Artist Ryu Sung-sil Takes on Capitalism in new Interactive Art Exhibit
9 days ago
·
9 days ago
·
After winning the 19th Hermes Foundation Missulsang last year, Ryu showcases solo exhibition “The Burning Love Song.”
Starting a few years ago, the newly coined term “bulmeong” – staring at the fire in a trance, like when one stares at a campfire – has become prevalent among young people. The expression is usually associated with “healing” or “emptying one‘s mind” while watching a burning fire, but sculptor and media artist Ryu Sung-sil added a twist when she named her solo exhibition at the Atelier Hermes in Seoul “The Burning Love Song.”
“What I wanted to focus at the exhibition was ‘bulmeong,’ which means to stare at a burning fire. I think that could also include someone’s house burning down. People enjoy watching others’ downfall with their arms crossed. And there are those who would ‘bang their head against a calculator‘ to manipulate that for their gain,” Ryu said on Thursday during a press interview, referencing a Korean idiom meaning someone who exploits situations for profit.
The 29-year-old artist won the 19th Hermes Foundation Missulsang last year, becoming the youngest artist to ever win the award. She has captivated audiences with the character BJ Cherry Jang – who Ryu performs as on platforms such as YouTube and AfreecaTV – blurring the lines between art and reality. South Korea’s one-person media trend, where fake news overflows, is critiqued by the bold character in her satirical style.
Ryu invites audiences to a world that revolves around the characters Lee Dae-wang (Mr. Big King) and Natasha. Lee used to run a travel company, Big King Travel, which faced financial problems in the aftermath of the pandemic. He decides to open a dog funeral service as a way of making money.
Lee focuses on dogs, as they live shorter lives than humans, which means a relatively fast turnover rate for business. He is an ambitious entrepreneur who wishes to operate an airline one day after earning enough money. Natasha is Lee’s employee and marketer of the funeral business.
The video played at the exhibition entrance shows information about the deceased -- a dog – with Lee speaking about the funeral business. “I did not want to do a funeral business, but if it were not for me, who would understand the hearts of our grieving customers?“ Lee said.
"Often, I see the passion for money in the business people around me, including my family, and I am often impressed by their innocence and creativity. I think that creativity is not an innate ability but a by-product of desperation. But their creativity is sometimes expressed in the form of pure evil, which creeps me out,“ Ryu said during a conversation with artistic director Ahn So-yeon.
Source: Park Yuna, The Korea Herald (July 2022)
Starting a few years ago, the newly coined term “bulmeong” – staring at the fire in a trance, like when one stares at a campfire – has become prevalent among young people. The expression is usually associated with “healing” or “emptying one‘s mind” while watching a burning fire, but sculptor and media artist Ryu Sung-sil added a twist when she named her solo exhibition at the Atelier Hermes in Seoul “The Burning Love Song.”
“What I wanted to focus at the exhibition was ‘bulmeong,’ which means to stare at a burning fire. I think that could also include someone’s house burning down. People enjoy watching others’ downfall with their arms crossed. And there are those who would ‘bang their head against a calculator‘ to manipulate that for their gain,” Ryu said on Thursday during a press interview, referencing a Korean idiom meaning someone who exploits situations for profit.
The 29-year-old artist won the 19th Hermes Foundation Missulsang last year, becoming the youngest artist to ever win the award. She has captivated audiences with the character BJ Cherry Jang – who Ryu performs as on platforms such as YouTube and AfreecaTV – blurring the lines between art and reality. South Korea’s one-person media trend, where fake news overflows, is critiqued by the bold character in her satirical style.
Ryu invites audiences to a world that revolves around the characters Lee Dae-wang (Mr. Big King) and Natasha. Lee used to run a travel company, Big King Travel, which faced financial problems in the aftermath of the pandemic. He decides to open a dog funeral service as a way of making money.
Lee focuses on dogs, as they live shorter lives than humans, which means a relatively fast turnover rate for business. He is an ambitious entrepreneur who wishes to operate an airline one day after earning enough money. Natasha is Lee’s employee and marketer of the funeral business.
