The “underground” craftsmen and artists of Seoul Art Space Sindang are initiating an exhibition titled "Gong, Gongui Bang _ Rooms for Art and Craft in Public Space,” at their other location, Seoul Art Space Seogyo near Hongik University, Seoul.
Seoul Art Space Sindang (SASS) is located in the underground arcade below Jungang Market in Jung-gu, central Seoul, and provides studios for local artists, especially craftsmen.
The poster for the exhibition is a planar figure for a box, which can be used as a pedestal at the exhibition as well as a “to-go” box.
The characteristics of the SASS boost collaboration of artists and local market merchants.
At this exhibition Oh Hwa-jin presents four of her works ― “The Consolation,” “Molybdenum,” “Walking for the Enlightenment” and “The Device.” Her creations take inspiration from everyday objects merchants use such as stools, tripods, knives and dishes. She covers them with red wool, cotton and other materials to make her sculptures.
“Oh applied for the Sindang studio because she wanted to work with objects from the market. While the other artists just needed studio space, it has to be SASS for Oh,” Bae So-hyun of SASS said.
The Sindang Life History Museum section on the left side of the gallery features a Louis Vuitton Speedy-shaped bag made from linoleum and a green vest made from glittering acrylic yarn paired with a dish-washing sponge made from the same material. These are unique works representing Seoul Art Space Sindang as those are collaborations of artists and local merchants of Jungang Market.
Lee Mee-hwa, the planner of "Gong, Gongui Bang," is in charge of the project. The beige-colored backpack on display is inspired by the doughy wraps used to make dumplings and designed by local seamstress. "The artist just brought the idea to the needle worker and the sewer actually came up with the design," Bae said.
Seoul Art Space Sindang's second exhibit is scheduled for this winter and will feature more works from the Sindang Life History Museum. "We will pursue more cooperative works with local storekeepers," Bae added.
The exhibition continues to the upper floor where visitors can see a stop motion animation along the staircase. On the rooftop, Kim Tae-hoon's "Love of Bengal Rubber Tree (Are You in Love?)" is displayed. Cute but bizarre-looking ceramic figures stand, or even hang, in a shabby house.
The exhibition runs through Tuesday. Visit www.seoulartspace.or.kr or call (02) 2232-8833 for more information.
