Yong Uk Kim Portfolio
CONTENTS REINCARNATION, PERPETUATION Recycled plaza Object faces
SELF REFLECTION & DISCOVERY Reinvention, Reinterpretation of Self: I Cultural duality Reinvention, Reinterpretation of Self: II
FLUIDITY OF LANDSCAPE Pegasus Divergent flow Recreation of a landscape Moving landscape
EXTRA WORKS Gwangjang market Ink markings and monoprint Figure drawings Sketches
Reincarnation, Perpetuation
REINCARNATION, PERPETUATION
RECYCLED PLAZA
Inspired by the concept of preservation and reutilization of materials found in a site to be redeveloped, I imagined a plaza built upon a site which previously housed a historically significant structure.The materials and traces of the previous structure would be recycled and reused as materials for the creation of the plaza. Peter Latz’s Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord was the inspiration for this work. His successful preservation of parts of an industrial plant and their integration into the park reminds users of the history of the site, and gives new meaning to restoration and rehabilitation.
Islamic patterns Personal work 2012 Mixed media 60 x 60 x 6 cm
Reincarnation, Perpetuation
01
Floor tiles
Wood & brick
electrical wires Pattern derivation 2012 Pencil and pen 15 x 15 cm
Live moss & SAND Pattern sequence 2012 AutoCAD/Illustrator
Solidarity and unity exist in the design due to the pattern derived from straight lines connecting the intersections of multiple overlapping circles.
Glass shards
Metal wires
Reincarnation, Perpetuation
02
Rendering of the plaza in an urban setting
Islamic patterns give a sense of order and control in contrast to the myriad of different materials that are used. Repetition of orderly geometric shapes impart timelessness into the design. Plaza rendering 2012 AutoCAD / Illustrator / Photoshop
Reincarnation, Perpetuation
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Object Faces, Personal work, 2012, Charcoal on paper, 90 x 180 cm
KEY Earphone jack Fire extinguisher Plastic chair Pliers Master lock USB Shovel Scissors Mini USB
Soda can tab Ethernet cable Watch Corkscrew Lighter Screwdriver Power plug Belt Mouse
Nail clippers Remote iPod charger Pepper shaker Headphones Spray bottle Iron Master lock Pliers
REINCARNATION, PERPETUATION
OBJECT FACES
At first glance, the images evoke human-like faces. The components are common objects seen on a daily basis, but they are shown in views that although accurate, are not their typical depictions. They stir up a sense of familiarity though it is tricky to pinpoint their identity. Together these items make up another familiar yet vague, hazy result that leaves room for interpretation. Even the most commonplace objects, themes, and ideas have an infinite number of ways for interpretation and reformation. Everything novel and innovative has a source upon which it is derived from, and they are discovered by attempts at remodelling, rearranging, and analyzing in a plethora of methods.
While looking for interesting angles to draw a pair of pliers I noticed that at some angles, the pliers could be unrecognizable. Objects, without having prior knowledge of their identity, can present themselves in unfamiliar and unrecognizable ways.
Pliers 2012 Charcoal on paper 180 x 120 cm *Larger version in ‘Extra Works’
Reincarnation, Perpetuation
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Self ReflectioN & Discovery
SELF REFLECTION & DISCOVERY
REINVENTION, REINTERPRETATION OF SELF: I Bowling pins have no individual characteristics but each contributes to the formation as a whole. Despite being knocked down countless numbers of times, they withstand the collision and are endlessly replaced in a brand new formation. Ten plaster molds of my head in place of the bowling pins show this resilience and persistence through an image of myself. The heads stand out like a sore thumb among the uniformity of the bowling pins. It seems as if they are struggling to fit in but fail to blend in. Having a different thought process and a unique style of creativity has always left me feeling different from others around me. Learning that this difference could be an advantage, I harnessed my individuality and distinct characteristics to develop my creative mind.
Self Portrait Personal work 2012 Plaster 28 x 17 cm each
Self Reflection & Discovery
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Idea sketches 2012 Pencil 25 x 15 cm
Self Reflection & Discovery
06
Criticism of mass production and factorization The heads are a symbol of resistance and rebellion against the diminishing of individualism. With the continued development of automation and a highly systematic form of society, the preservation of individualism is now something that must be fought for.
