프로토 라이트

For the past 3 years, artclub1563 have organized exhibitions that put particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approach to contemporary art. Within a similar context, 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 has been curated to highlight how ‘light’ can be used as a subject matter and an artistic material by not only the contemporary Visual artists, but designers and architects. By crossing the boundaries of established disciplines, this exhibition proposes that ‘light’ can be used as a functional, everyday product, and at the same time, as an artistic medium that expands the realm of Visual art. While the participating artists of the exhibition deal with the same material and theme- that is light- the visual language and message of each work is highly distinctive. More importantly, the works presented in 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the interdisciplinary aspect of ‘light,’ and on the act of ‘seeing.’

The history of art is full of references, depictions and uses of ‘light.’ Consider, for instance, how Renaissance artists attempted to achieve ‘artistic perfection’ through the subtle rendering of light and shade; while artist such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Goya employed dramatic and emotional forms of light in the paintings. Although their subject may not be about light per se, one cannot ignore its powerful presence in their work. Within such context, 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 seeks to explore how ‘light’ is used as an artistic medium in contemporary society, not only within the realm of Visual art, but also in design and architecture. The exhibition thus focuses on the physicality of light and its relationship with object and space. Rather than representing ‘light’ as an image, works included in 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 treat various forms of industrial light as an artistic material. To some extent, their practice is informed by ‘Light and Space Movement,’ which began in LA in the mid-1960s. By embracing technological development, artists at the time actively incorporated various forms of industrial lighting into their art, making light ‘be’ the artwork itself.

〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 is an interdisciplinary group exhibition, which includes works by six Koreans and international Visual artists, designers and architects. By crossing the boundaries of established disciplines, this exhibition reveals how ‘light’ can be used as a functional, everyday product, and at the same time, as an artistic medium that expands the realm of Visual art. While the participants of the exhibition deal with the same material and concept, that is light, the visual language and message of each work is highly distinctive. Some of the site-specific installations take advantage of the unique architectural structure of the exhibition space, which was originally designed to be a church. Visitors will be able to witness the transformation of artclub1563, and thereby become more conscious of how our perception of objects and spaces is largely influenced by light. More importantly, 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the interdisciplinary aspect of ‘light,’ and on the act of ‘seeing.’

Benjamin Hubert

Benjamin Hubert is a young designer, who set his own design studio immediately after he graduated from Loughborough University in 2006. His studio specialises in materials driven, process led industrial design across furniture and lighting sectors. Benjamin Hubert is particularly interested in investigating natural qualities inherent in materials he uses and using them as the bases of his cutting-edge product designs. He has won a number of prestigious design awards and has exhibited internationally. Benjamin Hubert’s signature light work, ‘Tenda,’ will be on display at 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉.

Dara Huang

After completing her Master’s Degree in Architecture at Harvard University, Dara Huang gained experience at Pritzker Prize winning firms, honing her skills at Herzog de Meuron in Basel, Switzerland, Asymptote Architects in New York City, and Foster + Partners in London. Dara Huang founded DH Liberty Ltd in November 2012, which is run as a studio-environment to promote new talent and creative design ideas. It is best known for creating spaces through a combination of art, architecture and nature. For 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉, Dara Huang will showcase 〈Inverted Umbrella〉, which is based on the natural phenomenon and rhythm of rain and its relationship to space.

Jan Christensen

Jan Christensen graduated from Oslo National Academy of the Arts and currently works in Berlin and Oslo. Jan Christensen is best known for his large-scale public artworks and site-specific installations. Jan Christensen is not only an artist, but also a curator and critic. For the 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 exhibition, the artist has produced a site-specific light structure, through which he seeks to reveal the relationship between light and architectural space.

이상혁 Sang Hyeok Lee

Sang Hyeok Lee lives and works in Berlin. He completed his bachelor’s degree at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Rhode Island School of Design in USA. Sang Hyeok Lee is interested in how people live with objects, how people treat them, and what kind of objects people make for a living. He was awarded ‘Winner of ‘Time to Design’’ (2013) and received 2nd prize for D3 Contest, organised by IMM Cologne (2012). For the 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 exhibition, Sang Hyeok Lee created 〈The Beginning of Every Light〉, which was inspired by a house number light that acts as ‘the first light of the building.’

이상진 Sang Jin Lee

Sangjin Lee graduated from Domus Academy in 2002 and started working as an artist since then. In 2006, he was awarded ‘Leader of New-Generation Design.’ He is particularly well known for crossing the boundaries of design and fine art. Sang Jin Lee is interested in revealing artistic possibilities of common, every-day objects, and thus his light works are often made up of found objects that are taken for granted. For the 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 show, Sang Jin Lee has constructed an architectonic light work made out of common industrial materials, such as plastic.

이석우 Sukwoo Lee

Sukwoo Lee started his career as a product designer at Samsung electronics. In 2008, he co-founded SWBK, an industrial design company, and Matter & Matter, a furniture design firm. By producing designs that reflect his own personal philosophy and story, Sukwoo Lee has been nominated as the Next Design Leader in 2006 and 2007 by KIDP. For 〈PROTO_LIGHT〉 Sukwoo Lee combined furniture with light as a means to reflect a complex relationship between objects, space and light.