10 January 2010

Building construction (Do-Ho Suh)

This photo is shamelessly pinched from Jeanne Williamson's worthwhile and interesting blog, which I recommend you visit.

On seeing the photo I was struck by the thought, that this is what I had in mind for the imagined interiors theme, why did I forget in the meantime?

It revives a whole lot of other thoughts, which I'll try to draw on in class next week. They might fit into the "new direction" of doors, or they might spark off something else, that's the exciting, risky uncertainty (and no animals will be harmed in the process). But I will remember to try to stay focused on the doors for the next 11 weeks.

Also it reminds me of the stitched, life-size replicas of living spaces made by a Korean-born artist, shown in the Serpentine Gallery a few years ago ... thanks to the wonders of the internet, I can quickly reveal that the artist is Do-Ho Suh and the show was in 2002; here's a review.

And he's moved on to staircases - another of my recent interests - how good is that!
"3D pojagi", you might well think! He uses traditional seamstresses in Korea to put together the works.

A review of the 2003 is here, and there's an interview and videos here. He talks about his traditional training in Korea and the challenge of studying in the US - it wasn't just the language problem. His perception of personal space has changed; obviously that feeds into his work. Transporting space from one place to another is a way of dealing with cultural displacement - you can take "home" with you. He chose fabric to be light and transportable - the first "room" came to the US in two suitcases. The rooms subvert a prevalent art idea, the notion of site specificity.

Another interview and more pix here - don't miss the floor piece, and the paratrooper.

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