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My mom says that I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. Now, this does not make me a dedicated or even talented artist by any means. In fact, I go through many stints and stretches of having drawn nothing. But when I do draw, it is because I feel something deeply, whether it be in the present or from my past. I grew up in post-communist Czechoslovakia, later to become the Czech Republic. I lived in a village built from the ground up by the older residents who had been placed there by the Nazis. Here I lived, on the outskirts of Plzen, nestled on a hillside at the edge of a dark forest. Naturally, my siblings and I ventured into these woods... Every folk tale and classic fantasy story like that of the ‘Vodnik’, Alice in Wonderland, Hansel and Gretel and Stoker’s Dracula came to life in this forest... shy hedgehogs and rabbits, poisonous mushrooms, never-lifting fog, mossy floors and murky ponds...magical and mysterious, maybe even haunted... such memories are what inspire my current drawings... Laura Sparley
6 Art is not a thing; it is a way. Elbert Hubbard
We can’t believe it either. Summer. 2012. Already here. Time to get AE7 out on the streets , and let you know about things you can’t normally read anywhere else. Summer being the hottest season of the year, I’m committed to provide an accessible showcase for some of the best in new creativity and art in town and else in the peninsula. AE has become a great place to discover new art & ideas and we hope to get you inspired this summer. Enjoy summer, enjoy life, enjoy AE7.
PRODUCED BY / Joe Wabe EDITORS/ Stephen Redeker, Lorryn Smit, Frank McKinley ART DIRECTOR/ Joe Wabe CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/ Stephen Redeker, Adam Hogue, Doug Stuber, Lorryn Smit, Lindri SteenKamp CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS/ Julia Thompson, Laura Sparley, Sakiroo, Eun Oh, James C. Greer MEDIA & DISTRIBUTION/ , Lorryn Smit, Jane Moon ADVERTISING/ Joe Wabe PRINTING/ Alex J. Hwang WEBSITE/ artelemento.com EMAIL/ email@artelemento.com SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE VENUES THAT HELP US DISTRIBUTE AE: The First Alley The Underground Grocers The German Bar Top Bookstore Speakeasy GIC Center N.S.O.M Tattoo Bar Zeppellin Mix Lounge First Nepal
Art is nothing but imitation of nature.
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.
Cover design by Sakiroo
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7 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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Julia Thompson For me a word that has been present, active in my mind and life for the past few years is journey. The mysteries of what can be possible for one’s future are what fuel journey itself. Everybody at one point or another faces life’s complexities and these vary immensely. But one thing that we can all do is stop and take in the moments we want to hold on to. www.juliatphotography.com
Photography has allowed me to do that. Many moments pass by, and few can be captured. Through a camera lens the photographer can experience an intimate moment with their subject. The photographer enables their subject to speak something, breathing life into an otherwise idle, unrecognized being. Only recently have I begun to take on photography. Being behind a camera has given me the heightened sense of sight, which I had unknowingly been searching for. The mechanics of a camera wonderfully embodies the idea of perspective. Perspective itself is something that absolutely everyone shares in the sense that we all have it, but as we know, all perspectives are different. Difference intrigues and challenges the mind if we allow it to. Being able to share our differences of thought and outlook through speech is one way, but visual art arguably can take those thoughts to a new place. Changing focus can always open up our perspective not only in photography but also in life. The ability to alter focus even the slightest bit can give one a whole new picture that may have not been seen before, another piece of the story. Wait patiently for the beautiful moments in life, let them come to you like a firefly in the night. Focus in on them, catch them, and don’t let them go, until it is time.
The ability to alter focus even the slightest bit can give one a whole new picture that may have not been seen before, another piece of the story.
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Laura Noelle Sparley I have never really stuck to one particular style or even medium when it comes to my art. I think that overall, what I do and have done is very hodgepodge, but it is a very true reflection of my life, experiences and interests. In saying that, I will write in a pretty eclectic way about the pieces shown in this issue.
