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Mysterious Blossom
Kim, Byung Jin2008
Korean Art Museum Association
Seoul, South Korea
Details
- Title: Mysterious Blossom
- Creator: Kim, Byung Jin
- Creator Lifespan: 1974
- Creator Nationality: Korean
- Creator Birth Place: Seoul, Korea
- Date Created: 2008
- Physical Dimensions: w2000 x h2000 cm
- Type: Sculpture
- Medium: Steel wire
- Critic's Note: Draw a line. Then there will be a border, and a border will create two separate sides. However, that is only possible on a two dimensional surface. Within a three dimensional space, it is impossible for one to divide the space with a line. That line only represents a direction or an axis. The space is never actually divided with lines. Rather, it surrounds the line and is expressive in the space. Kimbyung-Jin's carvings are made out of steel wires, which are why his pieces are hung on a wall to look like a drawing on a plane. The steel wires form flower figures or leaf figures on a white wall, and the artwork as a whole looks like a pencil drawing. However, when the viewer looks closer at the artwork, the lines are floating in space and are not drawn. The volume and curve of the line gives a unique effect to the particular space. The light shines on the figure and creates a light shadow, which is subtle. The line (steel wire) floating in space, and the shadow line get together to create a beautiful harmony. The harmony within the piece that depicts a flower reminds me of the Flower Duet from Lakme. As you see the work more often it is more attractive. The carvings could be expressed in terms of mass and volume. When a huge chunk of something occupies a space, people will think that there should be a story behind it. After looking at the lump, it shows the viewer its existence is clear. It is possible that one might consider the lines within the space as insignificant. However, many people are surprised by how even a single line within an empty space can have an enormous effect, as one can see in Kim Byungjin's piece. Such effects are the same as suffering severe pain from a little thorn. Of course it hurts to get hit by a big, thick object; but getting your body pricked by a throne can cause the same amount of pain. When we look closer at the artwork, the steel wire contains thickness by its own standards. Even though the steel wire is a thin line, it is carving a line in the floating space. The sculpture is made with a minimum amount of materials. The purpose of such reduction is to let all the subjects become nothing. However, the line that resists becoming nonexistant, has created art with minimum materials. The tension, balance, and centrifugal force are created from the result of resistance, which brings an enormous feeling of magnificence to the audience, as much as the big, thick object has. The lines that never diminish, but give life to the space, are the lines created by Kim byung jin. That is why those "lines of resistance" make the viewer want to touch them.
- Artist's Education: Suwon University. Korea. M.F.A., Sculpture.
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