Made in Korea is a cultural exchange project between two contrasting nations – Britain and South Korea, and two contrasting disciplines – ceramics and sound art. Involving 20 artists from Korea, 5 from the UK, and encompassing 4 exhibitions, 4 concerts, an international residency, and the launch of a unique audio guide, the project evolves throughout 2017 in Brighton, London, Stoke-on-Trent and Seoul.
The phrase ‘Made in Korea’ is often synonymous with the mass production of ephemeral objects. Korean ceramic tradition stretches back several millennia, and the artists featured throughout this project reinterpret and rework this historic legacy. The displayed works combine contemporary references and highly individualised techniques, placing this impressive heritage within the world of globalised culture.
The project was in planning for two years, and is Kay Aplin’s most ambitious Ceramic House project to date. Following an Arts Council funded research trip to Korea in 2016, Aplin curated an exhibition of Korean ceramics at The Ceramic House in May, as part of Artists Open Houses at the Brighton Festival, which transferred to leading Mayfair gallery, Sladmore Contemporary in July, a validation of a seven-year journey curating shows at The Ceramic House, and an exciting new step for developing projects outside of the domestic arena.
This project further investigates the links between ceramic and sound art practice initiated in collaboration with sound artist Joseph Young for the Landscape : Islands project in 2016.
Residency – British Ceramics Biennial
Two Korean ceramists, Kyung Won Baek and Jin Kim, undertook a residency at The Ceramic House throughout May and June. Their collaborative work responds to the ceramic heritage of Stoke-on-Trent, with which they are drawing parallels with Korean manufacturing industry. Kay Aplin is making a new piece inspired by traditional Korean architectural ceramics and decorative motifs in ancient Korean ceramic vessels. The two installations will be presented together at British Ceramics Biennial, evoking a cultural conversation between UK and Korean ceramic traditions and will be further linked by a four-channel sound installation by Joseph Young, composed of sounds recorded in artists’ studios in Korea and industrial production in Stoke on Trent.
Sound and Public Space
Three UK-based and three Seoul-based sound artists will engage in a sonic dialogue curated by Joseph Young on a geo-locative audio app featuring compositions that use the ceramic making processes as its source sounds, with the sounds discoverable via GPS at iconic locations in Stoke-on-Trent and Seoul.
The app launches at BCB in September, offering visitors a unique 3D audio experience of Stoke and its historic manufacturing legacy. In partnership with Seoul-based sound artist and curator Hankil Ryu, the app will then debut in Seoul in November with a concert at Mullae Art Factory, where Young will perform together with Korean sound artists as part of Resonance Festival, accompanied by an exhibition of Aplin’s Korean-inspired ceramics.
Exhibiting ceramic artists
The fifteen Korean ceramic artists selected represent some of the most exciting practitioners working in the ceramic medium today, who are based in South Korea, France, Germany, USA and UK. Click on a name to reach each artist’s page.
KYUNG WON BAEK MYUNG NAM AN. JIN EUI KIM. JONG JIN PARK SUN KIM JAE JUN LEE SANG WOO KIM WOOK JAE MAENG JUNG EUN HAN VERONICA JUYOUN BYUN EUI JEONG YOO CHUN BOK LEE MIN SOO LEE HYE MI LEE BO KYUNG KIM KAY APLIN
Residency artists
Sound artists
Follow Kay’s blog about the project here: https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/made-in-korea
MADE IN KOREA DATES
The Ceramic House 6/7, 13/14, 20/21, 27/28 May, vernissage Thursday 4th May
London Craft Week showcases a preview at Sladmore Contemporary of selected artists, 3rd-7th May
Sladmore Contemporary 12th – 28th July
British Ceramics Biennial 22nd Sept – 5th November
Mullae Art Factory, Seoul 4th – 12th November