Artist Statement

Electronic handheld devices have completely dominated our lives, and many people say they cannot live without their digital devices because of withdrawal symptoms. These useful gadgets have created a cult that paralyzes rational and intellectual decisions that would lead us as users to pursue genuine happiness, and we choose to shackle ourselves and trade away our own free will.

My thesis work deals with the relationship between well-being and the use of digital devices. One of design intentions of my cumbersome artwork is to bring about the feeling of fetters because I believe many people are mentally enslaved by the convenient tools that create a sense of bogus contentment. The series of artworks symbolize the endless launching of new products that embrace conventional design and credo which is ultra-capitalism. Each artwork is composed with multiple ripple patterns that represent a digital wave and its insuppressible ripple effect, and the ripple is embellished with materials that are found in nature and digital space. Mother of pearl, metallic dust, artificial dyes, and transparent film are used for ornamentation. Through the research for my thesis, I noticed East Asian countries have developed lacquer work in distinctive way and focused the usage of mother of pearl and metallic dust come from Korean and Japanese traditional lacquerware craft: Najeon-chilgi (나전칠기) and Maki-e(蒔絵). The reference to cultural heritage alludes to both the intricacy of cyberspace and my personal identity as Korean. Artificial dyes and transparency film are utilized to accentuate the fictitious character of cyberspace.

The primary medium is polyepoxides (epoxy resin) and photopolymers (light-activated resin). These resins are used as a foundation for the main structure, as adhesive, and as colorants. Utilization of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing not only demonstrates my proficiency with these tools, but also reinforces the literal connection with electronic devices that are created through manufacture. I hope this thesis work brings about a feeling of self-consciousness, so many people can relish their genuine freedom.