Kang Ik-joong Unveils New Works in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Staff Reporter

It's been 14 years since New York-based artist Kang Ik-joong has had a solo show in Korea. The artist, known for his exquisite moon jars and installations composed of colorful 3x3-inch wooden tiles, is unveiling new works at the ``Baram eu ro suk ee go ddang eu ro ee eur ji go'' (Mixed by the Wind, Joined by the Soil) exhibition at Gallery Hyundai, Sagan-dong, downtown Seoul.

Kang's exhibition is just a stone's throw away from one of his works, ``Mountain-Wind,'' which is currently covering the facade of Gwanghwamun Gate as it undergoes restoration work.

Inside Gallery Hyundai, visitors can see ``1,392 Moon Jars,'' which features bluish-hued ceramic jars laid out in a circle, as well as the paintings ``40 Moon Jars'' and ``Flower Moon Jars.'' Kang has a special fondness for these jars, which he described as filled with innocence and pride.

On the second floor of the gallery, hundreds of 3x3-inch wooden panels are brought together to create the cheerful installation ``Happy World.'' They are painted in bright colors, while some are decorated with everyday objects such as plastic action figures, heart-shaped key chains, tiny Buddhas and other toys. Video screens show photos of birds, while chirping echoes through the hall.

``Hangeul'' (the Korean alphabet) is also a major theme in Kang's works. ``Things I Know'' features 3x3-inch wooden panels with Korean words on them, which when placed side-by-side can form sentences.

``Assuming small units gather for a bigger construction, Kang juxtaposes each single canvas next to each other and creates huge narrative structures together. On the other hand, the way he juxtaposes the rectangular frames naturally stands out for a grid structure,'' Ki Hey-kyoung, curator at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, said in the exhibition essay.

Next month, ``Things I Know'' will be part of the Korea Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Over 40,000 of Kang's colorful hand-painted 3x3-inch tiles will cover the exterior of the pavilion, and will be sold after the Expo.

Kang also presens ``Mountain Waterfall,'' ``Mountain'' and ``Mountain Roads,'' paintings on wooden panels that evoke traditional Korean landscapes.

``In between hangeul and moon jars, which might represent Koreaness, Kang has tried to talk about communication and harmonization. He is now about to extend his perspective towards nature, mountains, the moon, clouds, the sky and waterfalls. ... The simple and compact rhythm created by the harmonization of black and white color travels around the bluish sky and Mother Nature within the moon jars. The journey continues through wild flowers, blowing wind, the earth and embraces our life after all,'' Ki said.

Ki noted Kang's work might have a few similarities with Pop Art. ``(But) unlike Warhol's superficial, cool way of delving into the subject, Kang, however, lays open what he simply thinks, feels, realizes and adjusts,'' Ki said.

Kang, who was born in Cheong-ju in 1960, has lived and worked in New York since 1984. He studied at Hongik University and Pratt Institute. His works are widely shown around the world. One of his memorable works was the ``Amazed World'' project, featuring 40,000 children's works from 150 countries that were shown in a gigantic maze installation in the United Nations lobby from September 2001 to April 2002.

Another of Kang's murals, containing 5,900 pieces of the 3x3-inch works, was commissioned and is now being displayed at the San Francisco International Airport. Last year, Kang had a joint show ``Multiple/ Dialogue'' with the late artist Paik Nam-june at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon.

The exhibition at Gallery Hyundai runs through May 2. To get there, get off at Anguk Station line 3, exit 1, walk straight towards Gyeongbok Palace and turn right at the second corner. The gallery is around 200 meters on your right. Admission is free. Visit www.galleryhyundai.com.