Conceptual images at new art space

From classic-looking plastic targets to cute graphic signs indicating staircases in airports, the displays at the Insa Art Space serve the purposes of both utility and decoration.
“They are the work of young, up and coming designers we invited,” said Kim Hee-jin, curator of the “Frame Builders” exhibition at the Insa Art Space, a non-profit art institution run by the Arts Council Korea.
As part of an event to commemorate the move of the Insa Art Space to Wonseo-dong in Jongno, the art institution has opened an exhibition that features work in the fields of exhibition space, Web and interior design.
“It would be more suitable to call these designers ‘conceptual image producers’ because they try to explore ways they can make their work useful to the public,” said Ms. Kim.
The institution invited Vuk Cosic, a theorist and artist based in Slovenia; Skart, a two-man group from Serbia and Montenegro, and M/M, or Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak, from France.
Korean contemporary artists, Sulki & Min, who are known for using charts and diagrams in their designs, and Choi Jeong-hwa, famous for enormous plastic models of food, flowers and animals, also have their work in the exhibition.
“The artists we chose all have strong characteristics and are very distinguished,” said Beck Jee-sook, project director of Insa Art Space. She added that M/M worked as creative consultants for “Vogue Paris” and for the Centre Georges Pompidou reopening in 2000.
M/M will speak at the University of Seoul tonight at 7 p.m. and Choi Jeong-hwa will speak at the Insa Art Space on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

by Lee Min-a

“Frame Builders” is currently at the new Insa Art Space in Jongno. From Anguk station on line No. 3, exit 3, it is a 10-minute walk along the walls of Changdeok palace. For more information, call (02)760-4721 or visit www.insaartspace.or.kr.