WEBZINE ACC

Rainbow Sprout, the First Sprout

“What We Talk About When We Talk About ‘a Step’”

Lee Jihoo / Representing graduates of Chonnam National University’s Department of Fine Arts (Western Painting)

“We 10 graduating students have been honing our artistic explorations as we embark on our journeys as young artists. Over the past four years, we have grown greatly within the school, and for the graduation exhibition, we have tried to showcase works that encapsulate our expressions. We realized that despite our different upbringings and views, we all have the same belief in art, and we tried to express that belief through the works of the 10 participating artists.”

The ACC School of Arts Graduation Exhibition “Rainbow Sprout” began with the graduates of Chonnam National University’s Department of Fine Arts (major in Western Painting). Over 10 days from October 4 to 13, 10 students showcased works they had completed with care before their graduation. Under the theme of “What we talk about when we talk about ‘a step,’” these works encapsulate the growth that each student has achieved in the program and the stories that pave their journey as artists. Perhaps because of that, each work appears to the beholder as precious and special.

From Park Sejeong’s “Embroidered in the Sky I,” which gives form to space for rest and secretive emotions, to Moon Jinseong’s “NEST,” a shout to the contemporary people and their uniform and heteronomous existence; Yoo Minsang’s “Road Past,” which asks how one should live one’s life if one only has one chance on it; and Lee Jihoo’s “Code 511: Image Corruption,” which visualizes the overwhelming amount of images and data in today’s society and the chaos caused by them, all works embody the young students’ sharp questions and their effort to make sense of the world.

Lee Jihoo / Representing graduates of Chonnam National University’s Department of Fine Arts (Western Painting)

“This was an incredible opportunity to curate and participate in an exhibition at one of the most visited cultural facilities in Gwangju. The exhibition space was not like a typical exhibition hall in that it was more like an area for relaxation illuminated with natural light. We appreciated the freedom it granted us to interact with the audience. I am sure the experiences of this graduation exhibition will serve as an important asset in our future activities as artists.”

Rainbow Sprout, the Second Sprout

“Go Forward”

In the deep darkness of the sea, one swims upward, following the ray of light. No matter how deep or dark, one believes that one can reach the surface as long as one does not lose sight of the light. That is how the graduates of Honam University’s Department of Comics and Animation see themselves, and that is why the theme of the exhibition is “Go forward.” With the professors and their friends as guiding lights, they rise, casting away the fear of reality and going forward. Their journey blooms like flowers in the second part of “Rainbow Sprout.”

These works crystallize the hard work and passion of the 19 students in Honam University’s Department of Comics and Animation for the last 4 years. Whether it be webtoons, Insta-toons, published comics, 2D or 3D animation, or illustration, they convey the amount of effort and work that they had dedicated to their chosen field. From Kang Chaeyeon’s work “The Last Full Stop,” a webtoon with a captivating story, to Park Eunbi’s “Friends Under the Sea,” an animated film that brings a smile to your face with cutesy images, and Kim Seoyeon’s captivating comic “Bok the Detective,” these works are sure to bring the audience members into wonderful worlds created by the up-and-coming artists.

Kim Seoyeon / Representing graduates of Honam University’s Department of Comics and Animation

“The ACC exhibition ‘Rainbow Sprouts’ was a valuable and meaningful experience that allowed us to showcase our work to a large and varied group of people. We could think about and choose how we will structure the exhibition, thanks to the help we got from the ACC members, and we could walk away from the exhibition with a greater understanding of how exhibitions are structured. In particular, whenever the audience members came up to us to tell us how nice our works were or whenever they stood in front of our works to take them in, we felt that our hard work was getting rewarded.”

Rainbow Sprout, the Third Sprout

“Be Accomplish”

The exhibition put together by the 36 graduates of Honam University’s Department of Industrial Design was held from November 1 to 10 under the title “Be accomplish.” Having spent the last four years delving into the world of design, the graduates made works that capture the beholder’s gaze with unique and fun designs. This exhibition, in particular, showcased many works that examined salient societal issues, such as the environment or mental health, from the students’ perspectives. What’s more, it was accompanied by a wide range of merch featuring the students’ designs, adding another layer of fun to the experience.