Self Reflection & Discovery
07
SELF REFLECTION & DISCOVERY
CULTURAL DUALITY
A smooth intermingling but distinctly separate influence of cultural duality on my creative development is depicted by this series. I expressed my idea through the style of Gregory Euclide’s sumi ink paintings. The black swirls encompass and link the various elements that I regard as significant in my memory. Ink and acrylic paint drip down the painting in various shades and mix when they meet, signifying an intermingling and fusing of my memories.
The black swirl evokes the yin and yang symbol. I hoped to show the interaction of complementary forces - the balance of old memories becoming obscured by haze over time - to form one united dynamic system.
Cultural duality Personal work 2012 Acrylic and ink on paper 47 x 65 cm
Self Reflection & Discovery
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The black wave is reminiscent of the Mรถbius strip, which symbolizes balance and unity. It is meant to show the continuous addition and circulation of pieces of my memories.
Cultural duality II Personal work 2012 Acrylic and ink on paper 47 x 65 cm
Self Reflection & Discovery
09
SELF REFLECTION & DISCOVERY
REINVENTION, REINTERPRETATION OF SELF: II
Location: Inwang mountain Gi-cha rock formation 1109.6 feet above sea level
Self Portrait Personal work 2012 Plaster 28 x 17 cm each
Self Reflection & Discovery
10
Both literally and metaphorically, I wanted to depict myself making my way to the top. Much like a centipede with its multiple sets of legs enabling a stable, wave-like movement, I arranged the plaster heads along the peak of Inwang mountain to insinuate a slow and careful climb. Each head is like each segment in the centipede body; each one is crucial, and each contributes to the body as a whole. Early
morning
hikes
give
me
the
opportunity to meditate, organize my thoughts, and self-reflect in peace and solitude.
Self Reflection & Discovery
11
Fluidity of Landscape
FLUIDITY OF LANDSCAPE
PEGASUS
Pegasus, born of sea foam and Medusa’s blood, is one of the most notable creatures of Greek mythology. As a winged horse it is mystical and beautiful, and yet as the transporter of Zeus’s thunderbolts it is also intimidating and threatening.
The beauty and potential danger of the brilliant yet sharp pieces of aluminum cans are similar to duality of the nature of Pegasus.
Pegasus Personal work 2012 Aluminum can and wire 80 x 40 x 60 cm
Fluidity of Landscape
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Where its hoof strikes the ground, a spring of water arises. As the provider for the source of life and a powerful force in formation of landscapes, it is a symbol of vitality. Idea sketches, 2012 Pencil and pen, 45 x 65 cm
Undulating lines and overturning of water represent the forceful flow, similar to the expression of water in Da Vinci’s The Deluge.
Fluidity of Landscape
13
FLUIDITY OF LANDSCAPE
DIVERGENT FLOW
Inspired by Antoni Gaudi’s string model that gave rise to La Sagrada Familia, I experimented with continuous, distributed weights that varied along the lines rather than having intermittent weighted points. The result is an organic form, reminiscent of a rib cage and ridges on a sea shell.
Divergent flow Personal work 2012 Silicone, foam board 50 x 45 cm
Fluidity of Landscape
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Each silicone strip gradually increases in thickness from one end to the other. The strips’ directions are arranged in alternation for a symmetrical weight distribution.
To combine the effects of decreasing tension and increasing “hanging” due to gravity, I placed the two ends of the strips at a 90 degree angle. The resulting formation shows a transition from the center of mass being at one point, to two points.
In fluids, this change in form resembles the transition from laminar to turbulent flow with the formation of eddies.
Fluidity of Landscape
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An inverse form of the curves is created by pouring plaster onto the silicone strips. Foamex strips that outline the curvature accentuate the change in peaks and slopes of the curves. As they extend past the boundaries, they form a mirror image. Gravitational influence on the form is evidenced by the top plaster portion of the sculpture, whereas tensional influence is displayed by the bottom foamex portion. While the silicone model is a combination of tension and gravity, this sculpture divides the two factors and is a separate presentation of each.
Comparison of the silicone and plaster models
Divergent flow extended 2012 Foamex, plaster 50 x 45 x 70 cm
Fluidity of Landscape
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Recreation of a landscape, Personal work, 2012, clay and sand, 60 x 60 x 20 cm
FLUIDITY OF LANDSCAPE
RECREATION OF A LANDSCAPE
Being in the center of a colossal land formation can leave a person in awe, give opportunities for self reflection, and render human problems and insecurities insignificant and meaningless.
