Place¡¯s Shadow and Discovery

We exist in various spaces and live in the present. We cannot separate the real ¡®us¡¯ and space. When space, an abstract concept, is given regional characteristics and populated with concrete objects, a unique significance is created and the space becomes a place.

LEE Sunju recognises this significance of place. Lee collected photos of shadows of obscure shapes from real spaces and listens carefully to their story. Using the layering technique, time and space is accumulated into the picture. Lee uses the various shadows, filled with stories, as a medium to draw space, providing new value to the place. The title of the exhibition, ¡®a Practiced Place¡¯,demonstrates how humans and space meet and create a place ? in other words, places exist through one¡¯s experiences.

Lee uses the word ¡®place¡¯to differentiate from ¡®space.¡¯ Along with the recognition of one¡¯s existence, a place is also a space where one¡¯s body is present. Usually, these experiences come in series, and time becomes an important element. When Lee was capturing the images of these selected spaces, shedid not only capture the accumulated time and experiences of daily lives, but also the momentary effect of light and shadow. Beyond the typical 3-dimensional space, using the term ¡®place,¡¯ it becomes an event when both the subject and time exist in the same space. Therefore, Lee draws a significant connection between light, shadow and colour, elements which exist between objects in one place ? shadow being of particular significance, as it is evidence of a false image or existence. In addition, personal thoughts can be included, as they linger in space therefore, they are an ideal representation of place.

Layer refers to the many filmsthat covers the surface or sections that comprise a system. With the ubiquityof computers and the rapid growth of various media channels, we are exposed to layers in our daily lives. The transparency that the concept of layer brings is an important factor in Lee¡¯s work. In real life, shadows are black and white, but when transparency sets in, it gives colour to the shadows. Furthermore, shadow is formed by light, thus morphinginto various images. Although shadows are laid upon one another, they do not cover the image completely; rather, one can see vaguely all the images, illustrating a process of bonding between opaqueness and transparency. The bonding with colour and surface brings more depth into space it constantly appears and disappears, and transforms into an ever-changing fluid space. The 2-dimensional drawing expands into an infinite space through fourlayers and the overlapping lines and surfaces. These reiterated shadows are incomplete and ambiguous images. However, with active interpretation from the audience, it transforms into a meaningful place. By avoiding the art of portraying objects or scenes in perspective, it encourages the audience to view the image from different directions and angles, thereby discovering the changing images. Lee wishes to find a new meaning of place from this process of constructing colourful shadow images.

A place is also a space where the real ¡®you¡¯ exists. One understands space through the five senses and, by developing affinity, the meaning of place is defined. By using indirect elements (light, shadow, and colour), the work expresses place as an art form metaphorically. Finally,by adding the new concept ¡®layer,¡¯ it pushes the limit of 2-dimensional art by challengingthe 3-dimensional structure. The overlapping shadows created by each layer are the perspective of the artist and it is exalted to the dignity of an art from. Through constantly changing images, it allows the audience to draw their own interpretation of the image from a socio-cultural point of view ? thus, we can consider it truly modern.