Page 44 - PHOTODOT 2017년 9월호 VOL.46 Sept

to the oriental nature view, has an idea of the circle as an absolute
form through extreme tempered figures and colors and possesses
poetic mystery. It also shows the extreme of reality and minimal
port. Even in 2014, some of his 'Water' series was achieved to be
held as the permanent collection at the Charleroi Photo Museum
(Belgium) for the first time for the Korean photographer.
However, the works that can represent the most of Choi Byung-
kwan are unquestionably "bamboo" works. <Bamboo> series are
consist of <Bamboo Square>, <Bamboo Panorama> and <Bamboo
Gray>. In Korea, after showing the first time under the title 'Na-
ture Series-Sun' (2002), he has continued to work in places, such as
Damyang Sosoiwon, Gyeongnam Jinju and Sacheon.
The bamboo symbolizes the SongJukJiJeol (松竹之節, unchang-
ing integrity) from the old days and symbolizes SongGyoJiSu (松
六之寿, strong nobility, and elegance). The early 'bamboo', which
conveyed those messages, drains the integrity and spirit through Mother of Pearl 08.archival inkjet print.91x126cm.2017
one whole devotion of bamboo line, which is strictly morpholog-
ically rigid, excluding all elements. On the other hand, the latter tional language. The new release, <Mother-of-Pearl>, introduces
<Bamboo Gray> depicts a metaphorical symbol according to the the formalism of the 'mother-of-pearl frame'. The Artist who paid
intuition of the artist and pursues a line and a form on the basis attention to the beauty of traditional lacquerware uses it as a frame
of restrictive beauty in a morphological sense. It absolutely shows of work. The frame is made of mainly 40 to 70 years old furniture,
the 'reason of the light', as what Plotinus said "the sign of spirit". such as the mother-of-pearl dresser and wall-hanging mirror, that
In other words, it forms 'Equivalent' by expressing the philosophy are made by unknown artisans and used in real life. Especially, the
of the artist through the 'light'. This comes from the psychology of main feature of this work is different from general photo produc-
Zen. The scenery of bamboo forest that relaxes the mind of the tion method. It is the method that he determines the frame mate-
viewer, leads us to the world of thought and meditation. Especially, rial of the picture first and choose the photography by shooting the
the restrained form and the out of focus technique simplify the appropriate black and white or color picture, or by selecting from
natural 'structural beauty' and give the same underlying mystique the existing picture and put it in the frame. In the mother-of-pearl
as the entire implication through the part. The <Bamboo> series frame, there are 'Tenjin' and 'Gil Sang Moon Ja' written for longevity
pursues both aspects, symbolizing the fundamental nature of the and fortune. It is unique because there is no identical frame type
object (nature), while thoroughly reflecting on the essential char- or pattern, and therefore, precious.
acteristics of photography. This is the core element of Choi Byung- Choi Byung-kwan is a photographer who wants to stay closer to
Kwan's photograph, which is a photograph that should be 'by itself', the root of nature. Based on minimalism, he shows an ideological
along with the analogue method, showing the depth and charm and philosophical view according to the oriental way of viewing the
of authentic black and white photographs. After photographing nature. Recently, through the questions and answers with Choi
mainly with Hasselblad 6x6cmm medium size camera and 4x5 Inch Byung-kwan who caught the beauty of the oldies, the despair of the
Linhope large film camera, then he printed them in Gelatin Silver vanished, and collaborated with unknown artisan's crafts, I heard
Print by himself. His black and white photograph is a symbol of the the meaning of a deep breath of the photography.
idea and a sign, which makes it possible to give meaning to emo-

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