어서오세요 Welcome, 1999

at Total Open-Air Museum, Jangheung

installation view in 1999

The piece, 어서오세요 Welcome, was constructed for Total Open Air Museum in S-Korea.
Jang-Heung, a recreation ground located at the outskirts of Seoul, diverging from its original identity as a public park to encourage the citizens of Seoul to appreciate the nearby natural scenery, has become a pleasure district, clustered with Love Hotels and restaurants.
The Museum situated in this surrounding consists of a huge park displaying one hundred sculptures, and exhibition halls accommodated within a two story building.
Welcome has been installed on a wall enclosing the back yard of the building, which can be only seen by entering the gallery. Also, the work can be only viewed from the first and second floor’s balconies looking towards the back yard, and this site, as such, remains the only spot uninhibited by the surrounding entertainment industry and the sculptures in the park.
Here, Welcome, embodies a double meaning: on the one hand, it evokes an invitation into both the scenery of nature and the world of art. On the other hand, the choice of its lettering, colour and the manner of its production taken from the signboards of the surrounding motels and restaurants points to another, that of the entertainment industry.
Installation view in 2005
Photo; Wolgan misool, Montly ART

Signpost words produced with folded steel plates.

Each letter size: 80x95x20cm, total size: 600x95x20cm

Production Supports; Total Museum of Contemporary Art, Gyeunggi Arts & Culture Foundation