16/11/2004
Gimhongsok / Sora Kim
Redcat, Los Angeles
New projects. The artists are recognized internationally as independent artists and frequent collaborators. Although each employs a unique practice, both the artists engage tactile objects in a complex system of process-based work. Sora Kim's installations offer provocative and necessary explorations of the subjectivity of value and consumption. Gimhongsok uses art to bring up challenging issues that concern nation, economy and culture.
New projects
Gimhongsok and Sora Kim are recognized internationally as independent artists and frequent collaborators. Last year, their collaborative sculpture and sound installation Chronic Historical Interpretation Syndrome was featured in Zones of Urgency, curated by Hou Hanru, in the 50th Venice Biennale (2003). They are currently exhibiting together in the Antarctica exhibition at the ArtSonje Center in Seoul, Korea. Both are creating new works for their exhibition at REDCAT.
Although each employs a unique practice, both Gimhongsok and Sora Kim engage tactile objects in a complex system of process-based work. Eungie Joo, Gallery Director/Curator at REDCAT, explained, "I generally consider them sculptors, but their practice is quite complicated. Both Gimhongsok and Sora Kim use art at a means of communication--non-hierarchical interactions that serves to de-institutionalize space. They take common elements from people and daily life and organize them in ways that create unexpected exchanges and dialogue."
Sora Kim's installations offer provocative and necessary explorations of the subjectivity of value and consumption. In Capitol Plus Credit Union, viewers were invited to "deposit" everyday objects in the artist's "credit union" for the duration of the exhibition. The objects then became elements in the installation. After an item's size, weight, use and other factors were measured and noted on a deposit slip, it began to earn interest based on the artist's own calculation of an item's value. The manner in which interest was accrued remained speculative and at the exhibition's close, participants received various objects as interest on their deposit.
Gimhongsok uses art to bring up challenging issues that concern nation, economy and culture. Boat considers its own integral relationship to the motion, logic, and internal economy of exhibitions. Treating the project as movement, the artist began with a cast fiberglass rock and assigned it the title "boat." For the traveling exhibition Under Construction: New Dimensions of Asian Art, he exhibited Boat in Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo. In each city, Gimhongsok equipped his vessel with local foodstuffs and useful devices--a laptop, music system, beer, umbrella, fishing rods and instant noodles-altering it slightly for each locality. In this way the artist commented on the economy of the international art exhibition and the limitations of interpretation and exchange. The resulting object is both absurdly material and anti-material.
Gimhongsok has exhibited his work at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, New York; Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery; Taipei Fine Arts Museum; Espai d'Art Contemporani de Castello, Valencia. Sora Kim has exhibited her work at the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh; Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery; Earl Lu Gallery, Singapore; Rodin Gallery, Seoul. The artists have exhibited together at the 2000 Shanghai Biennial; 2002 Gwangju Biennial; 2003 Echigo-Tsumari Triennial; the 50th Venice Biennale; and ArtSonje Center, Seoul. Both artists live and work in Seoul.
Image:
Gimhongsok and Sora Kim
C.H.I.S. Chronic Historical Interpretation Syndrome, 2003
50th Venice Biennale
Zones of Urgency, curated by Hou Hanru,
Mixed Media, 480 x 230 x 260 cm
Redcat
631 W. 2nd St. Los Angeles