Korean artist Ran Hwang interweaves notions of timelessness and transience. Here she likens the Joseon dynasty to a wedding ceremony, as both can be thought to connote the zenith of brilliance and splendour. Both the traditional Korean dress – hanbok – and the image of the moon between the couple are typical of wedding ceremonies of common people in the late-Joseon period. A pair of phoenixes reinforces the theme of everlasting love. White peppers hang at the back, a Confucian custom associated with the desire for male offspring. The music, performed with instruments of the Joseon period, amplifies the magnificence of Joseon legacies.
The transitory quality of the installation is meant to contrast with the enduring Joseon dynasty. Images are revealed then obscured, colours appear then give way to monochrome. These contrasts are echoed in Hwang’s choice of materials and techniques. The glass panels recall the fragility of life, while the beads, buttons, and pins hammered into the backdrop demonstrate exactitude and vigour.
Hwang’s work has largely been inspired by Zen Buddhism, and this is reflected in the laborious and repetitive nature of her craft. Casting shadows, the movements of visitors contribute to the transient forces inherent in this work, momentarily eclipsing the video images while infusing new rhythms.
Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, Learning Gallery, Level 1
Free admission for all visitors
When: 22 Apr - 23 Jul 2017,
By: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)