WEBZINE ACC

Sometimes, in front of enigmatic and ambiguous artworks, we find ourselves confused, trying to fathom the artist's world, and gazing intently for a long time. Even after careful scrutiny, there are often moments when the artwork remains somewhat familiar yet elusive, leaving us in a state of uncertainty. At such times, we might find ourselves taking uneasy steps, thinking, “Ah, art is inherently difficult,” and feeling somewhat unsettled. If we could have the opportunity to hear a thoughtful and caring explanation of the artist's thoughts, methods, and processes behind a work, it would likely broaden our understanding of the artwork. Moreover, if we could directly experience the working process ourselves, it would undoubtedly bring us even closer to the artist and bridge the distance between us. The ACC provides a rare opportunity to directly hear the stories and experiences of artists, allowing us to engage with art in a unique way.

This opportunity is provided through the program “Drawing Workshop about Space and Time,” which is connected to the special exhibition “Walking, Wandering” at the ACC. Dong-ju Kang, the artist who established the first connection with the ACC through the exhibition “Walking, Wandering,” took on the role of the guide. As the artist and participants cooperate, share their stories, and create new works, a strange sense of camaraderie emerges, and a gentle comfort subtly flows, patting each other's backs. The workshop begins with Dong-ju Kang sharing his journey of exploring his own artistic world and visual language.

In the midst of the changes and imbalances caused by urban development, questions about “time” and “space” arise...

Dong-ju Kang, a born and bred Seoulite, has lived in Seoul for her entire life and has witnessed the changes and resulting imbalances caused by urban development as a part of her everyday life. The rapid emergence of new buildings, the disappearance of familiar places, and the old, rusty reality hidden beneath the flashy facade... As Dong-ju Kang observed the ever-changing urban landscapes day by day, a natural contemplation on “space” and “time” arose within her. To express her thoughts on the space and time of the city, the artist initially chooses the medium of painting as a means of representation. Although the artist continued to create landscape paintings of the city for several years, it was not easy to capture the essence of the urban theme as expected. Through this process, the artist discovered another path: drawing.

Enjoying a sense of liberation through drawing that painting cannot provide

After starting drawing, for about a year, she observed the shape of the heads of passengers sitting in the front seats of buses and drew their forms. It was a time of experimenting and exploring the medium of drawing through what is known as “head-drawing,” so to speak. Drawing brought a sense of lightness and freedom that she didn't feel in painting. By walking, moving, and drawing every day, she also gained the power to overcome the isolation and helplessness he feels from society. She found that the question of “How do I draw?” shifted to “What do I see,” which naturally led her to become more aware of “time.” Through drawing, she started to look at landscapes with a fresh perspective, which allowed her to appreciate the charm of nighttime scenery as something distinct from daytime. Dong-ju Kang held her first solo exhibition titled “Blackout,” showcasing her drawings. In the exhibition “Blackout,” she effectively expressed the space and time of the city, which she had been continuously exploring, using carbon paper. Carbon paper proved to be a great help for the artist in depicting nighttime urban landscapes.

Expressing the structure of a city where light and darkness coexist through carbon paper drawing

From the environment of her childhood, where she grew up, to developing an interest in urban landscapes, time, and space, the journey towards creating the world of his art, the experiences and trials she went through, and the process of attempting to embody that world in her works—during the early stages of the workshop, artist Kang Dong-ju's intricate and kind stories filled the air. It became a time when the artist and participants grew closer, as the artist's thoughts and the process behind their current artistic world, from which they embarked and journeyed, became vividly apparent at a glance. In the following sequence, there was an activity arranged for the participants to directly experience Dong-ju Kang's working process, which was previously explained. The activity involved drawing maps using two different methods: carbon paper drawing and sand drawing.

In the carbon paper drawing event, participants engaged in an activity of drawing a map of their inner world, following the guidance of artist Dong-ju Kang. Starting from the place of cherished memories that I want to revisit, to the neighborhood I am currently living in, my living room where I enjoy pleasant moments with my family, the childhood village that has disappeared due to redevelopment, and the walking trail where I was able to overcome depression by strolling along its path. Just like how each person's life and experiences are different, the drawings created by the participants are also diverse. Sand drawing is a method of expressing desired images by sprinkling sand on a table or surface. It is an act of imagining the texture of the ground that we walk on and step on every day, and expressing it on paper or a table surface.

Even though the skills may be lacking, the artworks that are created contain a map of memories that only the individual holds, making them more special than anything else. The process follows the style of Dong-ju Kang, but within that process, participants also encounter their own inner selves that they have yet to discover and become captivated by the charm of new art. There were also participants who unexpectedly shed tears while walking along the map of their hearts. As the workshop is titled “Drawing about Time and Space,” it is a moment when the participants' personal memories of time and space are summoned into drawing works.

Walking again through the drawing, which recreates the map of memories that only one carries within

The workshop, which lasted for two hours, began with curiosity and anticipation, and concluded with emotions and fulfillment. The joy of a deep connection between the artist and the audience, which cannot be felt in an exhibition, is evident. Both for the artist and the participants, the time and space of this day are expected to be reconstructed into new memories and come alive as a new map within their hearts. Dong-ju Kang's artworks can be seen at the 2023 ACC Context <Walking, Wandering> exhibition until Sep. 3.

• Impressions after completing the workshop?

  Artist Dong-ju Kang
  When I shared my working methodology with you at the workshop today, I was filled with anticipation about the perspectives through which each of you would view and bring the spaces from your own memories to life. In truth, I don't often get the chance to see how other people use the materials and methods that I personally use. However, through today's workshop, I believe it will be a meaningful time for me, as I can observe things like how you all perceive space or use materials—things that I wouldn't have otherwise experienced from others.

  Chae Ri-na | Gyelim-dong, Gwangju
  It was truly remarkable to be able to recall the place where I lived seven years ago while drawing the map in my mind. It was really wonderful to see the artworks that others created and to realize that each person has different memories. Listening to other people's stories and having their memories become a part of my own emotions was truly enjoyable.

  Jeong In-sun | Sansu-dong, Gwangju
  I usually just attend exhibitions without much explanation, but today's workshop was a much more enjoyable experience because the artist directly provided explanations, allowing me to understand the thought process behind their creations.