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LETTERS
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“Brushed Back Home” It was after a night out downtown that I laid hands on the first issue of this magazine. The following day I thought of my friend Jerome as I pulled on my airbrushed Wonder Woman tee. He had made the shirt for me as a going away present, and each time I put it on I can’t help but remember where I’m from. Although Jerome is halfway around the world, his artwork connected me. Jerome has been airbrushing for over six years, creating t-shirts that are meaningful to each person. I once went with him to a school to show the students airbrushing techniques. The kids were really amazed and couldn’t wait to get their favorite cartoon character on a custom made shirt. It’s like shopping for the sickest Tee without looking through the racks. From Strawberry Shortcake, to Venom or your favorite Dragon Ball Z character, even Biggie or Tupac, you name it. He can airbrush it. He can also wield a paintbrush or pencil to create art that would make many a person envious. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to someday find myself attending one of his art exhibits. Although Jerome has never been to Korea, I am proud to see that his artwork got to travel. It is rewarding and satisfying to know artists of all kinds and appreciate their talent, hard work, and dedication. Professional artist or not, art is universal and is part of every individual. No matter where you are in life, art can recreate a moment and remind you of where you’re from.
Queenie Ann De Guzman TORONTO,CANADA
www.r2rdesigns.ca / jerome.ragudo@r2rdesigns.ca
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ARTELEMENTO
INTRODUCTION Welcome to the second edition of Art Elemento. When I first started this project, my final destination was visible only by my idea of the places and things I wanted to see throughout my journey. American best-selling author Greg Anderson once said, “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.” Getting the first issue out was like getting ready for a long trip. You pack your bags. You study the places you will visit. Phone calls are placed, passports updated, and itineraries formed. With your ticket in hand, you are ready to go! You leave with excitement: the anticipation of adventures to come, the new places you will see, and meeting the people about which you always wonder. You are prepared to depart from your home. Getting this second issue out was like actually going out the door, leaving. This is where the journey starts. As you leave, reality pushes through your excitement. There will be traffic, lines, unexpected delays, confusing signs, and other moments of uncertainly. Sometimes, you won’t know which way to go. The map flies out the window; yet a smile creeps across your face. Impatience is replaced by the thrill of new adventures. Doubt shifts to the idea that memories, which can be shared in the future, are being created NOW. Confusion yields to the hope of getting there!
FOUNDER / Joe Wabe EDITORS/ Hannah Messmann, Aneta Macnally, Hughie Samson, Amanda Hollingworth, Andrea Galvez ART DIRECTOR/ Joe Wabe CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/ Daniel luzio, Doug Stuber, Steve Macnally, Bryan Simmons, Queenie Ann De Guzman, Odette Wessels, Michael Paul, Guy Fraser CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS/ Leroy Kucia, Kim Heejeong, Sakiroo, Jen Lee, Isaiah Winters, Erin Heath, Lisa Mynhardt, Redzuan Rusli REPORTERS/ Media Romadona ADVERTISING/ Joe Wabe PRINTING/ Alex J. Hwang WEBSITE/ artelemento.com EMAIL/ email@artelemento.com SPECIAL TRIBUTE/ In memory of my beloved best friend Nino Wabe. You will forever live in my heart.
This “there” has yet to be fully realized. The dictionary explains that art is “the expression or application of human creative skills and imagination” (typically in a visual form). One goal of this magazine is to incite exploration of the world of creativity that is all around us and to help people express it in a visual form: the form of Art Elemento. Through my still-developing journey, I feel the anticipation of adventures to come. I have already met people better than I could have even imagined: amazing people willing to help, participate, and otherwise contribute to this project. For this, I thank you. My journey inspires some and, in doing so, humbles me as it reminds me of my original goals. I believe that, in our own ways, we are all artists. No matter where the destination may be, this voyage continues. It is in that journey itself that the forms of art’s beauty will be revealed, new friends discovered, and true joy found. We are well on our way! Buckle up, and enjoy Issue dos.