Houby-hunting...”houby” meaning “mushrooms”. Boruvkyhunting...”boruvky” meaning blueberries. That is how we kids referred to what is known as wild mushroom and blueberry picking season while living in eastern Europe. The Czech people absolutely LOVE their forest lands. Fall is an especially wonderful time to visit them and with fall comes the mushroom and blueberry picking season. This is a hobby shared by the majority of the countrymen, young and old; a hobby that is enjoyable yet taken very seriously. You see, mushroom hunting can be quite dangerous, even fatal if you do not possess the proper knowledge and expertise of the varying species. There are both edible and poisonous varieties and among these exist “lookalikes” or “twins”. That is to say, poisonous species that mirror edible ones and if
you do not know how to tell the difference, well, uh-oh... Because of this great danger, new and young hunters (we Sparley kids having been included) were always accompanied by an expert elder. I remember very clearly how we were taught so carefully the proper way to identify each...by their colors, textures and environments. My favorite learned skill was in touch, feeling under the tops of mushrooms and discovering sponginess, smoothness, ridges...it all seemed so out of this world. The odd shapes, sizes and colors looked so magical...almost extraterrestrial, especially juxtaposed with the foggy mist and mossy forest floors. Blueberry hunting, on the other hand, was taken seriously not because it was dangerous but because of all the
yummy things a person can make with them. Pies, jams, cakes, muffins, desserts...the list is endless! Not to mention how fun it is to squish a bunch in your hands and rub the juice all over your face like war paint. Telling folk tales is another popular pastime throughout Europe and many are often similar in storyline and lesson or moral. The characters also have many similarities but vary in intensity, whether more of a humorous angle or a darker one. My favorite Czech tale was that of the “Vodnik”, which some of you might be familiar with through the famous composer, Antonin Dvorak’s symphonic poem, “The Water Goblin”. Czech lands and forests are crawling with ponds, streams and rivers, which makes apparent the sources of inspiration for the Vodnik’s character.
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The Czech people absolutely LOVE their forest lands. Fall is an especially wonderful time to visit them and with fall comes the mushroom and blueberry picking season.
Now there are many versions of this particular tale...most often, the Vodnik is portrayed as a somewhat comedic drunken vagrant but in some versions, he is quite frighteningly nightmarish; collecting people’s souls in jars under the murky forest waters, killing his half-human/half-fish child, holding a beautiful young maiden against her will when she longs to return to her home and family on land, etc. The story basically attempts to prevent and warn against drownings and/or to discourage marriage outside of one’s culture. My fascination with this tale, most especially the young maiden and her own fate along with her child’s, has never faded. I always wanted there to be a different ending and, I suppose in art, I can make one...
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Sakiroo
by Stephen Redeker
Have you seen artist called “Sakiroo”? Not likely, but if you’re reading this, then you’ve certainly seen his artwork. Sakiroo is a character designer and illustrator here in Korea. As a student at the tender age of 20, he set out on a mission to become an artist and pursue a career of illustration.
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Challenge yourself. Stand apart from the others. Pursue what it is that makes you comfortable, and create your art as an individual striving to convey a message that not only entertains, but also enlightens. What’s in a name? “Sakiroo” was not his name given at birth, he created it himself when he began his journey in character design. His friends still call him by his real name: Sang-Hyun Choi. Sakiroo needed a meaningful, more congruent name that matched his style and artwork. According to him, he possesses a forceful personality willing to go beyond the bounds of convention (hence, the unconventional moniker). Inspiration is drawn from unusual places, and for Sakiroo it’s no different. The works of Toriyama Akira are revered by him. Most famous for “Dr. Slump” and “Dragonball”, Akira has been crafting his own brand of character art since 1979 and he obviously gave a big boost to Sakiroo’s motivation. Sakiroo is also inspired by other artists; they help shape his ideas and desires. From the past, present and into the future, every artist who aims to achieve for the sake of the ART itself is what sparks his passion. His character illustrations are based on humanities and provoke thought and philosophy, not just a pretty picture. It’s Sakiroo’s hope to deliver his thoughts as another language through his art, and to be understood on an extra level which goes beyond what is seen on the surface. You might think the life of an artist lends itself to an unusual routine. Actually, Sakiroo is not much differ-
ent than the rest of us. On a normal day, video games help him pass the time and alleviate stress (Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 is among his favorites). He also engages in a real game of soccer on occasion. To unwind, he enjoys reading books and watching movies. Sakiroo takes pride in some of his personal accomplishments such as becoming a member of ACL (Adobe Creative Leader). He’s also been employed with Louis Vuitton. In 2012 he participated in Tiger Translate and was very proud to represent his native Korea. The future looks bright for Sakiroo, but he prefers not to think long-term. At this time there are no big dreams for him, no lofty goals guiding his artist’s hand. He’s perfectly contented in the present time: drawing what he wants to draw in relative comfort, without the stresses of deadlines and art critics. He does hope to further develop his own individual studio and gift much of his work to his many fans. For the aspiring artists out there looking for some inspiration themselves, Sakiroo has a message for you: Challenge yourself. Stand apart from the others. Pursue what it is that makes you comfortable, and create your art as an individual striving to convey a message that not only entertains, but also enlightens.
