Do-Ho-Suh
It’s amazing how little objects or little toy men or women can transform into creative installations Do Ho Suh has created little objects or figurines to create very interesting installations. One such installation is the use of dog tags called “Some/One” the meaning implies of one own self identity from a thousand identities, the dog tags, to picture a form of a Korean. I like his message he makes with the figurines. Also his art seems to express himself and view of society or his homeland of South Korea.
Looking at “Some/One” gives the appearance of majesty or ancient Oriental armor to the viewer, but when one sees the robe’s skin of dog tags; for me it represents death, of one’s insignificant life in the grand scheme of war. Knowing that the artist is from Korea and was required to join the Korean army gives more meaning to the piece. Do Ho Suh evokes emotions for the viewers about the significance of life. The robe is close to seven feet in height and ten feet in width. It is military coat has over 3,000 dog tags in a repetitive scale like pattern.
Another unique style Do Ho Suh created was the use of mini figurines. Small plastic figurines become assembled substitution of a wall, bridge or rubber doormat. Most of the figurines are made to look like everyday objects. One example below the, “Doormat: Welcome (Amber)” was made with an orange rubber material appearing as a normal doormat at a standing distance but the texture deceives the individual that the mat itself is composed of tiny figurines. At eyes’ level these translucent figures appear to be ready to bear the weight of the unsuspecting person ready to step on the doormat. The same illusion applies for “Net-work” small metal like figurines connected in a pattern to look like a fishing net such as in the pictures below.
Doormat: Welcome (Amber) 1998 Polyurethane rubber, 1 1/4 x 28 x 19 inches Lehmann Maupin Gallery, New York
Net-work, 2010 Japan Gold and chrome plating with polyurethane coating on ABS plastic, and nylon fishing net
Another installation is “Karma”. This work depicts small figurines running from giant legs wearing a suit and nice black shoes stepping or about to step on them. The installation of the picture below “Public Figures” I believe has a meaning. Many commemorate statues depicts one or several type of people. For instance, many soldiers help no matter what group or ethnicity to finish this one goal. Suh wanted to make these six hundred figurines both male and female with different race and ethnicity holding their memorial. His works allow the viewer to think of his message. Suh makes these mediums to experiment with his experiment of space or of mass. Most do have a message about individuality.
Public Figures 1998-1999 Installation view at Metrotech Center Commons, Brooklyn, New YorkFiberglass/resin, steel pipes, pipe fittings, 10 x 7 x 9 feet Lehmann Maupin Gallery, New York
No comments:
Post a Comment