Artist Hyunmi YOO, on her private exhibition at KYOBO art space in Seoul
2016-05-23 l Hit 3134
Interview
Artist Hyunmi YOO, on her private exhibition at KYOBO art space in Seoul
 |
“Take some rest at the library and museum everyone is dreaming of!”
There is a very special exhibition taking place in the Kyobo bookstore at Gwanghwamun: artist Hyunmi YOO’s exhibition ‘A Library in my Mind’ (from May 1, 2016 to June 26, 2016). KYOBO art space has turned into a private library. There are bookshelves filled with books, sofas that people can sit on, and tables in the library.
When you first encounter the library, it looks like just any other private study. However, if you look closely, you will realize something strange; shadows are painted on the objects located in the study, just like a painting by a painter. The artist has been continually painting on objects and taking pictures of them in order to investigate the relationship between imagination and reality. In this respect, the exhibition ‘A Library in my Mind’ provides the opportunity to get a sense of her work process.
The artist Hyunmi YOO said, “I have a fantasy about a private library. My fantasy is about taking naps and reading books in a really fancy library, rather than reading books diligently. I wanted to provide audiences with the chance to realize such a fantasy.”
 |
The artist’s work processes are shown through the exhibition and she found it rather interesting. She commented by saying, “Of course, it is somewhat risky if I expose my work processes, but I like to see audiences having fun by feeling that they are inside the artwork while walking around the exhibition. Audiences can stay inside the storytelling work and they can take pictures to make their own artwork.”
The artist’s work processes are shown through the exhibition and she found it rather interesting. She commented by saying, “Of course, it is somewhat risky if I expose my work processes, but I like to see audiences having fun by feeling that they are inside the artwork while walking around the exhibition. Audiences can stay inside the storytelling work and they can take pictures to make their own artwork.”
The artist watched some viewers walking around the space and taking pictures with their cell phones with pleased expressions. She added, “If those audiences can go back with the memory of walking around the artwork, that means enough for the exhibition.”
In order to better show the feeling of a private library, the artist collaborated with musicians and added music to the exhibition. The music was created by Moon Kim and Sangwoo Yim, and the lighting was also designed by a professional light artist.
The artist commented, “Audiences want to enjoy art, just like they enjoy dancing and singing. But the truth is that art is somewhat difficult. And yes, art needs to be thoughtful, but we can’t impose that on audiences. It is also the artists’ job to create exhibitions that the audience can just experience and enjoy.”
The artist commented, “Audiences want to enjoy art, just like they enjoy dancing and singing. But the truth is that art is somewhat difficult. And yes, art needs to be thoughtful, but we can’t impose that on audiences. It is also the artists’ job to create exhibitions that the audience can just experience and enjoy.”
Artwork created based on performance during the exhibition opening. |
The artist Hyunmi YOO is planning on making other interesting projects this year. The artist will make a movie with a scenario she wrote in her spare time. It will be a short film, with a running time of around 30 minutes, featuring scenes that happen to a female artist. She will shoot the film this year and show it next year.
Also, she is planning on forming light art group activities that let go of solemnity. The artist explained, “I came up with the art group called, Lazy Bee. I read the story of a lazy bee in a book, in which the bee was playing apart from its group, found a new flower garden, and then that discovery helped the group’s survival. I thought the lazy bee is just like an artist. Through the art group, I want to create somewhat whimsical and humorous exhibitions.”
Artist Hyunmi YOO wants to put steady and persistent effort into creating a near perfect world, both contents-wise and image-wise through her work. The artist hardened her will with the statement, “I think an artist who goes his or her own way firmly, whether other people recognize the work or not, is brave. I will also go my own way strongly.”
Written by Hyo-won Kim, a journalist at Sportsseoul,
Photographed by artist Hyunmi YOO
2016. 5. 27 ⓒKorean Artist Project
All rights reserved.
Text and images may not be reproduced, reprinted, or redistributed without express consent.
