A blog about Korean Designers and Artists

김민주 Kim Min Joo

designbyk — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:59:03 +0000

I’m very excited to introduce Kim Min Joo, a Korean artist. We first saw her art work at www.artspace-hyun.co.kr and were immediately drawn to her subject matter as well as her style for this series of paintings. Take a look, I think you’ll agree, she has a voice of her own and her artwork stands out in a crowded pool of incredible artists here in Korea.

Interview Status: We’re so very happy to provide our first official interview. We’d like to take the time to thank Kim Min Joo for allowing us a glimpse into a the mind of an artist.

1) What are your favorite art pieces in this series and why?

” I like all of my pieces because I draw whenever I want to draw.
But I think I don’t have the piece which I really am satisfied.
I have to try more. “

2) What are the themes of your art work?

No answer.

3) What inspired you to start these art works?

” One hot day, I was just looking at fish(without thinking) which were swimming in the water. At that moment, I experienced that I couldn’t tell whether I am the Fish or the Fish is me. I started to draw these series while I was feeling like I was swimming in the water and that I was the one who broke through the boundary. “

4) Please tell us about your personal background. Which city were you born? Which university did you attend? What was your major? Anything else you’d like to share with us?

” I was born in Seoul. I graduated from Seoul National University major in Oriental painting. I have bachelors and a masters degree in Oriental painting . “

5) When did you know you were interested in art?

” I always liked to draw paintings when I was young, I was always interested in Art. “

6) What do you love most about art?

” I like all parts of Art, I am always impressed and admire it. “

7) What inspires you to create a new design?

” I try to be interested in very small parts when I’m living, I think I am not a sensitive, dedicated person, especially when I am drawing traditional oriental paintings these days. “

Tell us how your designs are created from the beginning to the end. Is there a specific process you use?

” Most I use changJi which is A Korean paper. This is thicker than Chinese drawing paper and I can put on more, so I can do expressions which are of high density. At first, I do the process kind of coating called ” agyoposu ” which means ‘glue catcher or glue gunner’ -> I build up coloring using flour color. “

9) What advice can you give to other artists?

” well..^^ “

10) Who has influenced you the most and how?

” It’s hard to say one person because I am affected by many places here and there. All people have their good sides and bad sides. “

Bernard Pivot Questions:

If god exists, what would you like him or her to say to you when you see him or her?

” I would like to see just smiling without saying.

What sound do you love?

” I like sounds related water- tide sound, rainfall falling on the water, the sound that makes flutters. (flutter kicks) “

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?”

” I want to be a writer. I really love books, but I am not good at writing. “

What is your favorite word?”

” Walking around, rest, talking. “

What is your favorite curseword?”

” babo (light hearted version of idiot) “

What turns you on?”

” friends “

What turns you off?”

” errand “

What sound or noise do you hate?”

” scolding “

1) “What are your favorite art pieces in this series and why?
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2) “What are the major themes of these art works?”
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3) “What inspired you to start these art works?”
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4) Please tell us about your personal background. Which city were you born? Which university did you attend? What was your major? Anything else you’d like to share with us?
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7) What inspires you to create a new design?
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Tell us how your designs are created from the beginning to the end. Is there a specific process you use?
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9) What advice can you give to other artists?

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10) Who has influenced you the most and how?
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These are famous questions by Bernard Pivot, we enjoy asking them and hope you enjoy answering them for us:
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“What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?”
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“What is your favorite word?”
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“What is your favorite curseword?”
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“What turns you on?”
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“What turns you off?”
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Organic Fashion

designbyk — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:11:06 +0000

Living in Berkeley California for a few years, the organic influences on me were quite strong. I began to eat more and more organic foods and even looked for them whenever possible in Seoul. The trend in Seoul for organic products has grown steadily in both the food industry and the fashion industry. I was very happy to find quite a few companies here in Seoul that offer organic or even recycled material fashion designs. One of those companies is called Ecotique. Organic cotton is their main material of choice. Their design aesthetics is one of simplicity and comfort, while still exuding a sense of natural softness and beauty of the the clothes and the woman who wears them.

Did you know that India is the top producer of organic cotton?

Website:

http://www.ecotique.kr/

Location:

http://www.ecotique.kr/front/php/com_intro.php

Interview Status: I’m hoping we can get an email interview with the CEO. Working on it!

Click to view slideshow.

Contact Us:

DesignByK [dot] Blog [at] gmail [dot] com

ChoonChoo Fine Arts Exhibition

designbyk — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:06:29 +0000

We visited the Seoul Arts Center around 5pm yesterday and what a treat it was for us.
Apparently this was a free exhibition(at least at the day and time we visited) of some of Korea’s well known artists. We were able to talk to a few artists there and even were able to persuade them to do email interviews with us. We’re very excited and hope to present our interview series of Korean artists soon to you.

We highly recommend anyone interested in art to to visit the SAC and get a taste of Korean artists, and to see for yourself the depth and talent that abound here in Korea. To our surprise many of the artists allowed us to take photos. Bring a good DSLR if you really want to do justice to the fine works of art we saw there.

When:
2010 / 4 / 16 – 2010 / 4 / 22 11:00-8:00PM
Where:
Seoul Arts Center
Map:

http://www.sac.or.kr/eng/Space/trans.jsp

Enjoy,
DesignbyK Team

Contact Us:
DesignByK [dot] Blog [at] gmail [dot] com

Handmade Bags

designbyk — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:38:20 +0000

I’m not sure what it is, but I do gravitate towards handmade bags. Thinking more about it, there are plenty of advantages to having a handmade bag vs. other kinds of bags. Handmade bags are usually lighter than other materials like vinyl and leather that you see often here in Seoul. They fold easily and can be washable. But I think what attracts me most is the design of handmade bags; they have a casual, comfortable feel that if designed correctly, can also really feel chick and trendy. Today’s featured designer is 조 현 숙 Jo Hyun Sook.

I’ve actually been able to see and feel her bags and can tell you they have a very nice fit and finish with some really tasteful design details.

Material: Cloth.

Unique Details: Fully reversible with equally nice designs, simple button style closure system.

Wish List: I think a zipper would also be quite nice for times when you simply don’t want things falling out of the bag.

Price Range: 20,000w – 25,000 w (I’d say that’s a real bargain for the quality you get!)

Interview Status: I’m hoping we can get an email interview with her very soon. Working on it!

Website:

http://dorocshop.com/

Here are some of my favorite designs:

Click to view slideshow.