Photo By Cody Torgersrud
The juxtaposition of new and old. As I sit in the courtyard of Shields Library it strikes me how much this pleases me. The bold glass facade softly reflects the mid-day light which is further dappled by the majestic oak that seem to block out the sky like a great sheer umbrella. The contrast of modern architecture and ancient tree is one of mutual flattery. This is ever apparent in the pieces that comprise the gallery exhibition at the design museum on campus.
“Typograpic Expolration in Hangul” is an exhibition of the work of Hyunjn Lee and Phil Choo. Based completely on the form and structure of the Hangul language, the language of Korea, this work combines the ancient forms of writing with modern style, technique and application. The pieces are mostly printed by machine on varying types of paper, ranging from beautifully clean archival sheets to rough handmade versions. All which have been printed with razor sharp precision. Beside the technical aspects of the show the content mirrors this idea. The classic folk songs and poems of the Korean people are displayed in pixilated photoshopped form, bringing the whole idea back to its core.
Despite being a look at beauty of a language and the skills of the artists this touches something deeper. The battle between new and old. This balance is one of ascetics and ethics. The strive for modernity is present everywhere, but what sense of soul or spirituality is present in aluminum and glass, where is the human essence if not for flaw. At the same time where is the cutting edge in the branches of a tree. This dichotomy is more so true for countries like Korea who in the race to the future are facing the decision between past and present. How do we stay current and remain tied to our roots?
I ponder this while sitting under a tree, which is in all likelihood may times older than me, surrounded by walls of glass and stucco, typing my thoughts on a piece of machinery that not half a century ago would have been unthinkable. This is what we must deal with as humans striking new marks while keeping an eye on the past. We create with what we have, we design with our history, and we must keep the balance present. We cannot lose our roots for they are all that is keeping us put.
“Typograpic Expolration in Hangul” is an exhibition of the work of Hyunjn Lee and Phil Choo. Based completely on the form and structure of the Hangul language, the language of Korea, this work combines the ancient forms of writing with modern style, technique and application. The pieces are mostly printed by machine on varying types of paper, ranging from beautifully clean archival sheets to rough handmade versions. All which have been printed with razor sharp precision. Beside the technical aspects of the show the content mirrors this idea. The classic folk songs and poems of the Korean people are displayed in pixilated photoshopped form, bringing the whole idea back to its core.
Despite being a look at beauty of a language and the skills of the artists this touches something deeper. The battle between new and old. This balance is one of ascetics and ethics. The strive for modernity is present everywhere, but what sense of soul or spirituality is present in aluminum and glass, where is the human essence if not for flaw. At the same time where is the cutting edge in the branches of a tree. This dichotomy is more so true for countries like Korea who in the race to the future are facing the decision between past and present. How do we stay current and remain tied to our roots?
I ponder this while sitting under a tree, which is in all likelihood may times older than me, surrounded by walls of glass and stucco, typing my thoughts on a piece of machinery that not half a century ago would have been unthinkable. This is what we must deal with as humans striking new marks while keeping an eye on the past. We create with what we have, we design with our history, and we must keep the balance present. We cannot lose our roots for they are all that is keeping us put.
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