A cult classic by Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky, Solaris follows psychologist Kris Kelvin, who is sent to a space station orbiting the ocean planet Solaris. Once there, he discovers that its population is haunted by their most regretful memories—and experiences this firsthand when his late wife Hari pays him a visit. Tackling questions of memory, guilt, and love, the film offers a beautiful journey into the human psyche and a profound reflection on mankind’s interaction with the utterly alien.

A direct commentary on Western sci-fi such as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris evokes a nostalgia for Earth, which is expressed in stunning views of the home planet seen from afar. Some of these scenes are part of Liu Chuang’s video installation Bitcoin Mining and Field Recordings of Ethnic Minorities (2018)—presented in the Shanshui: Echoes and Signals exhibition—where they serve as an allegory for humanity’s insatiable hunger to expand their control over nature through technological advancements at the risk of losing what it means to be human.

Andrei Tarkovsky (1932–1986), a visionary Soviet filmmaker, is acclaimed for his long takes, dreamlike imagery, and philosophical themes. Reminiscent of his father, prominent poet Arseny Tarkovsky, his films were known for their profound and visually lyrical poetic qualities. After his celebrated debut, Ivan’s Childhood (1962), Tarkovsky’s masterpieces—Andrei Rublev (1966), Solaris (1972), Mirror (1975), and Stalker (1979)—explored memory, faith, time, and the human condition. Later, working in exile, he completed Nostalgia (1983) and The Sacrifice (1986), further cementing his legacy in the industry.