KoreaToday Foreign Photographer Sees Changes of Seoul
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul is rapidly changing. The city was named the World Design Capital (WDC) 2010 ― a recognition of its emphasis on improving cultural, social and economic aspects. An Italian photographer came to witness and document the transformation.
Emanuele Zamponi, an artist from Milan, Italy, has worked on numerous photographic and graphic related projects. One of them in his portfolio includes photos of craftsmen composed against a studio background. It shows his interest in the relationship between the creator and its product.
While trying to find inspiration for his next project, his friend Marco Tessiore, an Italian filmmaker residing in Korea, told him about the WDC 2010. It intrigued the Italian artist, and he became fascinated with how the dynamic city is changing from the aspect of design.
Organized by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), the WDC is a special accolade given biennially to a chosen city to celebrate its efforts to achieve social, economic and cultural improvements through design.
``I started searching on Web sites and magazines about the activity for this event. Then I discovered the Seoul Design Foundation and the project in Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park (DDP), and I started getting contacts and information,'' the 29-year-old told The Korea Times.
After the research, he decided to visit. The Italian, who previously only knew about Seoul through the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 2002 World Cup, was captivated by the Design Seoul Project.
``Coming to Korea was something that I decided to do when I understood there was some kind of inspiration for me there, especially because I didn't have that much knowledge of Korean tradition and culture,'' Zamponi said. ``I think that it is really amazing to get to know a country when coming without any preconceptions.''
He was satisfied with the trip as he met ``interesting people'' and experienced ``an amazing city.'' To Zamponi, Koreans have a very strong identity and their own way of doing things. ``Being chosen for the WDC will bring many changes to the Korean design scene, both domestically and internationally,'' the Italian photographer said.
``I think the most important aspect of the project is its form of development over time. Through the eyes of an Italian photographer, I explore the design of another culture, where the city is a great backdrop and the elements in limbo are its new architecture and its inhabitants.''
Stopover in Seoul
Zamponi's ``Seoul Design Capital'' Project explores the city's changes through the eyes of a foreigner. The goal is to consider not only the alterations made from new developments but also to look at the people behind the process.
During his two-week summer stay, he met 10 designers, took their photographs and visited the construction site of the DDP.
The DDP is a combination of a park, underground shopping mall and fashion plaza designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid.
Rhee Sang-mook of Seoul Design Foundation, who gave a tour to the Italian, said the photographer's attraction to the DDP was rare. ``We show design experts we work with around the DDP when they visit Seoul. However, Zamponi was the first to come to Korea just to see the Design Seoul project,'' she said.
He saw it as a good example of ideas and concepts structuring the city. ``It is like planting a seed, which is the natural way to grow a tree,'' Zamponi said after touring the site.
Though Dongdaemun Stadium was demolished, some parts are left as souvenirs. ``The new building has a part of the old building ― a mix and match of history by keeping the ramp of the stadium,'' said Tessiore. ``The sign of the transformation here is interesting. It is a transformation of values.''
The Faces of Design
In essence, the portraits of the designers are portraits of Seoul.
``I focus on the young, but not so famous designers in Seoul. They are not well-known yet, but are trying to do something,'' the photographer said. ``I will try to keep in contact with the designers here.''
Zamponi wants to make three trips to Seoul to document the project: one to record preparations for the WDC 2010, one to show what the actual WDC 2010 is like and one to display how the city has changed after the WDC.
He asked the designers to choose spots in Seoul that best represent them. Then he snapped three photos each of the 10 designers. ``I asked them to show me their Seoul, their idea and where they rest.''
Baik Ji-won, an architect selected Platoon Kunsthalle. It is a multi-purpose cultural spot built by his studio Urbantainer.
``I feel it's important to talk before taking the photo in order to find a connection with the subject,'' Zamponi said. He and Baik conversed over foaming beers about design, architecture and travel. ``We spoke a lot on traveling and he almost made me feel that I should try to travel a little more,'' Zamponi said.
Cho Won-suk, who runs creative studio WONSUK CHO, chose Lotte World ― an indoor amusement park, as the backdrop for his pictures. Cho's designs are in the limelight abroad and have led him to be invited to exhibitions such as 100% Design Tokyo and Designers Block London.
At the end of the shooting, Cho gave Zamponi a framed sketchbook, one of his products.
Yoon Jung-yun, the designer of the inner message ring, came out to the streets of Samcheong-dong in front of her office to pose.
``The world is getting more and more interested in Korean design. Foreign magazines often cover my designs, but it is the first time a photographer has taken pictures of me,'' she said.
Designing Change
Tessiore said the young designers of Seoul are the generation of change. Having lived in Korea for about a year and a half, he has friends who are designers and put Zamponi in touch with them.
``This new designer generation is excited to receive feedback from overseas,'' the film maker said. ``The designers welcomed the idea and shared the project through their network, providing a reference to it.''
``It was like a virus,'' added Zamponi, explaining the effective connection among the designers.
The two's relationship is mutually beneficial. Zamponi gets to dive into a unique cultural transformation and the designers get to disseminate their ideas internationally. After meeting the designers, the photographer said they have a very strong vision of tradition, which is far different from Milan designers, who have a sense of aesthetics.
This project can be a stepping stone for designers hoping to make international connections and show off their products worldwide, he said.
``The next step of the project will be making a Web site like a window for everybody,'' he said. ``Designers are open-minded. If there are any Italian designers interested in this project, they can share ideas with Korean designers.''
Zamponi wants to come back to the city for the Seoul Design Olympiad next year and again the following year. ``This is not a perfect, organized project. Things can change and I want to visit Seoul as many times as I can,'' he said. ``Everything is very new to me. This time, the shootings were personal, but I think I could see smaller details when I visit again.''