White Hot series explores the visualization of heat and energy through the black-and-white contrast of thermal imaging. In White Hot mode, thermal cameras enhance visibility by depicting high temperatures as bright white and low temperatures as deep black. Inspired by this process, I translate energetic presence into monochrome, introducing a new sensory dimension to my work.
In my process, white pigment applied over the textured surface of charcoal appears to radiate light. This interaction between white and the tactile depth of charcoal enhances visibility. By fragmenting, rescaling, and reconstructing imagery, I aim to reveal multiple energy-infused moments simultaneously, inviting the viewer to experience the interplay of time and energy within a single frame.
This series was inspired by The Zone of Interest (2023). In one thermal camera scene, a young girl appears to glow like a firefly in the darkness, symbolizing the radiance of her inner energy. This moment demonstrated how black and white could extend beyond mere tonal contrast to become a means of sensory transformation—an idea that deeply influenced my approach. Expanding on this visual language, I use charcoal and white pigment to capture the shifting dynamics of energy as it radiates and dissipates across the composition.
2025
moonj