Cover design by Redzuan Rusli I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS FURNISHED INFORMATION AND MATERIALS FOR THIS ISSUE. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARTISTS FEATURE IN ART ELEMENTO RETAIN COPYRIGHT TO THEIR WORK. WE WILL BE PLEASED TO CORRECT ANY MISTAKES OR OMISSIONS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE. WE WELCOME EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS; HOWEVER, RETURN POSTAGE MUST ACCOMPANY ALL UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS, ART, DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL IF THEY ARE TO BE RETURNED. NO RESPONSIBLITY CAN BE ASSUMED FOR UNSOLICITED MATERIALS. ALL LETTERS WILL BE TREATED AS UNCONDITIONALLY ASSIGNED FOR PUBLICATION AND COPYRIGHT PURPOSES AND SUBJECTS TO ART ELEMENTO’S RIGHT TO EDIT AND COMMENT EDITORIALLY.
art elemento
ART BY SAKIROO
ARTELEMENTO DOS KIM HEEJEONG8 SAKIROO10 RABBIT TALES12 REDZUAN RUSLI16 DJ GUY P18 MICHAEL PAUL19 ERASER20 PICASSO AT LAPIN21
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the author. All rights reserved on entire contents. Advertising inquiries should be directed to email@artelemento.com
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Kim Heejeong “Explaining who I am is one of the most difficult things for me. My education, background, occupation or religion doesn’t describe who I really am. I paint because I want to find answers. Doing it doesn’t make me happy. Not doing it, gives me pain. My only hope is that people can see love in the work I do.”
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Icy confusion. Strangely familiar new world. “Was it this cold before?” The blindfold of her little Big World of him is lost. She cannot see without it. Happiness mocks. Cold, paralyzed, without him. Hope of rehabilitation whispers as it floats away. Masked by a flickering dream, she is alone. Reality taunts. Harsh moments come. Face the war within. Mouth opens; no sound. Too numb. Blindly hunts for his papers in a daze. The daze thickens. A foggy memory reappears in his letters, haunting souvenirs. In his world, colors. No loneliness. Told him that he was her inspiration. Cold, hollow. Searches for paper and color. Rejects hints at their old world. Without him, only questions. Agony. Dives into work. Moves to get warmer. Stays busy to deny reality. Creates new worlds. These cannot satisfy. Callously grasps toward life; needs the lost world. Longs for him. Reaches out; pulls back her hand. Inspiration without him seems empty. Their world is a fading mystery. Two worlds crashed into a new one. Two loved. His eyes blinked like the sun’s eclipse. She appreciated the beautiful shade of his dreams. In his land, she dwelt to their heartbeats. They discovered each other, happiness. He was warm, intriguing, a better world for her. She had never seen life’s art like this.
No warning for the split that was to follow. Warm in their world, they felt safe. Sudden. Unyielding. Knocked her legs away. The devastating chasm ripped life into disorder, distrust, discontent. The split robbed her love, of their world. Stole her from herself. No return to the way she was before. Hunts for papers, looks for color, searches for him. Between worlds, life holds her in fragile limbo. Not safe here. Exposed, foreboding. Will her in-between worlds collapse too? Forget the papers. No words. Blackness. She must return to their old world, his world.
Without him, life is disorder. A new time, a strangely familiar old world that she does not want. Hesitantly stares down reality. To regain the colors, her life, there is only one way back. Please find him.
10 Sakiroo is a young talentive Korean graphic artist from Seoul
I named myself Sakiroo when I was 20 years-old because I wanted to be known by that name instead of my real name, Choi Sang-hyun… I wanted to have a forceful personality and go beyond the bounds of convention, so I needed a meaningful name to help me…
s a k i r o o
At that time I began designing characters, and I was determined to do it better than anyone else…
Even now -- years later -- I continue to study and learn, and I work towards becoming a more and more thoughtful artist. From the past to present, everyone who has aimed at making art inspires me… Art is my passion, and I want to create pictures that are attractive to look at and thought-provoking and interesting too…
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Two characters which I created which I particularly enjoy are Shumai and Phat Foo… I made them because I love hip hop, and though I first created them many years ago, they are still unique and important to me.
“I just want to draw what I want to draw and I want to be comfortable doing so.”
Personally, in my life, I don’t have any really big dreams... www.sakiroo.com
“Chang e’ the Chinese goddess of the moon”. Illustration Jen Lee
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“In cultural traditions, mythical folklore and contemporary art, rabbits have often exhibited human personality traits such as Wisdom, Innocence, Cunningness and Virility. The Rabbit Tales workshop presented a unique design challenge to the individual artist; Communicate these traits in your own creative way utilizing a variety of media in order to express your vision.” Leroy Kucia, Lead Coordinator.
