Artist: Hye Won Lee

Overview:

This work of art exists only in concept however, it does exist. It is real, and takes up space in the mind just as any tangible work would consume physical space. This work displaces painting from a certain aspect in fine art discourse which is, the notion of a painting as a physical, saleable commodity, and surrounding notions of value as ascribed to painting through traditional modes of evaluation. Although in one sense, this work breaks from tradition, in another it is just as conventional as any regular painting. It is visible (in the mind), and openly pliable to personal interpretation. It draws on the lived experience of an individual to shape their experience of the work: the course of the mind’s exploration, touching, feeling and lingering on it, pulling from reserves of emotion, memory and thought to collaborate with the artist in fabricating a unique and individual encounter.

The purpose of this conceptual piece is to highlight and explore in an inverted manner, the personal experience of an individual which is gained through an encounter with a work of visual art. Here, that which customarily takes place within the mind (the personalised interpretation and experience of the spectator) is given physical expression, and that which usually finds residence in physical space (the artist’s work) becomes intangible.

Instructions for spectators:

Read or listen to the description of the work, as given by the artist, and carefully experience the work as it occurs within your mind. Remember to linger on the work, really allow your mind to explore it fully. Give physical, visual expression to your encounter with the work. You may interpret your experience however you like

Description of artwork: 

(Note: This is a description of the work, though not perhaps in the most conventional sense. The description was created this way so as to allow the spectator more creative freedom.) 

A gentle breeze, on its way home, brushes across the top of my (right) ear as I walk, step, by step, by step, towards a clearing. There’s a rustling, far off in the distance. I stop to listen, and take in the sun, which is warm and gentle on my skin, and the sound of children, somewhere, far off, running and laughing. And there, the sound of rustling.  It’s closer than I thought. Actually, It’s both close and far, there’s rustling all around, in the wake of the wind as it glides by- and I’m walking again, towards the clearing, step, by step, by step, until I’m standing in the middle of it. 

The air is sweeter here, I breathe it in, it’s clear and crisp. There’s something about this space. The breeze is gentle, slightly cool. I breathe it in, and I feel grounded. Something that feels almost like a force field, expands out, all around me, what is it? I inhale, exhale, inhale, and as I exhale again, all the tension seems to seep out and away. All the details fade, and life feels simple again as I look out, over the clearing, breathing the sweet air and enjoying the breeze, cool, as it passes by. I’ll need to go back; the sun is setting but, just another moment to take it all in, before I go back.

To linger is to evoke, which is to experience, which is to create.

HyeWon Lee

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