‘When we are young we see the present through the window of the future, but when we become old we see the present through the memories of the past,’ mused Korean artist Ik-Joong Kang ahead of the opening of his first major UK commission. It’s a poignant reflection of his Floating Dreams installation launching today on London’s River Thames: an illuminated, cubed structure that reflects on the painful history shared by North and South Korea.
Born in Cheongju and raised in Seoul, Kang has long championed the reunification of the two Koreas through his art. Now based in New York, Kang returned to his native South Korea to gather some 500 drawings by individuals displaced by the Korean War over 66 years ago for this artwork, commissioned especially for this year’s Totally Thames festival. ‘The project's subject is the displaced, but the bigger theme here is unification,’ says the artist.
A sculpture of a child holding a flashing light stands atop Floating Dreams, which Kang explains is symbolic of the memories his subjects – now in their 80s and 90s – were forced to reconcile in emotional sittings. Kang explains, ‘These elderly displaced people in Korea are earlier examples of refugees. I wanted to create a monument dedicated to the refugees all over the world, made by the people who were forced to leave their hometowns.’
His subjects were invited to recall their hometowns in the form of miniature illustrations – small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand – which were then transferred onto 26 sq inch sheets of hanji, a traditional Korean rice paper, for the final artwork. These small canvases form the backbone of Kang’s practice, and are often presented as mosaics, becoming increasingly vast and ambitious in scope.
Installed next to the Millennium Bridge, Kang’s latest artwork has found a serendipitous (if only temporary) home. Much like its river neighbour, Floating Dreams bridges the past with the future with stirring optimism.
Now based in New York, Kang returned to his native South Korea to compile 500 drawings by individuals displaced by the Korean War
A sculpture of a child holding a flashing light stands proud atop the artwork, which Kang explains is symbolic of the childhood memories his elderly subjects were forced to reconcile with
His subjects were invited to recall their hometowns with miniature illustrations, which were then transferred onto 26 sq inch sheets of hanji, a traditional Korean rice paper for the final artwork
INFORMATION
‘Floating Dreams’ is on view until 30 September. The project is supported by The Korea Foundation, Youngwoo & Associates, Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust and Ministry of Unification. For more information, visit the Totally Thames website
-
Last chance to see: Sharjah Biennial 15, ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’Built on the vision of late curator Okwui Enwezor, the Sharjah Biennial 15: ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ offers a critical reframing of postcolonial narratives through major new commissions
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
-
Birkenstock celebrates its most memorable styles with colourful capsule (and matching socks)
Birkenstock marks the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Gizeh, Arizona and Madrid sandals, respectively, with limited-edition versions
-
The best London art exhibitions: a guide for this weekend
Your guide to the best London art exhibitions this weekend, as chosen by the Wallpaper* arts desk
-
The art fair personality test: what type of Frieze New York visitor are you?
Are you a selfie seeker or a champagne visualist? Take our art fair personality test to identify yourself at Frieze New York 2023 (17-21 May)
-
Isaac Julien’s Tate retrospective: multi-screens, ‘sonic tapestries’ and moments of joy
Artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien’s Tate Britain retrospective ‘What Freedom Is to Me’ questions histories, explores activism, but is also full of joy and beauty
-
Got milk? New exhibition explores the dark side of dairy
‘Milk’, a new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection, London, explores the socio-political weight of milk through art and cultural artefacts
-
Steve McQueen to screen his harrowing film 'Grenfell' at London’s Serpentine
Acclaimed film director and artist Steve McQueen will screen his film, Grenfell, at London’s Serpentine South gallery (7 April-10 May 2023), six years after the Grenfell Tower block blaze killed 72
-
Ai Weiwei's largest-ever Lego artwork revealed at London’s Design Museum
At London’s Design Museum, Ai Weiwei has unveiled Water Lilies #1, a new Lego recreation of Claude Monet’s iconic painting. We explore the vast new work ahead of the Chinese artist’s major show at the museum, opening on 7 April 2023
-
Lynda Benglis’ seductive hall of mirrors and juicy neon eggs in London
American artist Lynda Benglis subverts expectations with new bronze sculptures and otherworldly coloured eggs in a new solo show at Thomas Dane Gallery, London
-
Remote Antarctica research base now houses a striking new art installation
In Antarctica, Kyiv-based architecture studio Balbek Bureau has unveiled ‘Home. Memories’, a poignant art installation at the remote, penguin-inhabited Vernadsky Research Base