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Workshop 2011
Jen Lee “This image was inspired by the story of Chang’e, who is the Chinese goddess of the moon. It is a story of how the beautiful wife of an archer parted with her husband after taking a pill that would cause her to become an immortal and float into the heavens until she reached the moon. Though she became rather lonely during her existence without her husband, she did have the company of a rabbit who lived on the moon with her.”
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Isaiah Winters “My illustration is about Korea’s as well as the developed world’s low Total Fertility Rates (TFR) and it uses an upsidedown triangle shape to show this skewed workers-to-beneficiaries ratio (basically, the ratio of tax-contributing workers to tax-consuming pensioners). Also, by using rabbits as the theme, I’m inverting the popular Western notion that rabbits breed like… rabbits. Here we see that rabbits aren’t doing what they’ve always been known to do, and that means that something is wrong or turned on its head.” Korean Fertility Illustration 11”x14”
Erin Heath
Bunnylicious Acrylic on Paper 10”x15”
“I love animals as a subject matter, so for me painting the rabbit seemed only natural. In this piece I wanted to illustrate how I think of rabbits by using color and whimsy. When I look for inspiration for rabbits, the icon that springs to my mind is the White Rabbit from Wonderland, who lives in a surreal and colorful world. I hope that my work conveys that same sort of whimsy and imagination. Also I wanted to incorporate the Chinese character for rabbit since I’m now living in Asia and get inspiration from everything that I see here in Korea and in my travels. I think that even if we have different views of the rabbit, it is an icon that transcends cultural boundaries and can be appreciated by all”.
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Lisa Mynhardt “ People have always thought of the rabbit as a talented copulator, sly and all round fluffy creature. With this project I tried to show you the darker side of the plotting rabbit. Drawing the viewer with old fashioned photographs, I want everyone to try and imagine what a rabbit might be thinking about.� Sweet cheeks Edited Photograph 11x14
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Leroy Kucia “In my work I wanted to illustrate the human like characteristics that rabbits often portray. Throughout world culture, they are widely regarded as sacred animals, due in large part to their cunningness, virility, and innocent nature. I tried to capture that tone and feeling in my work.”
Bunnylicious Acrylic on Paper 10”x15”
The Gwangju art scene seems to be in excellent health at the moment with many different opportunities arising for people looking to develop and showcase their talent. This workshop was just another example of that. The artwork is now being displayed at the G.I.C. Gallery in Gwangju Downtown. For more information email: gic@gic.or.kr
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Redzuan Rusli (A.K.A. Wan)
Redzuan Rusli is a mixed-media artist based in Brunei Darussalam and is currently living in Gwangju, South Korea. He has always been very passionate about Art and Design for as long as he can remember. His interest in the creative arts grew to become more than a hobby and more into a career choice when he first enrolled to study art back in 2004. Art really gave him the opportunity to focus his talents in ways that he never imagined; especially being able to work in a creative environment with other Artists and being exposed to other Artists’ artworks.
The problem with the world today is the sense of arrogance and ignorance. People often insults and challenge other’s values and beliefs. Everybody is trying to defend or preach their own beliefs and values, that sometime may provokes other people’s thoughts and conscience.
art elemento
“I base my artwork on the values of freedom and respects.” I based my artwork on the values of freedom and respects. I believed that people are free to do what they want to do, think what they want to think, believe what they want to believe and thus free to express their thoughts and values. My artworks is a shadow to my every single emotions and different mixture of feelings I often had. Most of the time it acts as my only ‘private space’ to express my personal thoughts and feelings. Painting allows me to express my 1001 feelings and views freely without fearing about being ‘disrespectful’ and ‘provocative’ to others. And it also allows me to communicate my thoughts and frustrations, when no one understands.
