All about afterimages
Koh Young-aah
The Korea Herald
Publication Date : 01-08-2008




Most people judge art by the finished product. When it comes to the actual process of making art, they couldn't care less.
'Drawing Show' is an art exhibition combined with elements of theater which offer a fascinating artistic experience
"I want the audience to leave the show with happy afterimages engraved in their hearts," said Kim Jin-kyu, the creator and artistic director of "Drawing Show," in an interview with The Korea Herald.
In Kim's show, a variety of images, including masterpieces like Bonaparte at Mont St Bernard, are re-created with flashlights or watercolors, among other mediums. The audience explained the experience of seeing the performance as magical.
However, Kim never keeps the drawings that were painted in show. "As long as the drawings are engraved in the audience's heart, the hard copies are not needed."
The show is focused on showing the process of how a painting is drawn and this idea was what made Kim start the show. "I've always thought the process of drawing was more fun than just appreciating the final outcome hanging on the wall," he said.
Kim, who studied art, said he used to be an oddball in the art circle. He also did not like the way art was taught here--where people are forced to draw in a certain way following rules and theories. To him, art is supposed to tell the story of the author.
'Drawing Show' is one of the only shows where trained actors draw pictures on stage in an actual theater. "I would rather say that there was a lack of effort to popularise the genre until now," Kim said.
He added that art, like music, has to develop different kinds of creations that are approachable to a wide range of people, not just art fans.
Kim started working on creating the show in 1998. However, since the idea was so new, Kim faced a lot of obstacles. Developing a totally new show meant sacrifice, including giving up a professorial post at a college and it eventually cost him his health.
"After finishing graduate school, I was appointed as a professor at a university and could have taken the easy and comfortable way toward success," Kim said.
But as time passed he felt like the teaching job became a routine and it no longer inspired him to create more.
"I decided that I had to do something that I really wanted to do, which is constantly creating and designing new art."
However, the reality was harsher than he expected, as soon he was making no money.
Kim finally staged his first show in 2007 when his financial and health conditions hit bottom.
"Back then, being alive, I was grateful for living everyday and I learned to be humble. That's why my first show mainly had its theme on Christianity."
Defying the concerns of many showbiz people, the show found great success with the public and the news quickly spread through word of mouth. Kim also got a big break appearing on TV show "Star King," where ordinary people show off their talents, which in turn led to a major sponsorship.
"I really thank the show for making my creation this well-known to the country. I really didn't expect that kind of wild response from people," Kim said.
Kim opposes giving the audience tips on how to appreciate his show because he believes everyone feels differently even when they watch the same thing.
Kim plans to expand his show--currently he only has five actors and no spares--and to continue researching and developing new work.
Kim also discussed ways to make his show known to other countries. "Rather than going to international stages, I hope people can come to Korea to watch my show because it was created here and can be best presented in its home country."