SOLUNA FINE CRAFT

Archetypes : Not a Thing

Venue : Art Chosun Space, Korea

Date : 2024.02.22 - 03.23

Artists: Kyouhong Lee, Myungtaek Jung

Organized by : Art Chosun Space, SOLUNA

Supported by : Art Chosun, TV Chosun

Archetypes : Not a Thing

Metaphor on Diversity, Art beyond the Object

As we live in the 21st century, characterized by the cutting-edge development of technology and civilization, we contemplate what might be most lacking in our lives. Soluna Art Group, which showcases the essence of contemporary Korean crafts in the global market, and Art Chosun Space, a multifaceted art space fostering organic communication of artistic diversity through open architecture, aim to share the unique aesthetic sense of Korea that they have experienced through continuous communication with artists engaged in creative endeavors. Moving into the 2000s, the art world has seen blurred boundaries between genres, with the focus shifting towards the outcomes of creative acts, leading to a multifaceted expansion of artistic forms.

This exhibition spotlights two leading international artists. The archetype in creativity serves as the essence and core focus. In this instance, we aspire to approach it metaphorically. Two different materials, metal, and glass, converge to comprehend each other through the interplay of light and mass within the allocated space. Untouched, unconscious, and undefined encapsulate the three keywords defining Myungtaek Jung's creative concept. He endeavors to discern the opportune moment to halt his creative process, ensuring the work exudes appropriateness and naturalness. For this specific exhibition, he has reinterpreted the remnants of what was once a temple. In the 14th reigning year (553) of the Silla period, King Jinheung intended to construct a palace on the east side of Wolseong in the capital of Silla, Gyeongju. However, the plan evolved into a temple due to the emergence of a dragon at the construction site. Although it took 17 years to complete the temple, all that remains today are the stepping stones. Myungtaek draws inspiration from the traditional Korean architectural feature, "Dumbung-jucho," which serves as natural stepping stones for placing wooden columns. Once again, his inspiration extends from his previous approaches, but this time, he references the abandoned stepping stones at the site where the temple once stood.

Similarly, Kyouhong Lee strives to infuse the same naturalness into his glass pieces. A master in his field, he has undertaken numerous architectural projects both in and outside Korea. For Kyouhong, the reflection of light holds paramount importance. Glass, with its dual nature of being both mass and light simultaneously, presents an attractive material. The two artists synergize effectively to express their individual perspectives on archetypes, where mass transforms into light and light into mass.

From primitive times to the 21st century, nature has bestowed upon us a plethora of materials—a precious gift for which gratitude is due. Today, as we stand at a crossroads, the natural environment has suffered from contamination and destruction. Soluna Art Group aspires to gratify viewers through creative excellence, addressing the critical environmental concerns of our time. Both Myungtaek Jung and Kyouhong Lee enjoy global recognition. Between 2022 and 2023, both artists became finalists for the LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize. Present-day creative expressions lean towards phenomenology, where every occurrence has a discernible reason.