'Time in Space' explores change of lifestyle
Joseon-era painter Jeong Seon's "Album of Paintings of the Eight Views in Jangdong Sesimdae" and Kwon Dae-sup's 2019 work "Moon Jar" are displayed with Helena Tynell's delicate "Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp" (1960s) and Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm's "Daybed PK80" at "Time in Space: The Life Style" exhibition at PKM Gallery in central Seoul. / Courtesy of PKM Gallery
By Kwon Mee-yoo
COVID-19 has changed lifestyles fundamentally ― quarantine and contactless living have become the "new normal." Taking inspiration from the prolonged time people spend at home, PKM Gallery's new exhibition "Time in Space: The Life Style" explores the expanded function and meaning of residential space.
"The exhibit aims to provide insight into the time we spend at home. As we spend more time in our living space working, video conferencing and enjoying leisure time, we might be able to look back on our lives and create a vision for the future," said Park Kyung-mee, founder and president of PKM Gallery.
The exhibit offers an intriguing combination of traditional and contemporary Korean art as well as works of international artists and a variety of design furniture and objects at the gallery's annex, which was originally designed by architect Kim Chung-up. The residential house, built in 1969, was converted into a gallery space a few years ago, but still has the ambience of a living space with its low ceiling and cozy basement.
The first floor reminds visitors of a living room and study in an art collector's house.
Bright orange-colored "Big-Flower-Pot Pendant" designed by Verner Panton in the 1960s beams down on 19th century Korean artist Jo Hui-ryong's "Plum Blossom Painting" and renowned Dansaekhwa artist Yun Hyong-keun's "Umber-Blue" (1986-1988). A vintage Victor RCA audio from the 1940s plays pianist Paik Kun-woo's rendition of Schumann on a 1973 Philips speaker under Jo's painting.
Andrea Zittel's "A-Z Aggregated Stacks #39," which could be a sculpture or a bookshelf, is settled with a backdrop of Jeong Young-do's colorful abstract “Mud Play in My Place.”
Traditional and contemporary Korean paintings are displayed with design furniture at "Time in Space: The Life Style" at PKM Gallery in central Seoul. / Courtesy of PKM Gallery
Helena Tynell's delicate "Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp" (1960s) is displayed with a master landscape "Album of Paintings of the Eight Views in Jangdong Sesimdae" by Joseon era painter Jeong Seon from around the 17th and 18th centuries. Ceramics artist Kwon Dae-sup's 2019 work "Moon Jar" is standing in a corner.
"The exhibit encompasses a wide range of eras from the 17th-century paintings and letters to very contemporary artworks just completed this year. There is great energy coming from the unexpected mixture of art of all ages and cultures," Park said.
“Though each object seems poles apart from another, there is a context. For instance, Jeong Seon's real-view landscape and Jeong Young-do's abstract painting seem like they have nothing in common with each other, but Jeong Seon painted the landscape he saw and Jeong Young-do portrayed his internal landscape through abstract visual language.”
The basement is turned into an elegant lounge.
"The space was originally used as a lounge by the previous owner, so it was natural for us to recreate the atmosphere," Park explained.
Lee Won-woo's light work "You Are My Burning Light" greets visitors as they descend the stairs.
Under the stairs is a classic Chesterfield sofa, best known for used by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Opposite the sofa is 17th century Korean letters written by Shin Heum and Heo Mok during the 17th century on elegant Rococo-style wallpaper.
Installation view of the basement of "Time in Space: The Life Style" at PKM Gallery / Courtesy of PKM Gallery
Further into the basement is more design furniture reminiscent of a bar.
On “Bar Table” and “Bar Shelf” created by carpentry studio Smallstudiosemi are 19th century Buduk records, highlighted by Gino Vistosi's “Disk Chandelier,” and Han Jeong-yong's graceful white porcelain bottle and cups.
T-shirt art by Park Moon-hwan such as “Debt-Jam Refining ― 'Grateful Debt'” and “Let Them Eat Cake” and Sambypen's cartoon style characters “Daughter” and “Son” lighten up the atmosphere, breathing in fresh, youthful energy.
"You can see modern sculptor Kwon Jin-kyu's ink drawing along with young artists energetic works from the bar table. By looking at the past and the future, we could reflect on the times and shape the future," Park said.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 30. Advance reservation is required to visit the gallery.