sakiroo.com
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Shakespeare & Me William Shakespeare is a well known playwright and poet. His works have been published in multiple languages and his name is synonymous with the theater. Mr. Shakespeare was in Korea promoting the latest production being put on by the Gwangju Performance Project this summer and into the fall. It is sure to be an interesting project. We caught up with Mr. Shakespeare while he was on break from his tour of bookstores. Here is what he had to say:
AE: Mr. Shakespeare, this is quite an honor. I am a huge fan of your works, but, I’d never take you as a fan of the Danish with tea. Shakespeare: It’s all part of the mystique baby. You got to keep the people on their toes and wanting more, you dig? AE: Yea, I really do dig. You write much differently than you speak naturally. Is the voice you use in your plays a subconscious you? Or is it a persona? Shakespeare: As I said, mystique. Is it hot in here or is it cold. You feel it? Times are changing and so does Willy. Stay with it. AE: So, apart from promoting your new book, Doth Thy Whistle Blow Fowl? You are in town supporting the Gwangju Performance Project. What are they up to that warrants the promotion of Shakespeare himself. Shakespeare: Their doing art my man. They’re doing it. They aren’t up to anything. It’s up with them. You dig it. They’re feeling some shit that no one’s felt in a long time, you know? That orgasm or whatever you call it. The magic. The groove. They’re in the groove, yea, the groove. AE: Will you being doing any work with the project? Submitting work? Shakespeare: I’m going to go over here and do my thing. All I can say is the Gwangju Performance Project found it and they’re sharing it. Shakespeare found it and he’s doing it. I don’t need to redo what I’ve done, right? I’m just letting people know from someone who found it, it’s here. AE: What can we expect to see in your upcoming book tour? Shakespeare: I don’t know, what do you expect to see. The world’s full of expectations. It is what it is, sit down and dig it or don’t dig it. I don’t care. It’s ready for you, are you ready for it?
The Gwangju Performance Project will be holding a series of writing workshops leading up to a script contest for a fall production called, Your Words on Stage. The workshops are being given by Rachel Redfern, an accomplished writer and professor. They are designed to help people develop creative written work and develop plays for submission on August 1st. Your Words on Stage will showcase the work of local writers, directors and actors right here in Gwangju. For more information on submission details and to learn how to get involved, please visit: http://www.gwangjutheatre. com/your-words-on-stage.html
The workshops will be held at the Gwangju International Center located downtown. Learn more and get your creative juices flowing at the Gwangju Performance Project’s Writing Workshops being held at the GIC downtown. Workshop Dates at GIC First Lecture Sunday June, 24th @ 3-4:30pm Wednesday June 27th @ 7pm (make-up) Second Lecture Sunday July 8th @ 3pm
I don’t know, what do you expect to see. The world’s full of expectations. It is what it is, sit down and dig it or don’t dig it.
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Eun Oh I have been working for this company for about 4 years. I sat down in front of my desk to do the same designs and I felt sick with each day passing. There was no change, I had no energy and I felt no happiness. I felt as if I could disappear into thin air.
I later travelled to Spain where my mindset changed: “There will be no change if I try nothing.” This is common sense to the average person I know, but I realized I wasn’t really doing anything to change my circumstances. So I picked up my pen and I decided not to kill time with chatting and coffee. I started to draw everything around me. I drew my friends. I even drew my box of black tea that I normally drink. I just tried even though I was not good drawing. What started out as only one drawing, became two. Two drawings became a book. Then, two books and so on. Now I have several books and have started to add some color with Photoshop several times.. What I have done, hasn’t made me something. However, these drawings illustrated my life, what I was thinking and what efforts I put into my life. These books are treasures to me that show me that I AM doing something. It’s been about 2 years since I started drawing. I still kill time doing nothing but I go back and look at my drawings again and again. I am reminded that changes in life do not happen suddenly, but by doing little things all the time you bring your future closer... Start doing something today! Anything! Who could have known, that my box of tea could have started something so inspiring. It wasn’t just trash...
Who could have known, that my box of tea could have started something so inspiring. It wasn’t just trash...
