Space+Materiality- Project 1 Phase 1

I identify myself through the things I have grown to appreciate. My environment/community sees me as an Asian american. I was inspired by Korea’s history of symbols and how its hidden meanings are integrated with the nature world. I researched the history of symbols in South Korea to learn more about its form of visual communication and art and how it remains the same today. Korean society traditionally adapted to and found meaning from nature. Hidden meanings and other forms of visual language derived from the natural world have been passed to future generations to embrace it as law and order in their daily lives. I Korean people have created myriads of beautiful and diverse patterns and motifs inspired by the nature of the world.

These patterns reflected in all aspects of Korean culture, from prints on common goods to accessories to royal clothing, adorning everything from Korean traditional architecture to household items. Even today these patterns can be found almost everywhere you look in Korea, from the Taegeuk (center emblem) in the national flag of South Korea to the animal designs on chopsticks in restaurants. Many Korean symbolism are similar to the Chinese characters for luck, fortune, longevity, and fertility. Colors and intricate detailing are emphasized in Korea and hold  The colors used in the paintings hold hidden meanings. The rims, roof, and columns of Korean temples are referred to as Dancheong. The five main colors black, blue, yellow and white refer to the five elements of classic Chinese philosophy. The color yellow in Korea is associated with earth, black with water, white with metal, green/blue with wood and red with fire. The colors are also related to seasons: green for spring, red for summer, yellow for late summer, white for autumn and black for winter and even specific times of the day. The vividly colored designs are greatly emphasized and draws out the beauty of the patterns itself without knowing of its hidden meanings. 

“Korean Symbols & Korean Traditional Patterns.” Coming of Age Day | JapanVisitor Japan Travel Guide, www.japanvisitor.com/korea/korea-culture/korea-trad-pattern.

mood board

I was inspired by Korea’s history of symbols because it embraces and connects society to the nature world around us. Many of their traditional patterns have intricate and repetitive lines with vivid and contrasting colors that are shown everywhere you go in Korea. I wanted to include duality in my symbol using inspiration from the traditional prints to represent the loud and bright side of me as well as the calm and gentle person I am using inspiration from the nature that is so embraced and integrated with Korean symbolism. 

 

 

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