Soo+Young

=Concentration Statement=

The central theme of my concentration is “organic shape”. While studying several objects around me, I noticed that there are certain qualities that make something “organic”. I found out that organic shapes have certain flowing quality and that they show constant interaction and connection within themselves. By studying various types of organic shapes starting from objects to something as personal as my face, I tried to understand underlying qualities of organic shapes and the different feelings they contain.  In my concentration, I focused on showing how one piece connects with the next piece, rather than on the individual pieces. I started with mushrooms since they seemed to have the most idealistic organic shapes. While studying more magnified version of mushroom (Slide #2), I noticed that the underside of a mushroom is quite similar to the net-like structure of knitted objects. I also realized other organic qualities of knitted objects. For instance, knitting has cell-like structure. Also, each compartment is linked with one another, almost as if they are communicating. This organic aspect of knitting interested me and led me to further study different types of knitting as shown in Slide III-3 and III-4. Slide III-5 and III-6 shows hands that are knitting and hands that are intertwined. Both hands in Slide III-5 and the knitting in Slide III-6 are similar in that they are intertwined. The subjects of Slides III-7 to Slide III-12 of the concentration are isolated sections of my face. I first focused on the face as a whole, choosing interesting compositions (Slide III-7~9). Then I concentrated on each of the individual parts of the face (Slides III-10~12). By doing so, I tried to see what kind of different feelings isolating parts of face and integrating them back together create. Rough: The central theme of my concentration is organic shapes. I focused on showing progress or a flow within my pieces rather than on the individual subjects. I started the sequence with mushrooms. While studying magnified mushroom (Slide #2), I noticed that the underside of a mushroom is quite similar to the net-like structure of knitted objects. I also realized that shapes of the knittings have organic quality such as cell-like structures and connections and interactions between each parts of the knitting. This organic aspect of knitting interested me and led me to further study different types of knitting as shown in Slide #3 and #4. Slide #5 and 6, shows hands that are intertwined and hands that are knitting. Both hands in Slide #5 and knitting in Slide #6 are similar in that they are “intertwined”. The subjects of Slides #7 to #12 of the concentration are isolated sections of my face. I first focused on the face as a whole, choosing interesting compositions (Slide #7~#9). Then I concentrated on each of the individual parts of the face (Slides #10~12). I did so in order to see what kind of different feelings isolating parts of face and integrating them create.

=Devil Wears Prada=

I think Miranda makes a good point in that our culture is immersed in art and design and that no matter how much we like it or not, we are involved in it. After listening to this clip, I started to think how "art" has changed its meaning and significance over time. Thinking about how society was few centuries ago, when general artists (portrait painter, sculptor etc) are regarded as "low jobs", it is amazing how much our society has improved in appreciating art. Still, we tend to believe (like Andy) that forms of art have different levels; fashion being one of the lowest. However, I think it is important that we broaden the definition of art and appreciate all forms of art if we want to make any progress at all. After all, progress is made when there are challenges and new approaches.

=Van Gogh Exhibition=


 * -Describe the work in the show. Try to categorize the stylistic genre of the work. Give a little information about the artist if available. Make an effort to put the work in art historical context by making comparisons to other noteworthy artists either contemporaries or historical.**

Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland, as a son of a pastor. After series of unsuccessful jobs, Van Gogh finally decided to become an artist between year 1860 and 1880. Van Gogh’s early works (the “Dutch period”) are genre paintings that portray sharply contrasting light and dark. One of the examples is the famous “The Potato Eaters” (1885). In 1886 van Gogh went to Paris, where he studied art with the famous contemporaries of the time such as Monet and Gauguin. Due to the influence of these artists, van Gogh tried to be part of the Impressionists. His works of this period contain much lighter tones than his earlier works. In his later years, van Gogh developed a severe depression and madness which drove him to stayed in asylum in Saint-Remy and then in Auvers-sur-Oise, where he still continued to paint. Auvers-sur-Oise is where he shot himself, which, according to van Gogh, was "for the good of all." During his art career years van Gogh sold only one painting. Although van Gogh’s works are clearly distinguishable for their unique style, they still have some aspects that resemble his contemporaries’ movement such as impressionist and post impressionist. For instance, one of his paintings of the forest in the exhibition had stylistic approach that strongly reminded of Monet’s works, like the use of bright and even pastel colors and short brush strokes that emphasizes the change in light colors and light reflections.


 * -Judge the show as if you were an art critic. Evaluate its merits and shortcomings.**

I was most impressed by the size of the exhibition. Usually, exhibitions for famous painters like Van Gogh tend to be small in size in Korea due to expenses. However, this exhibition was not only had numerous van Gogh’s works, it also had few of his most famous pieces. In such aspect, I was very much satisfied. I was also impressed by how the gallery displayed the works; every work was covered with a sheet of protective glass, however, the existence of the glass was hardly recognizable even when I was examining the work in close distance. The light source’s angle and the placement of the glass sheet were all carefully planned out so that the reflection of light source on the glass would not bother the viewers. The previous Monet exhibition, which is also held in same museum, lacked such attention to the details. One of the shortcomings that I felt was the descriptions and background explanations of van Gogh’s works. Although there were some useful short blurbs on the exhibition wall here and there, a few of the blurbs contained information that was either too general or too subjective. Rather than informing the viewers, those blurbs tend to be more like an art critic’s opinion on van Gogh. It was interesting to read but I think it would have been better if phrases that suggest personal opinion was not included. Moreover, the exhibition lacked English-version explanations. It was surprising since the museum should have expected some number non-Korean speakers in such famous exhibition. Also, I would have liked to see some short explanation regarding the specific techniques or influences at least for van Gogh’s most famous paintings.

=Works= self-portrait #1 (watercolor) sketch: watercolor: (...) kind of looks cartoon-ish... close-up: trying out some background colors with computer: blue purple purple-blue

=Work #2=

I have deviated from my concentration theme. I am thinking about changing the theme to "repetition" or "pattern" or "close-up". Since I have already done many self-portraits for classworks, I thought if this doesnt work as a concentration piece, I could still use this for other sections and instead use those other self portraits I have done in the past as concentration pieces. I am currently working on two other pieces of the theme "repetition" or "pattern" ( I havent really decided which word will describe my works better).

The mushrooms. Drawn with pencil. close-up:

=works in progress:= -knittings: Reference works:

sketchbook: choosing four of the six images. blue-grey color scheme. will be using watercolor and sharpie pen (or ink pen) -lips: sketchbook: studing various lips (races/expressions/age/gender etc.)