I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Exploring the Arctic through interactive art
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Irish composer Karen Power stands at the entrance of her project, “Beyond Reality,” which was exhibited during the 13th Korean International Art Fair held at the COEX in southern Seoul, on Sept. 25. / Korea Times
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
An Irish composer and a Korean photographer have joined forces in an interactive art project featuring images and sounds of penguins and ice cracking that make visitors feel they are in the Arctic.
Dry ice vapor fills the air of the small booth featuring “Beyond Reality,” produced jointly by artist Karen Power and photographer Han Sung-pil, in the Art Flash section of COEX in southern Seoul.
Inside the booth, a big screen on the wall shows video footage of the Arctic landscape, penguins and the icy region’s turbulent past, present and future.
Four speakers in the corners play the sounds of ice cracking and the sea.
Power said that for the project, she and Han spent three weeks in the Arctic last year.
She said she composed a surround sound using all the sounds of the places they visited.
“So there is no actual music,” she said, referring to the sound from the speakers as the screen showed large icebergs. “Everything is comprised of field recordings. What you are hearing now is the different sounds of ice cracking.”
During their time in the Arctic, Power and Han stayed on a ship to record sea sounds and ice cracking, and to take photos.
“Mine is purely sound. Everything you hear is me. And Sung-pil made these images,” she said.
Power said the project was challenging partly because of the language barrier and because people involved in the project had different needs.
“Bringing all those needs together was a challenge,” she said.
Power was inspired to record ice in 2010 when she was a composer in residence in Banff, Canada. She said the sound of ice fascinated her. This prompted her to team up with Han, who she met last year.
Their project is on display at the 13th Korean International Art Fair, which opened on Thursday and will run until Monday.
Irish Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue expressed hope that the Irish-Korean artists’ collaboration would stir further cooperation between the countries’ artists.
“Collaborations, such as that between contemporary Irish composer Power and Korean photographer Han show us how culture can break down boundaries and create connections across the globe,” the envoy said.
“Their installation at Art Flash at the KIAF is a feast for the eyes and ears.
“Karen is enthusiastic about developing further work with Korean partners and we look forward to welcoming her back to Seoul.”