2012 Art Sonje Lounge Project #2: Jang-Oh Hong – nowhere
April 20 – May 20, 2012
Lounge 1F Art Sonje Center
2012 Art Sonje Lounge Project #2: Jang-Oh Hong – nowhere
For its second project in this year, 2012 Art Sonje Lounge Project #2: Jang-Oh Hong nowhere presents his transparent camouflage work, made of urethane vinyl that penetrates and divide the multi-functional space of lounge. Camouflage is generally used for hiding or disguising the presence of an object, yet the artist appropriates transparent materials to camouflage an object. By doing so, he rather reveals its surrounding physical, structural and institutional constitution by representing the object.
Hong’s installed ‘transparent camouflage’ exposures the lounge’s multi-functional roles that indicate complex aspects of contemporary institutions; furthermore, reconsiders the publicness of art and its practice based on these aspects. In addition, the artist presents his painting, using nail polish on the glass of the lounge. The work navigates the meaning of ‘transparent camouflage’ through its material that has both visibility and invisibility.
Born in 1972, Seoul, Jangoh Hong has received BA in Sculpture and MA in Sculpture from Chung-ang University and has achieved MFA in Art Practice from Goldsmiths, University of London. Hong’s work has been presented in his solo shows includingBlackout, Tenderpixel Gallery, London, 2010, and APO33, Nantes, 2010 as well as Space Cell, Seoul, 2004; and in numerous group exhibitions at the Woodmill, London; Tenderpixel Gallery, London; Sungkok Museum, Seoul; Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul; Gana Art Center, Seoul; Seoul Arts Center, Seoul.
Art Sonje Lounge Project has transformed the lounge of Art Sonje Center, where ‘The Books’ and Cafe are located, by each participating artist’s project since 2009. Several artists including Jeongwha Choi in 2009, Chosil Kil and Sunah Choi in 2010, Nayounggim & Gregory Maas in 2011 have presented artworks that intervene into the space of Lounge. Since 2012, Art Sonje Lounge Project runs many projects instead of commissioning the selected artist for a year, in an effort to open up a space for encouraging experimental and challenging practices in a more flexible way.