Humanistic reminders of the purpose of life
Published: 29 Oct. 2008, 21:15
The installation “Walking to the Sky”in front of Rockefeller Center in New York in 2004. Provided by the organizer
Take Seoul, for example. When you walk past the Heungkuk Life Insurance building in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, you cannot miss the big black “Hammering Man.”
The 22-meter (72.2-feet) stainless steel installation is the work of American artist Jonathan Borofsky, 66.
The mechanical man moves his arms up and down, hammer in hand, gazing down at the busy passersby, a symbol of the solitude of modern-day workers, according to Borofsky.
The installation “Five Hammering Men” at the Documenta in Kassel, Germany,
Borofsky is once again in Korea for a solo exhibition, which opens tomorrow at the Pyo Gallery Seoul in Itaewon-dong, central Seoul.
As part of the exhibition, the artist yesterday installed “Walking to the Sky” in front of the Kiturami Boiler’s head office in Hwagok-dong, western Seoul.
The artwork is more than simply a tall stainless steel structure that stretches to the sky.
The solitary people walking skyward - all different ages, race and gender - are a challenging reminder to people to constantly think about who they are, what they are doing and to keep their dreams for the future, according to Pyo Gallery.
The indoor display at Pyo Gallery also includes works that touch upon humanism.
Borofsky’s latest collection of “Human Structures,” which was also exhibited in Beijing for three months before and after the Olympics, are a series of connected semi-transparent, life-sized human modules.
Compared to his previous gray-tone and monochromatic works, this series is brighter and cheery.
“It is a reminder that humans are dependent and that they are connected,” said Park So-min from Pyo Gallery.
“Borofsky’s large-scale works focus more on the entire space and less on individual objects.”
Over 35 large-scale artworks by Borofsky have been installed in various parts of the world.
The aluminum “Molecule Man” stands on the Spree River in Berlin, Germany, and the colorful “People Tower” is at the Beijing Olympic Park in Beijing.
Borofsky’s solo exhibition runs until Dec. 31.
To reach Pyo Gallery Seoul in Itaewon-dong, go to Noksapyeong Station, line No. 6, exit 1 or Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2 and take a bus to the Hyatt Hotel.
For more information, call (02) 543-7337 or visit www.pyoart.com.
By Lee Eun-joo Staff Reporter [angie@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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