Thematization of Isolation and Connection: Interview with Seo Kee-moon

▲ Cable Flower

Thematization of Isolation and Connection

Interview with Seo Kee-moon

Why do humans want to be connected? Why do they want to reach farther and higher? To compete and to conquer? For high returns? To control? To Seo Kee-moon, humans have to be connected to communicate, share, and be happy with each other. The direction of his vigorous force and energy are symbolized in his latest work “Cable Flower” in his most recent exhibition Metaverse. The artist has done many exhibitions solo and as a group, both domestically and abroad, and this latest is his 24th. Themes for his works revolve around current generational and societal issues. Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, forcing people to isolate, Seo has found this theme interesting to explore. Thus, since 2019, he has been working on topics bridging the digital and human worlds. Below is our interview with him. Gwangju News (GN): Thank you for accepting our request for an interview! Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

“Seo Kee-moon: I am a painter and have loved drawing since I was little. My hometown is in Jangseong. I moved to Gwangju in high school and later graduated from Chonnam National University’s Faculty of Arts with a bachelor’s degree, then from the Faculty of Education with my master’s, after which I got my doctorate degree from Chosun University’s Department of Arts in Aesthetic Art History. Currently, I am teaching students at my alma mater, Chonnam National University, in the Department of Fine Arts. GN: How did Covid-19 influence you in terms of your life as an artist? Seo Kee-moon: During this time, I have been reflecting on the social function of art through exhibitions with profound themes such as “Virtual Abolition of Contemporary Art and Virtual Relief” and “Art and the Spirit of the Times.” I have been constantly trying not to lose sight of the spirit of the times. For me, the Covid-19 pandemic and experience have become an opportunity to reflect on the fundamentals of humanity and civilization.

▲ Hyperconnectivity

GN: I can see how you sense the times through your work. So, do you think the theme or content is the most important part of your work? Seo Kee-moon: No, I do not emphasize only the subject or content aspect. As artists, we devote ourselves to deep pursuits in terms of form and expression, as well as content. Painting art can rather be secondary in subject matter or content. So, I have always given deep insight into the fundamental aporias of art, which are in a tense coexistent relationship, such as art and society, the autonomy and sociality of art, form and content, and expression and composition. Of course, the balance between the two is important, but I am also wary of false reconciliation or false harmony. The most important thing for me is to be consciously aware of the contradictions of art. GN: Any specific or personal reason why you chose the theme “Isolation and Connection” (고립과 연결) as the main theme for your exhibition? Seo Kee-moon: Since the outbreak of Covid-19, lockdowns, social distancing, and self-isolation have been implemented under the control of the quarantine authorities. In the past, in a pandemic situation such as the plague in medieval Europe, humanity was completely powerless, but in our time of Covid-19, the situation has been a little different. Individuals have been isolated but also connected through social media and telecommuting through video conferences. Information and communication technology has created a contactfree daily life that connects individuals and society even while in social isolation. It has become the socalled “metaverse era” where anyone can engage in social activities through various platforms.

“Isolation” and “connection” are contradictory and incompatible concepts. This bizarre combination is special at present, so I chose that as the subject.

GN: I am very curious why you use apples and cables in your artwork. What do you want to represent with these two completely different objects? Seo Kee-moon: Apples and cables are symbols and allegories to express the meaning of the theme “Isolation and Connection.” The apple is a complete structure, resembling a planet. Individual humans are also planet-like microcosmic beings orbiting themselves. The apple was chosen as a symbolic object to signify humans, microcosms, or planets. At the same time, I was curious about the specific material and power that connect each individual in our time. It was a cable line. Therefore, the cable itself symbolizes the human “desire for connection” to reach farther and faster.

GN: What are the important points in how you choose the colors and expressions seen in your works? Seo Kee-moon: Fluorescent and luminous colors found in liquid crystal displays such as smartphones, computers, and TVs are bright and colorful. I had a preconceived notion that they were light and frivolous. I thought the classic heavy colors were more valuable. It was a prejudice of mine – a color innovation along with new media. Modern people have adapted to high-resolution imagery and already have enough ability to enjoy it. It is an evolution of our visual ability. With this awakening, color innovation has been achieved in my works as well. We started to incorporate the issues of the times with color combinations that correspond to the times. In “Cable Flower,” the circular part is like the huge cable lines that are installed underwater, and each of the cables inside it are connected together. The petals are also made of cables. I wanted to represent the development of technology as well as the synergy of humans connecting. This synergy symbolizes the beautiful flower shown.

The Metaverse works show the social phenomenon of isolation and connection, the relationship between humans, and furthermore, the relationship between objects. The objects (apples) each have one individuality, but when they meet, they overlap. I wanted to give the painting a sense of depth through these overlapping parts. In addition, in terms of content, I wanted to show that infinitely new possibilities could be created through connections. In particular, new, creative colors emerge that are independent of the apples' own colors. Usually, when you paint over something, the colors become dull and dark when the colors overlap. If you ignore the principle of color as it is, the overlapping parts become dark and cloudy. I wanted to express the potential of humans and society to meet and create better synergy. Here, as a painter, I felt the need to intervene. So, the overlapping parts were expressed brightly by increasing the saturation. This is an important point in the expression of the Metaverse works.

GN: What are you planning for your next exhibition? Seo Kee-moon: For the time being, I would like to deepen the topics explored in “Isolation and Connection” and Metaverse, as well as to work more on my “Companion” (동행) series. The next exhibition will show deeper and richer works with this theme.

Seo Kee-moon’s Major Exhibitions

2009–2012 KIAF (Seoul) 2012 Hong Kong Contemporary (Hong Kong) 2013 Korean Art Show (Houston and New York) 2016 Rediscovery of Baekje (Jeonbuk Museum of Art, Wanju) 2019 思人思索 (4 People 4 Thoughts Exhibition, Beijing)

Images courtesy of Seo Kee-moon.

The Interviewers

Karina Prananto is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been involved with the Gwangju News since 2007. She is a special-needs mother and loves Harry Potter, dinosaurs, watching true crime documentaries, and traveling with her family.

Kim Hyun-ji is from Gwangju, South Korea, and has been doing an internship at the GIC since March 2022. She loves art, animals, tea, reading books, and traveling with her global friends.