Junseo Choi
잔상
Prompt: This project was to create an artwork or text that interprets a chosen period of time from your life in a non-linear way, emphasizing the embodied changes influenced by context. Projects can take any form, from physical creations to conceptual proposals, while exploring themes of time and physicality. we were encouraged to use any medium, involve collaborators if desired, and provide documentation of their creative process.
This artwork reflects the shock and devastation caused by martial law, which was declared by the President of South Korea on December 3. While this was my first experience with martial law as a South Korean citizen, the nation’s history is marked by similar declarations, often imposed during military coups that led to violence, civilian injuries, and loss of life. This latest event, a blatant abuse of presidential power, contradicts the principles of a free democratic society and reignites a collective trauma. The artwork consists of 13 horizontal rows symbolizing South Korea’s 13 major pro-democracy movements, with each row featuring 10 vertically arranged photographs, amounting to 130 images in a grid-like structure. Using a photo transfer technique, the images are printed on fabric and designed to remain invisible when the lights are off, only appearing under light, representing how the sacrifices for democracy have been overshadowed and ignored. The large-scale grid overwhelms viewers, compelling them to confront the depth of these struggles while encouraging careful reflection on each moment. “잔상 (afterimage)” critiques the suppression of freedom and emphasizes the enduring significance of the fight for democracy, bringing to light the concealed truths and the indomitable spirit of the people.