The video played at the exhibition entrance shows information about the deceased -- a dog – with Lee speaking about the funeral business. “I did not want to do a funeral business, but if it were not for me, who would understand the hearts of our grieving customers?“ Lee said.
"Often, I see the passion for money in the business people around me, including my family, and I am often impressed by their innocence and creativity. I think that creativity is not an innate ability but a by-product of desperation. But their creativity is sometimes expressed in the form of pure evil, which creeps me out,“ Ryu said during a conversation with artistic director Ahn So-yeon.
Source: Park Yuna, The Korea Herald (July 2022)
More Korean Innovation News
Artist Ryu Sung-sil Takes on Capitalism in new Interactive Art Exhibit
9 days ago
Ryu Sung-sil's 'The Burning Love Song' lays bare primal desire for wealth prevalent in Korea's neoliberal market economy. The artist saw that such an obsession with an elite upbringing and wealth could speak to one aspect of Korea's particular economic sensibilities, as the country's rapid growth brought equally swift changes to people's financial statuses. Read more to discover how art informs the Korean social discourse.
Buckwheat Noodles Summer
10 days ago
Buckwheat noodles is a summertime staples in Korea. When the scorching weather makes you lose your appetite, it is hard to resist the slurpable noodles that can be served either hot or cold. Known for their unique texture, buckwheat noodle lovers seek dishes that ditch the heat for added flavor. Read here to discover the interesting ingredient and a recipe to add into the mix!
How Mindfulness Continues to Spark Inspiration and Incense
11 days ago
Incense burning has been practiced in Korea for centuries. In the 8th to 14th centuries, incense burning was an essential part of Buddhist rituals. As early as the start of this century, incense was primarily used only for special or ceremonial occasions. Today, it is used for meditation, yoga or “mung” (the Korean word for a trance-like state) sessions. Discover more here.
Korean Animator & Illustrator Brings Music in Color
12 days ago
Seo In-ji talks working for musicians around the world, creating her own style. Seoul-based illustrator and animator Seo In-ji has worked for the likes of Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet and NCT Dream. The Korean artist based in the UK brings a global perspective to her work with non-traditional elements like voluptuous women, cute in bright colors, and having fun. What does her more boy accepting art mean for the SK art scene future as a whole? Read along here.
Illegal Tattoo Artists Gain Global Hype
13 days ago
Insider spoke to seven South Korean tattoo artists about the paradox at the core of their profession, as they build up social-media presences to attract customers but hide their workshops in basements to avoid drawing the scrutiny of the law. South Korean tattoo artist Ilwol Hongdam has inked close to 4,000 people in the last 10 years, many of whom flew into Seoul just to see him. Read more about the controversial body art here.
INBEBO: The Best Unique Gift Guide Featuring Calzone
Best Unique Gifts for Any Occasion: Inbebo Guide To Winning at Gifting. How many of us have accepted an invitation to gatherings where a gift was needed? Unlike other gift shops, we opt for uncommon goods that give us a sense of wow! Because gift-giving is an experience best shared.
Hanbok dresses the spirit of Korean history
Clothing is an extension of our self-image. It helps define who we are and where we have been. South Korea Hanbok, have evolved into various styles throughout history. Although once only used traditionally Hanbok continues to influence modern style and art. Learn more about the traditional garb, and it's intrinsic link to Korean culture and couture here.
Wholesome energy your body craves: Bamboo shoots
In Korea and other regions of Asia, bamboo is cooked and eaten regularly.
Eaten at the beginning of summer, bamboo shoots have many health and wellness benefits to the body. Such as a slow down the aging process, prevention of constipation and hypertension, and assists in detoxifying the body. Read more for a recipe to add Bamboo shoots to your menu routine!
Eaten at the beginning of summer, bamboo shoots have many health and wellness benefits to the body. Such as a slow down the aging process, prevention of constipation and hypertension, and assists in detoxifying the body. Read more for a recipe to add Bamboo shoots to your menu routine!
Game Developers Battle Over International Market
A battle over play-to-earn (P2E) games in South Korea between the government and the industry has yet to show any signs of stopping as authorities continue to ban the game genre for its speculative nature. But does harsher regulation on mobile games like this negatively affect Koreas P2G exports in the global market? Discover more here.