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James C. Greer Jr. Like most kids, James used crayons, chalk, and pencils to draw. Unlike most kids, he never put them down. By the age of 12 he had advanced to intricate monsters and superheroes. His ‘tween art stardom exploded soon after. “From Band flyers to T shirt designs or yearbook covers, I was usually the one to do it.” After graduating from Seoul American High School at the U.S. Army Yongsan base he went on to study sculpture, printmaking and photography at the Toledo Museum of Art, School of Fine Art, of the University of Toledo. From there he moved to Seattle and eventually made his way back to Korea. Now living in Seoul with his lovely wife, James is actively pursuing his artistic endeavors and is a member of the Jankura Art Space. James is a figurative artist with a tendency towards emotional narratives, textured and stylized renderings and a stark palette. “My art has always been visually frank. I try to maintain graphic intensity without losing the original mood. Drawing can be a cathartic experience and I use it as a means of therapy as much as design. Because of that I tend to bring a large emotional component to my work.” Despite his formal training in more traditional mediums, James primarily works in 2D with a mixed media palette. He creates varied textures, lines and tones by using different pigments and mediums that in some cases result in images bordering on relief rather
than a flat surface. Even though a drawing may start with a pencil or pen, the final execution could be crafted from charcoal embedded within resin or coated with a layer of store bought white out. No matter the media, at the heart of his work is always a drawing. “I love drawing, especially figure drawing. I attend 1 to 3 figure drawing sessions a week. Attempting to capture human anatomy with just pencil and paper will likely be a challenge of mine for the rest of my life. It’s both exhausting and invigorating.” When working from life, James tends to use a more scholastic, faithful approach to capture the subject at hand. These drawings form the foundation for his larger efforts. James is currently working on a body of work entitled The Meat Hook Series. “In my mind, meat hook takes on a few different connotations that I’m playing with in this series. A meat hook can be exactly that, a hook meant to drag around hunks of meat, and those are pretty evil looking tools. But meat hook can refer to a person’s hands as well. The title of the series shouldn’t be thought of as a definition of the pieces more than a starting point, an inspiration of sorts.”
The series features human figures in contorted poses and indecipherable facial expressions drawn in an energetic style juxtaposed with similarly styled tools or weapons. The latter pieces incorporate a near static composition in comparison to the more dynamic figurative work. His goal is to have nine pieces completed in the series for presentation in a solo show.
James can be reached at : Thefrownclown@gmail.com and Jankura Art Space in Itaewon, Seoul.
Attempting to capture human anatomy with just pencil and paper will likely be a challenge of mine for the rest of my life. It’s both exhausting and invigorating.�
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Lindri Steenkamp “MyPlekInAfrikaans”
“Ek groet my land. Ek verwelkom my taal met ope gedagtes. In die Ooste verwelkom ek Haar. Sy is sag en gerusstellend, verwelkomend en lieflik. Sy laat mense wonder en vra. Sy verras hulle deur haar bestaan en Sy lok hulle uit deur haar romantiese klank. Tog is Sy steRk en GeoRden...maar ook simplisties en dinamies. Sy laat baie ruimte in my hart vir die dankbaarheid en bestaan van vriende en familie in haar primêre plek van spraak.
Sy is ‘n knap oppasser van hart en siel. Haar kwesbaarheid in haar self,op die punt en aan die Weste kus van Afrika, laat haar teenwoordigheid helder bloem in die veld van die onbekende. Ek moet fyn aandag gee aan haar.... Die tegnologie laat min plek vir haar skoonheid. Ek moet haar vind in die oudheid van boeke en haar vier in die prag van dig. Ek vind myself soms arm ten opsigte van haar skatte... En tog...is dit waar ek myself wel vind.”
My home in Afrikaans
Stoned Crystal
I leave my country I welcome my language with open thoughts In the East, I welcome Her.
You scream Little one, you scream In the imprisonment of selfishness and hate You scream Cat foot, bare foot they sneak past your cries Your desperation for the water world of your origin You scream
She is tender and comforting, welcoming and lovely. She intrigues and provokes strangers from a far She surprises them through her existence; she lures them with her romantic melody She is strong and ordered… yet simplistic and dynamic. She molds vast spaces in my heart. In these spaces she births gratitude for family and friends in Her primary area of existence. She is a diligent care taker of heart and soul Her vulnerability within in her self, at the point and in the West Coast of Africa – leaves her presence all the more extravagant in the unknown fields. I have to nurture her. Technology allows minimal grounds for her splendor. I must find her in the maturity of books I must celebrate her in the beauty of poetry At times I find myself poor with regards to her treasures And yet…I find myself in Her.
KlipKristal Jy skree. Kleintjie jy skree. In die gevangenis van selfsug en haat. Jy skree. Hulle stap kaalvoet, katvoet om die kwaad. Jou smagting na die waterw êreld van jou oorsprong. Jy skree. VrouMens verruil kristalle vir haar juweel. Haar klip. Haar gebrokeness gevangenis. Die steen in haar gemoed. Die kanaal van lewe waardeur jy swem. Jy skree. jou lewe word bespeek as offering vir poeierkos. Jy skree. Vir Bottel Bors BroodKors. Liefde Vergaan in dampe Verslawings-rampe die skree verminder.
