumble and ideologies shift, the human desire for connection and belonging remains eternally. Here, the past gives way to the future, and the transience of existence is comforted by the permanence of human experience.