Take a deep breath and relax at Coco Capitan exhibit
“Is It Tomorrow Yet?” is the title of an exhibition now being held at the Daelim Museum in central Seoul which will run until Jan. 27 next year. On display are some 150 works of various mediums, including her collaboration with luxury brand Gucci, which brought her immense popularity last year.
“Many people, including myself, spend time worrying about things that have not happened,” said Capitan to local press at the opening day of the exhibition on Aug. 1. “‘Before I die, I want to live.’ It’s just as simple as that. I am going to die one day, and it is not necessarily a negative thing. I will enjoy time with people I love and do as much as I can do while I live. It is really important to be aware of the finitude of life and I tried to create reminders to myself.”
Her photographs, which look like editorials from fashion magazines, similarly capture moments of everyday life but pass by without thinking too deeply. Capitan, who studied photography in graduate school, focuses on people instead of objects, which is the case for many fashion and commercial photographs, according to curator Lee Jung-yeol of the Daelim Museum.
“Her photographs carry the subtle changes we get in our lives, almost like a second puberty,” said Lee. “Her works show the emotions of the people that she shoots, and the thoughts she has while photographing them. People in their 20s worry about things and live with anxiety. Rather than giving them an answer to their questions, Capitan captures those worries and says, ‘It’s okay.’”
The highlight of the exhibition is placed at the end, on the fourth floor of the museum. The space has been turned into a swimming pool without any water, with photographs of members of the Spanish Olympic synchronized swimming team before and during their practice sessions. “Here, you feel a sense of relaxation, and get the energy to live tomorrow,” explained curator Lee.
Tickets cost 8,000 won ($7.16) for adults. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get off at Gyeongbokgung Station, line No. 3, exit 3, and walk five minutes. For more information, visit www.daelimmuseum.org.
BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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