I fight with a piece of canvas, which I think is better than fighting and arguing with people. I do not believe in describing my artworks to the viewers because I personally think that art is not meant to be explained, but rather to be enjoyed. When people ask me about the meaning of my paintings, my answer is often why. I would prefer my artwork to be mysterious with hidden stories instilling my views and imaginations thus communicate a sense of tranquility and privacy. And it is often up to people to interpret it with their own interpretation and freedom to create their own story and tales. That is my purpose
of painting; to give others and viewers freedom to wander with their own imagination, which I think is even more interesting. And last but not least I would like to share my 2 favorite quotes by Aristotle ‘The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance’. And by William Dobell ‘A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing’. www.redzuanrusli.tk
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Its Friday. Dave Clarke at the Subway on Saturday. Phone friends, make sure everyone is organized and has their tickets. Gunna be mega. It’s Saturday night, don’t feel hungry, too excited, call friends, have a shower, get changed, put on some tunes, sling back a few vodkas, meet friends at Tiger Tiger. Adults become kids again. Everyone’s in great mood, smiles and jokes, making predictions on what set DC is going to throw down tonight. Can’t wait. The floor’s vibrating as we pass the bouncers. The resident throws down a couple of crowd pleasers, the floors rammed, only 10 minutes before DC, better try and find my friends somewhere at the front. Feel a bit conscious at the front, blocking peoples
dj guy p : lala land view because I’m too tall. Dave Clark enters, throws down a pounder. Fuck it. Time to lose all inhibitions and go mental with my mates. Hands in the air, anything goes from now on.
given people that wouldn’t usually listen or dance to electronic music a taste of dance music, and they realize the fun to be had going mental to other sub-genres of electronic music.
I love techno and house music. It’s what puts a huge smile on my face. I love the energy. It brings people together to have a good time and let of a bit of steam from the previous week’s nonsense. I guess this is why I got into Djing, as well as having a good time myself, I enjoy seeing others have a good time. Personally, I find djing relaxes me and I’m able to zone in to the tunes at hand. I think this is why I was able to pick it up fairly quickly.
Im pleased there are more DJs in Gwangju I can share my passion with. At one point, a couple of years ago, I must have been the only underground DJ in Gwangju. It was a lonely time to be a DJ in Gwangju. I even took up a residency at Club Volume playing electro house for a few months. I didn’t enjoy the experience, mostly because I had to play electro house. However, and thank god there’s a however, more fellow underground DJs are living in the Ju and its great that we’ve all come together and are trying to build something special.
I think being a techno and house music dj you are automatically branded a bit of a music snob. I always tell people it’s what makes you happy that’s important. If you like 80s power ballads, then, hey, that’s cool to. I’ll be the first one to admit getting drunk in a bar dancing to bon jovi and watching a few episodes of Jesery Shore when I’m hung over the next day. Who cares. The scene in Gwangju. Baby steps. It’s getting better. House music is far more commercialized these days and it’s reaching a wider audience. Although I’m not a huge fan of electro house music, David Guetta et al, it has
We all know how special the underground dance scene can be from experiencing it in our own countries and we’re all confident and extremely enthusiastic about Gwangju. We’ve recently started the Gwangju Underground nights where you can hear a multitude of electronic beats from house music to drum and bass. The energy has been of the chart and we’re pleased to see so many happy faces dancing. The response has been great and I can’t wait for the next one. Big things are happening down here now.
Michael Paul
art elemento
Start a band. Play some covers. Get a gig in a pub. Play in front of a handful of people. Repeat.
That’s essentially what most musicians go through back in England. It’s a demoralizing and thoroughly unenjoyable way of doing something you love. Believe me, I’ve done it along with countless others I know. Saying that, I did grow up in the musical black hole known as Middlesbrough so live music opportunities were hard to come by, much like a good Stephen Segal movie. Even after moving to Newcastle for university, getting live shows was a near impossibility if you didn’t know certain people in charge of certain places. I think we can all agree that it’s a bit of a shitty situation that comes, admittedly, from the sheer number of very listenable young bands in England at any given point. So when I jumped on ye olde “band wagon” once more out here in Korea it was with minimal expectation, and I saw it as just another way to get out of my grimy one room during the week.
That perception was almost immediately changed after we wrote a few of our own songs and previewed them for some close friends at our practice space. We went out searching for places to play, and the response you get in Korea to live music is astounding. We walked into a bar in the downtown area on the Wednesday and asked to play a show there. Not only did they say yes, they said we could play that very Saturday night and all the equipment would be supplied except instruments. They even threw in free drinks (which doesn’t hurt). This was unprecedented for all 5 of us, it just doesn’t happen. But that’s emblematic of what playing live music in Korea is all about. Bar and club owners are only too willing to let you ruin their bar with a million decibels of guitar feedback. Because of this the bands feel a responsibility to put on a hell of a show, rather than the 4 jaded emo guys playing because they’re upset at their parents back in England.
