Korean media artist Jin Si-yon makes one-of-a-kind media art

For Korean media artist Jin Si-yon, light has been an important medium that connects technology and humanity. By incorporating various technologies using LED lights and motion sensors, he elevates video images on flat screens to three-dimensional forms and moving sculptures.

The exhibition at Jean Gallery in Seoul presents a comprehensive selection of Jin’s works using lights, mainly LEDs.

In “Flow,” Jin creates a new media art form that incorporates dance, music and technology. By attaching tons of tiny LEDs to a dancer’s body, Jin creates lights that are in motion. The 41-year-old artist adds “analog” sentiment to his digital art forms by painting the lights and incorporating traditional Korean craft.

“The advantage of doing media art is that you can make many versions of the works, but I also wanted to make one-of-a-kind work,” said Jin at a press conference at Jean Gallery on Friday.

Some images are framed in lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl that serves as an artistic TV frame.

“My works are created in cooperation with many people who do music, traditional craft, engineering and more. I do receive a lot of help from others to materialize my ideas, and through doing cooperative projects, I have become a nicer man,” he said.

He also ventured into creating a light mass that is tangible to the viewers.

In “Wave,” filmed images of a sunrise and sunset over the ocean are projected onto an LED structure.

Having been influenced by the colorful paintings of his father, artist Jin Yang-wook, Jin is also sensitive to colors and uses lights in various colors. The older Jin, who passed away when his son was 14, was considered a leading figure in Western painting and art education in Korea.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Jin has also established a reputation in Gwangju and served as the art director of Media Art Festival held in that city in September.

He presents the latest installation work “Temple Un-ju” at the exhibition that incorporates various means he tried before including projections, music, motion and various images.

“The Temple Un-ju is a story based on the fable of Mudeung. It was first showcased at Today Art Museum in China this summer. It was a part of three collaborative works by Korean artists who created their pieces based on three different cities in Korea,” said Jin.

Inspired by a folktale passed down in the rural area of Hwasun, South Jeolla Province, the video installation reinterprets the story using symbolic and animated images projected on a huge screen. The lights moving on the long see-through fabrics dramatize the storyline and the grand music helps viewers immerse themselves deeply into the story.

Jin has taken media art to another level through collaboration with a professional dance troupe in Gwangju. His media work was shown on the floor and backdrop during a performance by the Green Ballet Troupe on Dec. 1.

Jin Si-yon’s exhibition “Digital Humanity” continues through Jan. 10 at Jean Gallery in Jongno, Seoul.

For more information, call (02) 738-7570.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)