Mobi_Impression

A critical difference between art and design is in its objectivity. My work started with an inquiry towards the uncertain mechanism of construction of objective beauty in abstract forms. Assuming that it exists, my questions such as ‘what accounts for the formulation of beauty?’ or ‘is there a rule or pattern which I can rely on?’ has led me to two foundational elements; Elegance and Extravagance. Elegance is about the perceptual efficiency where much result is achieved with seemingly small effort. In contrast, Extravagance is related to the visceral human reaction towards large amount of absolute values such as expense, quantity, scale and so on. These two elements work with each other to establish what we consider to be visually interesting and, possibly, beautiful. In order to wield these two ideas within a process of work, I employed modularity with an intent of achieving Extravagance with most Elegance. Mobi Modules are mass manufactured through common modern industrial method of injection molding, and can be expanded into both utilitarian and expressive structures. Unique Mobi works have exhibited in many international venues such as the Armory Show, Design Miami, and is part of the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. In response to the theme of ‘Humanity’ at the Gwangju Design Biennale, I selected to erect figurative sculptures titled ‘In-Sang’. This word translates to ‘impression’ in general, and often, specifically in regards to one’s facial features. In composing this abstract figurative work, I rely on the audience participation and imagination to fill in the representational limitation that Mobi series embodies.