Taken to a bigger level, this makes Korea an outrageously good country for spreading your bands name around different cities, because it’s not a Gwangju foible. In England you play at a pub and half the people aren’t there for live music they’re there to eat dinner with their family. Teenagers playing loud music “with really quite questionable lyrics, Doris” just does not compute for them. Here, you can attract a crowd of 50 and it feels like 10 times the amount. This, personally, helps me to keep doing it, to put on a better show each and every time, to write better songs, to make catchier vocal refrains. The contrasting qualities between the music scenes here and at home allow for more confidence in a bands production and performance of music. This in turn then breeds better music from all parties. With this in mind, you should absolutely keep a tuned ear to the resonating ground of Korea and enjoy what you unearth. Foreign bands are starting to make a splash in this country and it would be wise to ride the wave.
20 Daniel Luzo
Eraser
When asked what I do, I say I’m a performing monkey. They smile, they laugh, they appreciate the joke, but they don’t really get it. “Yeah, it must be hard, being a teacher,” is a common reply. But they still don’t get it. I equate my job to that of a stand-up comedian, and a bad one at that, dying on stage every night. At least comedians have a common language to transgress the boundary of the stage lights. My routine typically involves acting out simple vocabulary. I merely want to achieve a laugh, at least a smile, and engage them beyond a level of mere bafflement. Otherwise, the only defence I have against the dead silence is a stick of halk. But now is the time to hand back exam papers. They are snatched out of my hands as I circulate, so as not to be seen by any others. The disappointed looks of those who have done well, the joyful glee as those with bad marks pass their papers around. The students decided their grade long before the exam. It’s no longer even about apathy. Merely resignation. The more the students can resign themselves to learning English, the more hope there is for success. It’s certainly not me gesticulating wildly hoping that the chalk will throw out knowledge. I teach in Korea. The nuances
of which I still fail to grasp in teaching practice. And I’m ground down. Four years here and I still don’t know how to get them to be... well, that’s my problem right there. I go back to my position in front of the blackboard, papers still in my hands from those who only attend to fail their exams. I know I have to progress from here somehow, but I’ve never been certain how. So much so, that when time stops, I am only relieved. In truth, despite the absolute improbability of time stopping, this is no different from any other class. The students remain as deanimated as before, my words continuing to bounce off their shells. This becomes my job. Utilising English for my own desperate entertainment when I should actually be teaching it. There are about 30 students in here, caught in the crystal clarity of a photo. Why I would have expected the blur of a video freeze-frame is beyond me. One student, with legs crossed is leaning over the back of her chair to discuss with the student behind who, arm supporting her on the table is looking intently at the work in front of her. Another student sat away is looking over, chin rested in her hand, face angled down, but eyes looking up and across at this only minor dramatic moment caught in the class.
Some watch me. Others are slumped. Two sleep. Time has stopped, but ennui continues. I stand on my platform, as frozen as time is. Feeling exposed, I begin talking. Talking about my life: the memories that I cherish, the ones I desire to banish; my opinions and viewpoints, even just films that I have seen, books that I have read. I talk and talk, hoping some of this may get through, but realising that my memories are as static as my students are. Time freezes in your head, trapping your identity. The only escape is the present, always chased by the prison of the past. Is this a chance for wish fulfilment? For me to do as the students believe is my job, to open up their heads and put the English inside? After all, isn’t that how education works over here? The belief that you can only know something if you already know it, and that if you don’t, you never shall? The belief that states that asking for help is beyond shameful, it is heretical. And that looking in a dictionary is a concept unknown to all and sundry. I fail my students, not because I don’t follow that great maxim of teachers and ‘inspire’ my students. I fail them because I don’t do all the work for them. I don’t have that much demanded magic USB stick to just insert in their heads and allow access to English. No,
art elemento English comes through experience, through mistakes, through associations. I am here to create an environment in which they can make mistakes. But what experiences can I give if they don’t embrace what little I have to offer in a stark, overcrowded classroom? My inane chattering stopped, I just wait for time to restart. However, waiting implies time. Has time actually stopped? You may as well just remove a physical dimension. And language, through the use of prepositions, has always intrinsically linked the two of those together, long before science really got its teeth into the concept. I wonder if I have been neglecting physics. If time has ceased to exist, then perhaps the three obvious dimensions, and all other dimensions have ceased to exist as well. Looking around, I cannot help but perceive the physical dimensions as they have always been. I even move through this bubble of time as if I still acknowledge it. Is this, then, a singularity? Everything condensed into one tiny point? A point in which I am free to roam? Or the pposite? One tiny point spread into infinity? I reach out to a desk in front of me. My hand passes through. I smile, my logic confirmed. If the physical world were to still exist, but paused in time, that means that every single molecule of air would be frozen in space, denying me movement, trapping me. Hmm... I move towards the nearest student, and then into him. We share the same perceived