Fluidity of Landscape
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Test models & Process
Test models on a smaller scale with varying sand : clay ratios. The mixture ratio was crucial in creating a form that was solid enough to maintain its structure while eroding and giving way to the streams of water.
A successful landscape is one that evolves over time due to the influence of the users. I wanted to represent the movement of people physically affecting a landscape, and the landscape changing accordingly to accommodate the movement.
Time lapse of the process
Clay and sand were mixed and placed in a mold to set and harden. Water was poured from two points continuously using a water pump.
Fluidity of Landscape
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I wanted to artificially recreate the formation of valleys, gorges, and canyons to create a space that, in the form of imprints and curves, harnesses the power of the forces that create these land forms. Light painting on the sand formation emphasizes the curves, edges, and slopes as evidence of the erosion caused by the water flow.
Fluidity of Landscape
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Moving landscape, Personal work, 2012, foam board, acrylic rods, artificial grass, 70 x 50 cm
FLUIDITY OF LANDSCAPE
MOVING LANDSCAPE I envisioned a dynamic landscape capable of undergoing constant change in form in order for it to be an active space far from being stagnant and having a sense of timelessness. Buildings embedded into the landscape are able to move in coordination with the land sectors or independently.
Environmental sustainability is a priority of mine, and I designed this landscape to enable conservation of resources. By harnessing the power of water, a combination of buoyancy and hydraulic pressure would allow vertical movement of each land sector. The underground portion
would serve as a rainwater storage tank that collects run off storm water which powers the elevation of the land sectors. Furthermore, energy efficiency can be pursued by adjusting the height of buildings when in need of natural light, or insulation from heat or cold.
Fluidity of Landscape
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Water surface rendering 2012 Illustrator
The pattern is derived from caustics: geometrical entities formed by the singular concentration of light waves by the water surface that acts as lenses to focus light rays. The organic origin of Caustics rendering 2012 Illustrator
caustics go hand in hand with the seemingly fluid motion of the undulating land masses.
Close up view of the structure below.
Fluidity of Landscape
21
Profile views of four variants of the landscape formation.
Fluidity of Landscape
22
Extra Works
EXTRA WORKS
GWANGJANG MARKET Gwangjang market is home to hundreds of vendors selling everything from household items to fresh produce and nostalgic street food from the earlier generations. Unlike the busy and hectic appearance on the ground level, the architecture of the market roof has an air of grandeur that makes it seem like an international airport. One cannot fail to notice the distinct toilet sign at the center of the market that serves as a gigantic reminder of the basic needs of people in spite of the fact that it hangs tastelessly right above the plentiful food being cooked. I went to the market on a lazy weekend for some hearty food but I left having learned a significant fact that it is critical for a place where people come to gather and interact must cater to all their basic needs while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
3-D toilet sign draws attention
Gwangjang market, Personal work, 2012, acrylic and cardboard on canvas, 60 x 70 cm
Extra Works
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Road to Granada Personal work 2012 Ink 55 x 90 cm
EXTRA WORKS
INK MARKINGS & MONOPRINT
Collisions Personal work 2012 Ink 50 x 65 cm
Extra Works
24
EXTRA WORKS
FIGURE DRAWINGS Movement, Personal work, 2012, charcoal, 76 x 52 cm
Rest, Personal work, 2012, charcoal, 76 x 52 cm
Nude, Personal work, 2012, charcoal, 76 x 52 cm
Safety, Personal work, 2012, charcoal, 76 x 52 cm
Sitting nude, Personal work, 2012, charcoal, 76 x 52 cm
Extra Works
25
EXTRA WORKS
SKETCHES
Skeleton still life Personal work 2008 Pencil 50 x 59 cm
Extra Works
26
Horns Personal work 2012 Charcoal 76 x 52 cm
Blankets Personal work 2008 Pencil 50 x 59 cm
Extra Works
27
Hand Personal work 2012 Charcoal 76 x 52 cm
Skull Personal work 2012 Pencil 52 x 38 cm
Pliers Personal work 2012 Charcoal on paper 180 x 120 cm
Extra Works
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