Photo project explores Gwangju one day at a time

Expats in Gwangju are being encouraged to join in a collaborative art project to show the city throughout 2012.

The brainchild of 9-year Gwangju resident Joe Wabe, Gwangju 365 Picture Challenge is an online photo diary that will chart a year in the city one picture at the time.

Wabe is also the man behind Art Elemento, a magazine about creative expats in Gwangju.

“Through the magazine I was able to start showing the community and Korea all the talented foreigners that we have in this area and to break a little the stereotype that Koreans have about foreigners,” he said.

This project builds on the creative atmosphere of the city, and aims to tell the story in 52 weekly themes.

“I want to be able to have a photo journey of what 365 days in Gwangju is like.”

It is elements of the city’s character he particularly hopes will show through.

“I wish the pictures to show the theme and the relationship with Gwangju,” says Wabe. “I want and wish every image to give everyone an idea of what it is like to live in this city with a visual image.”

Wabe concedes that the first week was slow, and he and a friend had to get the ball rolling, but since then contributions have been flowing in.

“This week we have a new theme and I’ve gotten lots of pictures from people so I’m very excited,” Wabe explains. “Anyone living in Gwangju is welcome to join, and I’m expecting anyone with any sort of camera to join the project.”

There are just a few simple rules to follow. Pictures must match the theme, they have to have a description and a title and they must be taken in Gwangju during this year. Photos should have been taken around the time of submission, but Wabe does not expect an instant turnaround.

“It doesn’t have to be exactly on the same day,” he explains.

Wabe hopes to make a book out of the submissions. Elsewhere, he is working on issue 5 of Art Elemento.

The project can be seen online at Gwangju365.com. Art Elemento can be seen at www.issuu.com/artelemento.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)