carved emotions. It is creepy, I cannot deny, and I learn more about them than they should ever dare to divulge to another. But they are the performers now. I am merely the spectator. No spectator should ever be passive. Indeed, I feed into their static performance through my own responses – analytical, empathetical and interpretive. And, for the first time in my professional career, I am not alone. I finish up with the last student and leave her. There is a flicker in the world around and within me. And time begins again. The students are bemused and shocked, wondering where I’ve disappeared to. When they spot me, there’s a round of applause perhaps believing that I have performed some kind of disappearing-reappearing magic trick. I’m pleased. My stage is back. I check the notes in my book to see what the next routine billed is. The class continues. I’m nervous to ask any questions directly, continuing my explanations to the apathy of my students, who move their attentions elsewhere. I give exercises to do, and begin the rounds of cajoling them into some kind of action. The looks of uncertainty on their faces as they begin is something different to the usual blank stares as they wait for the words to take shape. I hold back my encouragement, and observe, giving perhaps the odd nod of encouragement. Their uncertainty remains as the words form in the blanks. Noticing pangs of pain inside me, I return to the board in
space, now truly connected dimensionally. I get a look into his mind: an emotion photographed into neurons. Without the context of thoughts, it is difficult to grasp hold of what he is feeling. I’m aware that I am able to look through his gallery of memories, but that’s not why I am here. I am achieving what I have always yearned for: to reach inside my audience; to only exist for each person. I begin filling his mind with English, careful not to put any of my own self in there. But in this motionless environment, it is difficult to get the words to stick. I need to apply the language I am giving him to something. I go through his memories. It takes a while to work out what exactly is going on in each memory, and I need to root around associated memories to work out context, location, time, even who individual people are. As I get to know him, and his life, I begin to be able to get English to attach, linking language to experience and context. Very different from the textbooks they pore over. In an interesting twist of Lacan’s theory, I am birthing language into him. I’m conscious that I’m altering his perceptions. English vocabulary is not an exact match for Korean vocabulary, English grammar less hierarchical, so each slight variation of the meanings between languages alters the context through which he shall look back upon his memories. I go through all the students, through the variety of their
22 record time, confident. We go over the answers, and then a class discussion is dropped limply before them. As always, there’s no response. As per usual, I wonder if they have understood me but just don’t know how to formulate an answer, or perhaps they are waiting for someone else to answer for them. I simplify the question, narrowing it down to a simple ‘yes/no’ question. I can usually get a couple of responses this way, not too much effort being required on their part. There’s a big response. I jump in with a follow-up question, again, to no response. I focus the same question in on a student, texting away on his phone. He just stares at me; an unreadable face. I ask again. The better students also put their attention on him, his nearest neighbours awaiting the poor response as punishment for getting caught on the phone. And... a simple sentence is attempted. I feel another sharp stab inside me. I continue with the questioning, his friends disappointed I am not mocking him mercilessly. With every attempt, his replies become more complicated. He even attempts a joke, and on cue, everyone laughs. As do I, through the intensifying pain. I try the same tactic elsewhere, and it works just as well. I still prompt, but my questions are more involved. However, there’s an edge, their new attentiveness is about waiting for me to slip up, much like the classrooms
of my youth. There is a more aggressive tone in the classroom, as I realise my students are becoming a challenge to my authority, hecklers in potential, though they have not yet taken that step. I set the class group activities, and listen to the surprised noises as they delve into themselves to find their newly acquired skill, with giggles and laughter as their confidence builds. They push and explore, prodding the quirks of language, no longer blankly accepting it. They analyse, criticise and discuss without prompting, discarding the tired-out slogans and propaganda usually put in place of opinions. I
retire behind my lectern, from where I sermonise - in truth, a podium to put my notes and bag. I can feel the pain moving out towards my skin, a tingling sensation building to an intense pins and needles discomfort. I look down to my hand, and it is translucent. With every English word uttered, their need for me is gone. As with any good teacher, my job is essentially a self-erasing job. I symbolise their mistakes which have been completely rubbed out. As they finish their task, a glow of success radiating from them, I wave my final goodbye. This performer disappears into reality.
