'Things I Know,' the latest installation piece by artist Kang Ik-Joong, goes on display at the Arko Art Center in Seoul. The piece combines 25,000 colored wooden tiles to form one giant mural that contains words of wisdom submitted by 2,300 ordinary people.
By Kang Gahui and Lee Hana
Photos = Arko Art Center
Seoul | Oct. 13, 2017
"What are some things in life that you know for certain?"
When installation artist Kang Ik-Joong asked this question to the public, it was answered by over 2,300 people from all walks of life through emails and the post.
From 5-year-olds to people in their 90th year, participants shared with the artist in one sentence what they felt were fundamental truths of life.
Kang pieced together these personal revelations to create an installation piece titled "Things I Know." The piece, which takes the form of a giant mural that represents the people's collective wisdom, was revealed to the public at the Arko Art Center in northern Seoul on Sept. 22.
To create the mural, Kang transferred each letter of the participants' sentences on to some 25,000 tiles, each 7.62 centimeters tall and wide, and spelled them out on the wall. The artist's trademark moon jar artwork was used as the period between sentences.
Entering the curved exhibition room, which feels a bit like the interior of the Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, visitors are met with a colorful mosaic of Hangeul letters.
The mural presents some profound messages, such as, "Life takes you on a new trip at every turn and anyone can get lost," "All men are created equal," "Cruelty to animals can become violence toward people," "All things in life need a clean finish" and "Sometimes, it's okay to take a pause."
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan submits his thoughts about life to 'Things I Know,' the latest installation piece by artist Kang Ik-Joong. It's currently on display at the Arko Art Center in Seoul and reads, 'There's no flower that blooms without the spring wind.'
"The things we know, shared by some 2,300 people, represents the collective wisdom of the year 2017. In another 100 years, this 21st century wisdom could become a heritage item for future generations," said Kang, describing his work of art.
Kang has been working on public installation art for several decades. In 2001, he completed the project "Amazed World," a giant maze installation set up in the lobby of U.N. headquarters in New York, with works by children from 150 countries. In 2004, he created "Moon of Dream," a vinyl globe consisting of 126,000 children's drawings that floats on water in Ilsan Lake Park. In 2013, he built the 175-meter "Bridge of Dreams" in Suncheon, Korea, on a similar theme.
The current exhibit is open to the public free of charge and runs until Nov. 19.
At the gallery, visitors will also be able to see exhibits that showcase works by up-and-coming artists including media artists Kang Kiseok, Kim Daum, the Moojin Brothers and architect Chung Isak.
kgh89@korea.kr
