Hong Sungchul's First Solo Exhibition 'Solid but Fluid'
Jointly Organized by Prain Global and Movement Lab
At Movement Lab Hannam-dong Until September 7
A man rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt and places his hands on his waist. From a distance, his figure appears clear and distinct, but as you approach, the image unravels. The silhouette is certainly anchored on a solid structure, yet the closer you get, the more it seems to tremble and waver before your eyes.
Artist Hong Sungcheol is standing and posing for a photo with his work 'String_mirror_0942' (2022). Photo by Prain Global
Contemporary artist Hong Sungchul's first solo exhibition, 'Solid but Fluid,' is being held at Movement Lab, a living edit shop and exhibition space in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Hong's works are created by connecting hundreds of elastic cords or hexagonal bolts between metal frames and then transferring images onto them one by one. Depending on the viewing angle, the clarity of the image changes, repeatedly overlapping and deconstructing.
According to Hong, each piece takes at least two months to produce, and sometimes up to six months. He first takes hundreds of photographs, which are then transferred onto hundreds or even thousands of cords. The appearance of the work changes depending on the distance and angle, and this delicate process is what takes the most time. Hong explained, "It's a combination of wanting to keep the viewer engaged for as long as possible and wanting to communicate with the work physically," adding, "My works are meant to be experienced with the body. I hope viewers pay attention to how the work changes depending on distance, angle, and movement."
After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Hongik University and earning his master's degree at the California Institute of the Arts in the United States, Hong has been active in Korea, Europe, and the United States. Around the time he was studying abroad, video art was gaining popularity in the United States, and its ability to keep viewers engaged for extended periods fascinated him. In his early career, he presented interactive works where a hand in a video would play rock-paper-scissors according to the volume of sound, but after various experiences and changes, he arrived at his current installation practice.
His most notable work is the large-scale 'Bill Bowerman Installation,' which was installed at Nike’s headquarters in Oregon, United States, from 2018 to 2020. The piece features 8,290 custom elastic cords with actual Nike shoelace tips attached, dynamically depicting an image of Bill Bowerman, Nike's co-founder. The work has been praised for its craftsmanship and innovative approach.
Similarly, this exhibition utilizes elastic cords and features a total of 16 works displayed across Basement Level 2 and the third floor of Movement Lab Hannam. A distinctive aspect of this exhibition is the collaboration with Movement Lab, which has arranged various pieces of furniture throughout the gallery space. A representative from Movement Lab explained, "We selected furniture that matched the atmosphere of the works to create a comfortable environment," adding, "We aimed to provide a diverse sensory experience where art and lifestyle harmoniously blend."
This exhibition also marks the starting point for Prain Global, a domestic PR company, as it makes a full-fledged entry into the art and exhibition sector. Kim Pyeonggi, CEO of Prain Global and curator of the exhibition, stated, "Our specialty is communicating things well to others, and based on the know-how we've accumulated in music, sports, and entertainment, we are taking on a new challenge," adding, "We plan to present exhibitions that focus on people and stories moving forward." The exhibition runs through September 7.
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