Paper is…? Before taking off on a little journey called “Paper, Present,” there is a blank space for the audience to fill out. The exhibition questions what paper personally means to you. Hard to answer? Here are some answers from the artists who participated in the exhibit. To Torafu Architects, paper is “Infinity.” To Tord Boontje, it is “Space where you can come up with new ideas.” To Jule Waibel, it is an “Instrument,” and to Aterlier Oi, it represents “Thinking with your hands.” “Paper, Present” reveals the works of 10 individual and team artists from various fields. What’s more, there are lines displayed from the poems written by Lee Jung Hyun that fit perfectly well with each work. Adding inspiration to paper, the exhibit highlights the moments as paper transforms into a sensual medium. Ready to delve into the intrinsic qualities and pure beauty of paper?

It would be wrong to consider paper merely as a means of recording. Paper has served as a starting point of creation in a myriad range of areas and its most delicate form may be “paper art.’’ As it can be readily transformed into different forms, paper enables artists to freely incarnate their artistic inspirations into real pieces of work. One of its basic forms would be pop-up cards. Instead of flat, two-dimensional papers, they are converted into three-dimensional figures, similar to the way sculptures are treated. No wonder another name for paper art is “paper sculpture.” Paper art is carried out by various methods, most representatively, folding paper into pleated sculptures, or delicately cutting out its pieces. Depending on the shape and size of the cutout, it can further be related with light and shadow to create more sophisticated images. Paper art works are not only displayed in galleries, but also utilized in many fields such as interior or stage designs.

Richard Sweeny: Untitled

The first section presents eight small paper sculptures and a large installation work. Known to use only white paper, Sweeny elaborately employs curved-folding and pleating techniques without using machines. Inspired by natural phenomenon, his works brilliantly portray the elegance of paper as they sway and twinkle in the dark.

Tahiti Pehrson: The New Beginning

To Pehrson, the play of light and shadows is also a part of his works. Geometric and organic patterns are made on white paper by delicately cutting out paper with precisely drawn designs. Through the light pouring into the cut patterns and its shadows, his works achieve spatial balance and show the contrast between lightness and heaviness.

Atelier Oi: Honminoshi Garden

This section welcomes viewers to a large-scale installation work, designed by using traditional paper from Gifu Prefecture in Japan. Like a mobile, the work gently floats in the air, casting delicate shadows on the floor as the light passes through. Taken from the beautiful scenery from Gifu, it brings oriental sensibility to white paper.

 

Paper Products

Torafu Architects, Jule Waibel, Studio Job, and Tord Boontje present products that are unbelievably made out of paper. From cabinets, tables, curtains to small objects like wall decorations and flower vases, there are so many colorful and useful collections of paper products that are ready to be used.

Cabinet of Curiosity

Driven from the ideas in daily life and nature, Zim & Zou opens up a fairy tale to the viewers. Crafted only by hand, the works trigger analogue nostalgia and show deep interest in handcrafts. Like back in the days where show windows were decorated by various handcrafts, the works make viewers standstill and take a closer look.

From Color to Eternity

This section invites viewers to a surreal garden of exuberant wisteria, made of 4,000 pieces of flowers with 4,000 Swarovski crystals. The flowers in full bloom also have a beautiful gradation effect, fading from vivid colors to pure white. In no time, viewers pull out their phones and take a picture of themselves in such a beautiful garden.

Paper Walk

Lastly, the exhibit leads viewers into a field of pink reeds. As the room is surrounded by mirrors, the reflection of the clusters of paper reeds gives an illusion of an endless stretch of the field. Why not take a walk across the field of paper reeds, hearing the rustling sound of paper swinging in the breeze?

 

According to Tord Boontje., “For me, the everyday-ness of paper makes it interesting because it is so much all around us. It’s not precious to begin with, but once it starts carrying your thoughts and ideas or even gets made into something, it transforms.” This cannot be agreed more when regarding the remarkable transformation by paper shown in the exhibit. It was not only eye candy, but also presented new and enjoyable experiences to the audience. Remember the question at the start? Hope this exhibit left another nice answer in your mind!  

 

Period: 2017.12.07~2018.5.27

Time: Tuesday~Sunday: 10:00~18:00 / Thursday, Saturday: 10:00~20:00 (Monday: closed)

Location: Daelim Museum

Price: Adult: 6,000 won