art elemento
Picasso at Lapin Agile By Steve Mcnally
Einstein, Picasso and Elvis walk into a bar…….. Sounds like that start of a joke, but in fact it’s the scenario of play, written by Steve Martin, recently put on by GOTO Theatre.
Travis Major and Jo Park, managed to find a number of foreigners in the Gwangju community, willing or at least eager to get involved in this first ever GOTO production, and it will hopefully be the first of many. By the response of tickets sales, as in all 195 tickets for the three performances, being sold out with 3 days, it goes to show that live foreigner theatre is one thing that Gwangju needs. With all the interest, more shows could have been put or in a bigger venue. The current theatre is a small and intimate place, near Chonnam front gate, which will easily have the audience feel they’re part of the play. The story of the play is set in a bar in Paris in 1904, where the husband (Freddy) & wife (Germaine) team serve the public. This particular evening has the usual quirky regular Gaston, a 60 year
old Frenchmen. However Einstein also pops in, as he has a date with the countess. As he sits there sipping his drink, being Einstein his ideas are circling in his head. In comes Suzanne, a woman who was previously wooed by Picasso. Picasso finally arrives, being his usual pompous self. There are also visits by his art dealer Sagot, and a young crazy inventor called Schemndiman, who comes in like a whirlwind, but he has a secret admirer too. Crazy conversations continue, with both Picasso & Einstein, feeling that this century, the 20th century, their work will change the future. There are many jokes and interesting theories along the way. However near the end the future comes to them, as a “visitor” enters the bar having travelled through time. The visitor already changed the future, so he knows what it’s like, so tries to point Picasso in
the right direction. All together this a funny and entertaining play that will certainly have you thinking where it all came from and maybe wiping an eye from tears of laughter
Gwangju Performance Project www.gototheatre.weebly.com
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Bryan Simmons [ AKA DJ Hypnotiq ]
Questions I’ve been told to not look at the past but the future To not regret but learn from mistakes Putting you at the back of my mind deep in memories But seeing you in public makes my heart ache How Did I fall for you? I believed you were keeping it real telling the truth But it was the truth for the moment Instead of encompassing mind, body, and soul like true lovers What Was I thinking? Warning signs were as yellow as caution Lying to myself to fulfill my heart when my mind was telling me stop but I proceeded to go Why Did I fall for you? Were my desires confused and infused with lust? Was I in love or in love with the fact that you showed me and acted amused When Will I get over it? Seeing you in public aches all of my Body, mind, and soul With no cure but constant self therapy Analyzing moves that I should’ve, could’ve, and shouldn’t a have made Is this normal, average, the usual for a mislead heart? Out of sight, out of mind But questions of what could’ve been still arise Look forward to not being... But who will I look forward to ???
art elemento
Doug Stuber For Yobo: Yobo plays, aware that secret love lasts only so long when he never comes. Once last May he stopped by to ask if she would kiss in public. She broke his heart. He was a fool, she was too young, beautiful. Seriously she thought, then left. Every day he pines for her, but does not bother her with calls. He loves her so.
Oinky Boinking Clouds collide as lovers cry Under lightning’s bang. Black hawk soars in night-lit sky, He thrusts, she screams, he hangs. Kinky hair, united now, Again the petting starts. Coyote howls, full-moon rises, how Do you make love an art? Brown dirt crumbles front-to-back From her buttocks weight. It’s over now, they take the track That the deer have made. Few humans still enjoy fresh air Like this couple does. Beijing, London, L.A. beware: Your “dust” destroys what was. Nineteen ninety four, said Zinn, Marked more humans in the cities. Imagine doing the in-out-in, Where life is real and gritty.
