Fields
of
Immersion
S u n g f e e l
Hanmi
Gallery
OCT
ISSUE
38th
Y u n
Interim
Exhibition
Throughout the summer of 2014, Hanmi Gallery has proudly presented a variety of interim exhibitions responding to our artists chosen theme. Based in London since 2008, Korean-born artist Sungfeel Yun has finally put together a collection of his ideas and conclusions about the interrelations between art, spirituality, and modern science in his solo exhibition “Fields of Immersion”. The exhibition encompasses a range of Yun’s works that are bound together by the theme of revolution - cosmic revolution and therevolution of life in the scale of the human mind. With a profound and complex understanding of the balance between the obscure and the graspable perceptions of invisibile forces, Yun embraces the universe and offers audience tranquility in chaos; stillness in movement; and immensity in visual forms in his final solo show in London after 6 years of work here. In his artwork, Yun explores the connection between the theoretical sciences, such as string theory and quantum mechanics, and Eastern philosophies. By incorporating rotating magnets, motors and action sensors in his work Yun opens a dialogue between physical science and aesthetics, bridging these seemingly antithetical ideas through artistic expression. The full circle motif he employs is more than a visual representation of hte cyclic nature of creation and destruction - the Yin and Yang in Taoism and Buddhism, but a conscious contemplation of spiritual and physical laws from within and without the self and the cosmos. Hanmi Gallery’s exclusive interim exhibition programme responds to the gallery space’s raw and stripped-back state. The distinctive gallery setting offers artists and curators an opportunity to engage with a space different to that of the stereotypical ‘white cube’ gallery. It allows them to explore how site resonates with an artistic endeavor and the effects that it has both spatially and psychologically in the gallery setting. The site Hanmi Gallery offers has become an arena for experimentation, inspiring artists and spectators to look at the space, and the art within it, in a new way. Despite the sites numerous curatorial challenges, our artist’s have engaged with the space intimately and personally to showcase and foster visual culture that reflects the present-day.
38th Interim Exhibiton Fields of Immersion Sungfeel Yun
Solo exhibition in Zaha Museum in Seoul, 2012.
Sungfeel Yun
(above) Looking at the Real World from within the Real World 24, 2014. Stainless steel, Magnets, Motor, Action Sensor, coins, 70 x 36 x 185cm. (left)
Looking at The real world from within The real world 1, 2011. Stainless steel, Magnets, Motor, Action Sensor,
Steel Powder. 85 x 95 x 15 cm.
(above) Looking at the Real World from Within the Real World 24, 2014. Stainless steel, Magnets, Motor, Action Sensor, Coins, 70 x 36 x 185cm. (top left) Energy 17, 2014. Stainless steel, Bolts, Nuts, 38 x 40 x 20 cm. (bottom left) Detail from Looking a the Real World from Within the Real World 23, 2014. Aluminium, Magnets, Motor, Action sensor, Iron powder, 244 x 41 x 90cm.
in The real world 15, London art fair.
Looking at The real world from withi
Chaos, Cosmos and Circulation Series 2008 - 2014 These works on canvas tackle themes of balance and harmony in the universe, relating to both the macro and the micro and revealing the constant flux of systems, including human existence. “The conceptual nature of my work is about the nature of existence, as explored in Eastern philosophes and the theories of physics moreover affected by the expressive methods of minimal art such as using geometric styles, repetitive patterns and simple forms.” – Sungfeel Yun
Following episodes of life threatening bronchial asthma attacks as a child, Yun was drawn to ontological questioning. The search for answers to the simple question, ‘What am I?’ led to the study of Taoism, the Yin and Yang theory and Buddhism. Yun relates these philosophies to the scientific understanding of the physical world, including string theory and quantum mechanics. Physical laws follow many of the same principles as Eastern philosophies, such as regarding the universe as a circulating system of energy created by electromagnetic force (Yin and Yang) and repeating cycles of creation and extinction within the universe. These coexisting ideas now underpin his artistic practice. The majority of the works in the series Chaos, Cosmos and Circulation are formed by positioning ball bearings on a sheet of linen covered in either a mixture of steel filings and glue or epoxy and pigment and then rotating magnets behind. This results in a pattern of concentric circles that resembles many phenomena found in nature, such as the pattern formed when a raindrop hits water. Here, Yun alludes to repetition, cyclical systems and ultimate harmony. Other works also contain circular, repeating forms and use magnetic force to create dynamic surfaces. The universe can appear chaotic, but at times order or predictability emerge, revealing underlying principles of circulation, cycle and repetition, such cycles observed in nature include the changing of the seasons or the planets orbiting the sun. The key to reconciling the paradox of the coexistence of chaos and cosmos is to understand that we are looking at both with a human understanding. Chaos, to us, is that which humans cannot understand. The cosmos or order is something that we can comprehend as forming cycles. The difference lies in our understanding and is not intrinsic to the phenomena. There is a balance. Critic Young-Sang Hong observes in Yun’s work, the “visually balanced harmony of the chaos and the cosmos”.
(left) Chaos, Cosmos, Circulation 01-13, 2014. Iron powder, wood glue on canvas, 100 x 100cm.
Sungfeel Yun completed his MFA in Sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art in 2013 following his completion of an Art Practice BA from Goldsmiths, University of London. He now lives and works in both London and Seoul. Sungfeel has been awarded the Broomhill National Sculpture Prize, Special Commendation, North Devon, E.K. in 2013, alongside having been included in the 2013 New Sensation 50 Long List by the Saatchi Gallery and within the top 40 artists selected for the Catlin Guide 2014. His solo exhibitions include Chaos, Cosmos and Circulation at Pyo Gallery, Seoul (2012), Looking at The real world from within The real world, Zaha Museum, Seoul (2012), and an exhibition with the same name at sketch, London (2014). He has also participated in a number of group exhibitions including the 2013 Broomhill National Sculpture Prize, North Devon, UK and 4482 Map Korea, Barge House, London (2012). A selection of Sungfeel’s works can be found on permanent display at Hanmi Gallery London.
Left: Looking at The real world from within The real world 19, 2014. Urethane on stainless steel, magnets, motor, action sensor and liquid magnet. 110 x 110 x 20cm.
London 30 Maple Street London W1T 6HA United Kingdom T +44(0)207 436 9717 F +44(0)208 286 8976 info@hanmigallery.co.uk
Seoul 608-12, Sinsadong, Gangnamgu, Seoul, South Korea M +82 01089284667
Image credit by Hanmi Gallery