Introducing the interview for Dongchan Kim's solo exhibition 'Rear Wheel,' which he participated in as part of the residency program at the Kiosk Training Centre starting June 15th.
I believe that learning about position and sense of balance is of utmost importance. Therefore, I work on sensing myself through my surroundings. It is similar to a ball sensing an inclined plane. The slope has a global characteristic, presenting the whole as a unified system. Instead of transcending the ground to advocate freedom, I continue my work by sensing the ground using my unique temporality and physicality.
-Artist statement
S/F:
Your approach to making a role function differently in the realm of art is impressive. What motivated you to start working in this way?
DC: As we live, there are many big and small events, and I wanted those to be well reflected in my work. It was after I realized that art is a medium that can illuminate oneself.
S/F:The works with the title ‘I am not ~’ and ‘The Ball You Saw’ seem interesting because they make opposing claims. The artist performs a certain professional role but says through the title that they are not that person. In the case of ‘The Ball You Saw,’ it is a 3D modeling of the ball used in the last World Cup matches, so it’s not the actual ball. Why do you incorporate this kind of ironic attitude or content in your work?
DC: Because I am still moving. There was a moment when I could be called a b-boy, but not now. I thought some aspect of myself could become art. However, as it did not work well as a b-boy, the title was decided as such. On the other hand, ‘The Ball You Saw’ was a work about the community. I was greatly attracted to the fact that a single soccer ball in the most famous global festival, the World Cup, is seen by people all over the world. In the sense that everyone can look at one thing, I thought of the moon. Nam June Paik’s work,
S/F: In the 'I am not' series, the artist often performs the action of something that you say you are not. However, in your latest work, 'I am not Artist Dongchan Kim', the artist works at a convenience store but says through the title that he is not an artist. I feel a sense of alignment between the labor at the convenience store and the labor of the artist. What are your thoughts on this?
DC: After I started thinking of the things that happen when I am at the convenience store as performances accompanied by labor and economic activity, I have been continuously working part-time jobs. It involves maintaining a space and feeling the temporality and physicality. Of course, this appearance is not artistic at all to us. I think a convenience store is a good medium to show our potential. Therefore, I am currently collecting various elements. I wonder if some possibilities might emerge from the convenience stores seen at the grassroots level in our country. I plan to present it through space and am preparing for the moment when discourse can be created beforehand.
S/F:Your recent work, 'I am no longer an Armored Vehicle Operator', seems like an attempt to connect the role you performed in the military with the locality of Busan. One role transforms into another, and the bicycle used for recording sound transitions to a speaker in the exhibition. This work is also connected to soccer broadcasting. Can you tell us about this work?
DC: I can no longer have an armored vehicle, even if I want to. It can only be purchased at the national level. The first thing I did when I came to Busan was to pay taxes in Saha-gu, Busan. I bought one of the models from ‘Honda Korea’ motorcycles and paid the acquisition and registration tax. Then, for three months, I rode it while mimicking an armored vehicle. Riding on and off-road, I am sensing the terrain of Busan. Simply put, I bought a Busan pass ticket and am riding a device. Although a 5 million won ticket seems a bit expensive, moving on a two-wheeled vehicle is a good means to move within a regional radius. It allows me to see the new city of Busan better. It creates better speed with less effort. However, a two-wheeled vehicle can only move forward if you maintain balance. This is in stark contrast to an armored vehicle. You could say it’s an individual armored vehicle. Recording the audio while moving on the motorcycle was an act of collecting vibrations (sounds) happening around me from the dimension of my movement.
S/F: Finally, do you have any words for the audience reading this interview?
DC: Stay healthy, everyone. Thank you for reading.