From dazzling prisms of light from Japan, found-art pieces from the United States and iconic paintings from the United Kingdom, Seoul is seeing international art growing ubiquitous within its city limits. Here are a few of the most unique exhibition highlights.
Jack Pierson-잭슨 피어리슨
American artist Jack Pierson is well-known for his provocative photographs of naked young males and evocative installation pieces that bare honesty in their use of banal, daily objects. But his latest work ― textual sculptures nailed straight into the crisp walls of Kukje Gallery by Pierson himself ― built on found art speaks more to the history of the subject matter, in homage to past glory days of glamour and radiance.
The artist's first solo exhibition in Korea features 14 wordplays of rusted, broken, painted, cut and mismatched letters from derelict movie marquees, Las Vegas casinos, and businesses of bygone successes. From bold, possessive phrases such as ``My Sin'' to the cheery optimism of ``The Sun Rose,'' Pierson brings insight into the dying world of an America past ― as well as his own life of epiphanies and quirky memories ― in three words or less.
``They are supposed to be fast,'' said the artist to a roomful of reporters this week, while clad in a delicate suit paired with heavy black work boots. ``Within that fast read, I want you to slow down and look at what makes up the individual pieces.''
While the black and gold painted ``Pola Negri'' ― the artist's personal favorite ― represents simple, posthumous praise to the Polish silent-film actress, other pieces such as ``Done, Dope, Died'' serve as both a serious warning and a heart-warming tribute. The latter is in reference to New York artist Dash Snow, whose untimely death left a large impression on Pierson.
At the same time, pieces came together from the materials at hand, sometimes halting or postponing works, as the artist refused to fabricate a single part of the exhibition.
``Desperate?'' was created in memory of a suicide help-line poster seen on a bridge near Pierson's childhood home, the likes of which are a common sight on highways across the North American terrain.
``Ever since I've been doing these word pieces I wanted to do it,'' Pierson confessed. ``But I didn't have a question mark.''
Jack Pierson's ``Night'' exhibition runs until June 6 at Kukje Gallery in Jongno-gu, near the entrance of Samcheong-dong. Take subway line 3 to Anguk Station, exit 1, and walk in the direction of the National Folk Museum. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays until 5 p.m. Visit www.kukjegallery.com.
Tokujin Yoshioka-토큐진 요시오카
Renowned Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka understands the beauty of simplicity and often creates works out of a single material: paper, plastic or glass. The 43-year-old has worked with such well-known names as Hermes, Swarovski and Peugeot, transforming entire rooms, halls and shops with his clear artistic visions.
Stepping into museum.beyond in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, viewers are taken on a two-floor experience that will leave them breathless. Impossibly bright walls dance with lights from 500 crystal prisms nine-meters-high in ``Rainbow Church,'' while a cascade of 15,000 clear plastic straws weave around the gallery.
Yoshioka designs entire worlds that tease the line of fantasy, reality and science fiction with his works that defy logic in the most sensible way possible.
``Spectrum'' can be viewed through June 30 at MUSEUM.People, located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Take subway line 7 to Cheongdam Station, exit 9. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.beyondmuseum.com.
Damien Hirst
A shark preserved in formaldehyde, floating in a glass case. Skulls comprised of radiant diamonds, or of the artist's own clotted blood. Nail-sized prescription pills comically enlarged. These are only a few of the best known works by Damien Hirst, of the famous Young British Artists group from the 1990s.
In a return to Korea, Hirst reinvigorates his reputation with interesting new and standard old works of silkscreen prints like kaleidoscopes, paintings depicting syringes, pills and butterflies.
Damien Hirst's exhibition runs through May 15 at Opera Gallery in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam. Located near exit 9 of Cheongdam Station off subway line 7, the gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit
www.operagallery.com.