Mother exchanging crystals for her jewel Her rock Her brokenness Captivity The stone in her clarity The canal of life through which you swam You scream Your life bargained for the substance of powder You scream For Bottle Breast Bread Love Evaporates In smoke Addictive disasters The scream slowly fading
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Bohemian Gwangju I’ve always believe that there is a tactile romantic experience sending a brief message from a far away land to a loved one at home with a postcard. I’m a believer in the postcard. The image can be enticing and inviting, or it can be sensational, possibly shocking. The written side of the card can be as simple as “Hi Mom,” or a complex narrative of a wonderful experience written in the smallest legible script known to mankind.
Unfortunately post cards are not everywhere in Korea, specially extremely hard to find in Gwangju (I’ve not come across one yet in this town). The culture of postcards is not big in Korea, especially in towns that are less touristic. You wouldn’t have a problem finding postcards in places like Jeju Island or Seoul . In general I think postcards are entering a “dark age” with the already troubled postal systems that people have known for over 100 years and is going through a radical shift in the age of electronic information. How many more years are left until email replaces what we already politely refer to as “snail mail”? Who knows. The first postcard sent over a postal service in England was a hand-painted caricature card by a writer, Theodore Hook mailed in 1840. The idea of a “postal card” was patented in the United States in 1861 (someone thought it was a good enough idea to make some money off it). Postcards with printed pictures on them sprung up in the 1870′s and after a souvenir printed picture postcard (the parent of all the souvenir cards we think of today) was mailed in 1874 by a tourist in Vienna there was no stopping the phenom-
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Cultural and nationalistic pride are strong forces, along with spiritual, historical, and culinary pride. I’m hoping to tap into those feelings and get people excited about sharing Gwangju with the world.
ena that would become mainstream in every country in the world (with a postal system) for over 100 years. Pretty exciting when you think that approximately 3 billion postcards are mailed annually (and that’s only in the United States). The project of making postcards of Gwangju, was fueled by an idea from the Gwangju Photography Club. An idea that was put on the assembly line but was never produced. That’s when I decided to rescue the project and put it in the right track to eventually see it turning into reality. So far I’ve worked on a selection of about 20 shots from different representative places in town, and will be working throughout the year to get much more. Also the idea is to get more people who are interested in photography, like the members from the Photography Club involved in the project. But before getting too many people involved it is important to work on the logistics of the project. Distribution places, preferences, prices etc. Cultural and nationalistic pride are strong forces, along with spiritual, historical, and culinary pride. I’m hoping to tap into those feelings and get people excited about sharing Gwangju with the world. I want to see a high level of intense pride in what the authors chose to write about on each postcard.
facebook.com/BohemianGwangju
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World Art Number One From May 19th to 31st, the Gwangju Artists Collective put on “World Art Number One� at the Jami Art Center near Chonnam University. Participating artists included: Gilda Wilson, Anjiee DiSanto, James C. Greer, Jr., Tim Han , Joe Wabe, Mark Eaton, Leroy Kucia, Doug Stuber Jess Hinshaw, Zach Rensberger, Scott Shanklin and Jennifer Nakao. Gilda Wilson used her experience to design the layout of the show, which was amazingly black and white. Photography and drawings were black and white, meaning seven of the twelve artists were heavily involved with black and white, while the other five spiced up the room with paintings and ceramics that stood out and balanced the effect. By not including a theme, curator Doug Stuber hoped to encourage artists to show their best work, not something made to fit a lastminute request. This worked well, and a large crowd came to welcome the group to the public art space. Seoul, Jeonju, Suncheon and Daecheon artists added to the Gwangju creators. The collective aims to repeat this again next year. by Doug Stuber
International Festival Mannam Gwangju recently held an in aid of the homeless. People were given a chance to experience the different cultures that Mannam has to offer in the form of food, traditional activities and an awesome showcase of dances, beautiful singing talents, a taekwondo performance and many more. Nepal, Japan, Iran, South Africa, China, Peru, Philippines, America and of course Korea were all represented to show Gwangju their pride and joy of their countries. The community was asked to bring along old shoes and canned food that they would be willing to donate and inspirational postcards were sold to raise some money. The support that was showed by the community, both foreign and Korean, was overwhelming! By the end of the event there were 3 boxes of shoes, a box of canned food, some clothes and a substantial amount of money that will be donated to a local homeless shelter. Thank you Gwangju for helping us make a difference! If you would like to get more involved, look us up on Facebook: MannamGwangju by Lorryn Smit
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