Works like Kim Miji’s “Anti–Foie Gras,” a warning about the animal abuse that goes into the production of foie gras; Shin Junhyuk’s “Earth is Burning,” a stark picture of the perils of global climate change; and Kim Juho’s “Mom, What’s That Island?” which captures the shocking reality of garbage patches in the ocean, add a dynamic and hip touch to the public service announcement posters. Kim Soyeon’s “Stress,” which visualizes stress quotient levels across different regions of Korea, and Kim Euijeong’s “Anxiety Disorder” invite us to pay attention to the mental health of today’s people. Other works include simple yet cute emojis, design characters, interior decorations, and others that feature the students’ boundless creativity.

Kim Miji / Representing graduates of Honam University’s Department of Industrial Design

“Be accomplish” was an exhibition that allowed us to take the first step in our journey as designers who could create a positive impact on the world and publish our designs for the first time. We all worked hard to showcase our four-year journey as up-and-coming designers with creative problem-solving skills, learning and practicing values demanded by our times like user-centered and sustainable design.”

Rainbow Sprout, the Fourth Sprout

“Assemble”

Lee Yeeun / Representing graduates of Sunchon National University’s Department of Visual Design

“Visual design is a synthesis of artistic elements from various fields, and it takes a lot of communication and collaboration to complete a single work. Therefore, we, the students of the Department of Visual Design, have spent four years learning to enter and exit various forms of groups in order to design better. Through our graduation exhibition, Rainbow Sprout, we would like to introduce our works in 3D, web, video, animation, etc., together under one group: Us.”

They spent the last four years working together to shine as stars in a constellation called “us.” Being a journey toward the ideals of multidisciplinary arts, it was also a journey of learning the value of relationships through collaboration and working together, not alone. Their bonds and support toward each other allowed them to shine even brighter as stars. That is why the exhibition of the talents of the 16 graduates of Sunchon National University’s Department of Visual Design was titled “Assemble.” Together, they shine as a brilliant constellation.

The graduation exhibition brought together a multitude of visual design works from 2D and 3D animation to 3D motion graphics, visuals for children, magazines, web pages, music videos, 3D videos, and short films. Works like Park Seri’s “Doll,” which depicts the friendship between a magician and a doll, Park Yujeong’s “A Story of Unexpected Fishing,” Bae Yeonwoo’s “Tuni’s Travels,” and Wi Jeongjae’s “Validity Period” all display the unique ideas, passion, and care that the young creators had put into their work.

Lee Yeeun / Representing graduates of Sunchon National University’s Department of Visual Design

“I think all the moments we spent preparing for the exhibition were challenging for us. There were many moments when I wondered if it would work and wanted to give up, but preparing for the exhibition with my friends from the Graduation Exhibition Committee taught me to communicate within the context of yet another group of people, and in the end, we were able to successfully wrap up the exhibition. I think that will go on to be a very precious experience for us.”

Rainbow Sprout, the Fifth Sprout

“Atmosphere: The Moment of Ascension (飛上)”

Park Junhee / Representing graduates of Gwangju University’s Department of Photography, Image & Dronen

“After we were selected for the ACC Graduation Exhibition, we formed the Graduation Exhibition Committee and started preparing for the exhibition. While thinking about the theme of the exhibition, we came up with the word ‘atmosphere.’ We chose that as our theme to symbolize our journey from the ground to the atmosphere and space beyond. We sought to express the moment when we left our university and joined the society as our moment of ascension.”

The last exhibition in the ACC School of Arts Graduation Exhibition, “Rainbow Sprout,” was “Atmosphere: The Moment of Ascension (飛上),” put together by the graduates of Gwangju University’s Department of Photography, Image & Dronen. Like the title, the exhibition featured works that captured the students’ will and wish to ascend to a new world. It included about 40 pieces created by 23 graduates, all embodying the journey they took for the last 4 years. These works skillfully weaved together techniques like VR, hologram, and drone photography with the students’ hip and imaginative sensibilities to the delight of audience members. They were made even more special because they went beyond simple demonstrations of skill to embody the philosophy and inspiration of the artist behind the lens.