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POP LIFE
TEQUILAZ BUK-GU
“Tequilaz’s annual Cinco de Mayo party was the hottest midweek event of the year. Revelers spilled out onto the patio, enjoying drink specials, dancing, a Mexican style buffet, and two bars. Friends enjoyed good company, and a few of the best bartenders in Gwangju. Some lucky people may have even spotted the legendary Kebab man himself later that night. If you somehow missed this celebration, mark your calendars for May 2012!”
By Amanda Hollingworth Photography: Sungjae Lee
art elemento
POP LIFE
NEVERMIND TONG-GU
“Where were you May 21st? The Super Color Super Launch Party rocked Club Nevermind with six of the finest examples of local talent, and proceeds benefited the Sung Bin Orphanage. Feed the Boats, Harp, and the Deserts played some good old fashioned rock n’ roll, and WHAT brought some Korean style heavy metal to the table. Da Meegook Movement laid down some beats, and Yamagata Tweakster ended the show on an electro note.”
By Amanda Hollingworth Photography: Amanda Hollingworth
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art elemento
Gwangju Museum of Art, located in Unam-dong, has a lot to offer to all art lovers, people from different age groups, different cultures and different nationalities. There is a wide variety of upcoming art exhibitions that’s dedicated to tributes, impressionism and culture. There is also an exhibition for children that is not only entertaining, but will also ignite the imagination of the young audience. Funny Illustration June 9 – October 2, 2011
The following exhibitions are at the Sangrok Exhibition Hall:
This exhibition is at the Children’s Gallery. Showing emotional works for children to enjoy, funny illustrations including fairy tales, animations and various characters to have fun with and feel through a variety of experiences.
Cho Young-Nam Exhibition June 4 – July 17, 2011
Joseph Beuys July 8 – October 23, 2011 Retrospective works by Joseph Beuys (1921 ~ 1986) who had greatly influenced conceptional art, performance art, environment art, and German Neo-Expressionism through a number of drawings, prints, and performances.
Lisa Mynhard 3 Solo Exhibition June 10th-July 10th, 2011 PDK Gallery, Nonsung Dong July 23rd - August 5th, 2011 GIC Gallery, Downtown www.bluebloodart.webs.com
Gwangju Performance Project www.gototheatre.weebly.com
Looking for all interested in participating in local non-profit theatre (actors, directors, techies, everyone)! Please contact the website, or Travis Major at 010-3860-0660
Masterpieces of Impressionism July 8 – October 23, 2011 Impressionism exhibition greatly loved by the public showing representative impressionists such as Millet, Manet, Monet, Cezzane, van Gogh, Gauguin, and Pissarro.
Ha Jung-Woong’s Collection 1 June 30 – December 4, 2011 Will show some art works out of 2,222 masterpieces donated by Ha Jung-Woong on the special theme.
Exhibition by Cho Young-Nam, a singer, entertainer, and artist who offers an opportunity to examine Korean contemporary culture and look into nostalgia for home and national identity through daily painting materials such as hwatu (flower cards).
Art Group Invitation Exhibition 1, Wonbong Association Exhibition July 22 – 31, 2011 Wonbong Association was selected from a contest held to support art group activity for the development of local culture and consists of artists from a variety of art fields including literati painting, Korean painting, ceramics, calligraphy, and handicrafts.
Art Group Invitation Exhibition 2, Dayeon August 5 – 14 2011 Dayeon is a group of artists involved in tea-related work, selected from the contest held to support art groups’ activity for the development of local culture.
164-1 Un.am-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju , Tel: 062-525-3279 , Operation hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day and during Chuseok) , www.artmuse.gjcity.net
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art elemento
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For advertising information email email@artelemento.com
The
Kebab Scooter
“Food just like home without having to buy that pesky airplane ticket.�
The Funnest, Fastest, Freshest Food in Gwangju! Now offering a variety of hummus flavours as well as fresh-made falafel mix. Reasonably priced and individually packaged for you to enjoy at home. To place an order, please contact The Kebab Scooter on Facebook or call:
010-6872-0106 Free delivery is available
Wednesday to Saturday 5pm to 10pm Sunday 11am to 5pm Drink service runs until the server has had enough Located downtown in the same building as The Underground Grocers Phone Number: 070) 4127-8066
The Underground Grocers Purveyors of things NOT Kimchi
Facebook: Gwangju Nail Shop Open Wed to Fri 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sat and Sun 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. tugrocers@gmail.com Tel: 062-232-2626 ugfoods.co.kr
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