Oh Tae Won’s Solo Exhibition ‘DROPS X FESTA’ Brings Together Dynamic Multi-Media Art
Jason Yim / Published September 25, 2024 11:18 PM
Jason Yim
Courtesy of the Gallery Art Space Hoseo
Renowned artist Oh Tae-won’s solo exhibition DROPS X FESTA, held at Art Space Hoseo in Seoul from September 21 to October 8, continues her exploration of the fluid and transformative nature of water through her signature “drops” motif. Central to Oh's work is the philosophical exploration of water, both as a tangible form (water droplets) and as an intangible essence (soul), conveying layered meanings about life, time, and space.
In an artist statement, Oh emphasized the depth of emotion encapsulated in each droplet: "Within my water droplets lie countless tears. Each droplet carries its own unique meaning, and none of them can be deemed insignificant." Her work distinguishes between water in its visible form, as droplets, and water without form, which she connects to the essence of the soul. Through her representations of water, she aims to capture profound ideas of existence and interconnectedness.
The Drops series, which has evolved since its inception in 2010, symbolizes the birth of each droplet as it breaks the surface of water, embodying the concepts of time and space. As each droplet forms, it introduces the notion of time—one droplet following another, similar yet distinct, creating a timeline. At the same time, it brings forth the concept of space, as each droplet exists beside another, separate but interconnected. This layering of time, space, and quantity in her work mirrors Gilles Deleuze’s theory of folds, where time and space interact to continuously shape new boundaries and connections. Oh’s distinction between tangible water (as droplets) and intangible water (as soul) resonates deeply with Deleuze’s idea of folds, exploring the dynamic between inner and outer worlds.
Drops Circus 3-1, 100x80cm, Diasec, 2024, Courtesy of the artist
In her video work Drops of Soul, Oh Tae-won further delves into this relationship by showcasing water droplets that remain unbroken even in flames. These resilient droplets reflect the unyielding strength of the human soul, persisting through the most intense trials. This piece invites viewers to contemplate the layers of existence beyond the visible, embracing both life’s fragility and its enduring spirit.
The motif of repetition plays a significant role in her work, reflecting the cyclical nature of time and space. This repetition creates a vertical depth, generating optical illusions and reinforcing the concept of temporal and spatial layering. The Drip-Drop series explores this through repeated patterns that evoke both the fleeting nature of existence and its infinite continuity.
The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Honam University
Oh’s practice spans multiple mediums, including sculpture, installation, video, and two-dimensional works, each contributing to her exploration of water’s essence. Her Drops symbolize not only the physical properties of water but also the nurturing, healing qualities of the soul, offering solace and reflection on the human condition.
As Oh Tae-won herself reflects, "Perhaps our bodies are vessels filled with countless water droplets, each containing a soul." The water droplets in her work serve as metaphors for the soul, ever-changing in form yet unchanging in essence. They symbolize a universal presence, embracing and comforting the world.
With DROPS X FESTA, Oh Tae-won continues to broaden her artistic language, blending personal narrative with universal themes. Her exploration of water’s symbolic nature offers audiences a contemplative space to reflect on the delicate balance between the visible and invisible, the individual and the collective, and the temporal and eternal.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
Courtesy of the Gallery Art Space Hoseo
Renowned artist Oh Tae-won’s solo exhibition DROPS X FESTA, held at Art Space Hoseo in Seoul from September 21 to October 8, continues her exploration of the fluid and transformative nature of water through her signature “drops” motif. Central to Oh's work is the philosophical exploration of water, both as a tangible form (water droplets) and as an intangible essence (soul), conveying layered meanings about life, time, and space.
In an artist statement, Oh emphasized the depth of emotion encapsulated in each droplet: "Within my water droplets lie countless tears. Each droplet carries its own unique meaning, and none of them can be deemed insignificant." Her work distinguishes between water in its visible form, as droplets, and water without form, which she connects to the essence of the soul. Through her representations of water, she aims to capture profound ideas of existence and interconnectedness.
The Drops series, which has evolved since its inception in 2010, symbolizes the birth of each droplet as it breaks the surface of water, embodying the concepts of time and space. As each droplet forms, it introduces the notion of time—one droplet following another, similar yet distinct, creating a timeline. At the same time, it brings forth the concept of space, as each droplet exists beside another, separate but interconnected. This layering of time, space, and quantity in her work mirrors Gilles Deleuze’s theory of folds, where time and space interact to continuously shape new boundaries and connections. Oh’s distinction between tangible water (as droplets) and intangible water (as soul) resonates deeply with Deleuze’s idea of folds, exploring the dynamic between inner and outer worlds.
Drops Circus 3-1, 100x80cm, Diasec, 2024, Courtesy of the artist
In her video work Drops of Soul, Oh Tae-won further delves into this relationship by showcasing water droplets that remain unbroken even in flames. These resilient droplets reflect the unyielding strength of the human soul, persisting through the most intense trials. This piece invites viewers to contemplate the layers of existence beyond the visible, embracing both life’s fragility and its enduring spirit.
The motif of repetition plays a significant role in her work, reflecting the cyclical nature of time and space. This repetition creates a vertical depth, generating optical illusions and reinforcing the concept of temporal and spatial layering. The Drip-Drop series explores this through repeated patterns that evoke both the fleeting nature of existence and its infinite continuity.
The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Honam University
Oh’s practice spans multiple mediums, including sculpture, installation, video, and two-dimensional works, each contributing to her exploration of water’s essence. Her Drops symbolize not only the physical properties of water but also the nurturing, healing qualities of the soul, offering solace and reflection on the human condition.
As Oh Tae-won herself reflects, "Perhaps our bodies are vessels filled with countless water droplets, each containing a soul." The water droplets in her work serve as metaphors for the soul, ever-changing in form yet unchanging in essence. They symbolize a universal presence, embracing and comforting the world.
With DROPS X FESTA, Oh Tae-won continues to broaden her artistic language, blending personal narrative with universal themes. Her exploration of water’s symbolic nature offers audiences a contemplative space to reflect on the delicate balance between the visible and invisible, the individual and the collective, and the temporal and eternal.
