A page out of Leonardo da Vinci’s book
To the layman, the name of Leonardo da Vinci may call to mind simply those paintings for which he is most famous ― the ``Mona Lisa’’ and ``The Last Supper.’’ However, the multi-disciplined Italian was more than an artist: He was a scientist, philosopher and, above all, an observer.
``Observing Like Leonardo da Vinci’’ at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in central Seoul brings together the work of 12 artists who have each been inspired by the concept of scientific observation, a trademark of the famous Renaissance painter. Finding the art in accidental happenstance, the images of language and the element of surprise in discovery, 50 works explore the world through a new lens.
At its best, the showcase of domestic talent portrays a quirky and innovative approach to beauty, at once personal and universal. A series of works by noted artist Kim Mi-hyung feature the fallen leaves of trees, as well as the wings of dead insects ― all gathered by Kim herself.
``The artist is in the habit of walking with her head down, constantly looking at the ground,’’ said Kang Jae-hyun, chief curator at the gallery, which is how Kim manages to find such a variety of materials. On display are delicate bridal figures and fantastical images of small, pixie-like humans with borrowed wings from moths and other bugs.
Artist Koh San-keum recreates wordless representations of poetry and newspapers with his work, stripped of definition and detail. The text-based artist, who once suffered from near blindness, uses pearls and steel balls in place of words, revealing that beauty is not just in meaning, but the concept of language itself.
On the more illusory side of the exhibition, some of the works can be seen clearly through their ``deceiving’’ veils ― a close-up of crushed red pepper attempts to lead viewers into thinking they are seeing a desert, although the ironic element of placing small ceramic ducks on the dunes falls short of completing the look. However, a painting by Kim Jae-hong, depicting a seeming landscape, will have visitors staring in puzzlement until they can find the figure hidden within (Hint: Do not fall into the convention of looking at the piece straight on).
Other intricate works such as ``Dreamer’’ by Ham Youn-joo will seem breathtakingly elaborate and idyllic from a distance. But close the gap between eye and art and one will come to the gross, surprising realization that the strings glittering with epoxy from afar are ― indeed, the artist’s own ― thousands of strands of hair.
Da Vinci may have been one for reaching scientific and artistic epiphanies through observation but this exhibition is one for closing the space between all boundaries: man and nature, illusion and truth, personal and universal.
``Observing Like Leonardo da Vinci’’ is on display through Aug. 29 at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, located near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. The exhibition is also the first at Savina to employ the use of Quick-Response Codes (QR Codes). The small squares can be scanned and read by smart-phones, which lead the user to a link with information about the artist. Although the exhibition features QR Codes for five of the artists, the museum plans to integrate the technology in future shows. For more information, visit www.savinamuseum.com.
``Observing Like Leonardo da Vinci’’ at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in central Seoul brings together the work of 12 artists who have each been inspired by the concept of scientific observation, a trademark of the famous Renaissance painter. Finding the art in accidental happenstance, the images of language and the element of surprise in discovery, 50 works explore the world through a new lens.
At its best, the showcase of domestic talent portrays a quirky and innovative approach to beauty, at once personal and universal. A series of works by noted artist Kim Mi-hyung feature the fallen leaves of trees, as well as the wings of dead insects ― all gathered by Kim herself.
``The artist is in the habit of walking with her head down, constantly looking at the ground,’’ said Kang Jae-hyun, chief curator at the gallery, which is how Kim manages to find such a variety of materials. On display are delicate bridal figures and fantastical images of small, pixie-like humans with borrowed wings from moths and other bugs.
Artist Koh San-keum recreates wordless representations of poetry and newspapers with his work, stripped of definition and detail. The text-based artist, who once suffered from near blindness, uses pearls and steel balls in place of words, revealing that beauty is not just in meaning, but the concept of language itself.
On the more illusory side of the exhibition, some of the works can be seen clearly through their ``deceiving’’ veils ― a close-up of crushed red pepper attempts to lead viewers into thinking they are seeing a desert, although the ironic element of placing small ceramic ducks on the dunes falls short of completing the look. However, a painting by Kim Jae-hong, depicting a seeming landscape, will have visitors staring in puzzlement until they can find the figure hidden within (Hint: Do not fall into the convention of looking at the piece straight on).
Other intricate works such as ``Dreamer’’ by Ham Youn-joo will seem breathtakingly elaborate and idyllic from a distance. But close the gap between eye and art and one will come to the gross, surprising realization that the strings glittering with epoxy from afar are ― indeed, the artist’s own ― thousands of strands of hair.
Da Vinci may have been one for reaching scientific and artistic epiphanies through observation but this exhibition is one for closing the space between all boundaries: man and nature, illusion and truth, personal and universal.
``Observing Like Leonardo da Vinci’’ is on display through Aug. 29 at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art, located near exit 1 of Anguk Station, subway line 3. The exhibition is also the first at Savina to employ the use of Quick-Response Codes (QR Codes). The small squares can be scanned and read by smart-phones, which lead the user to a link with information about the artist. Although the exhibition features QR Codes for five of the artists, the museum plans to integrate the technology in future shows. For more information, visit www.savinamuseum.com.
