In celebration of the upcoming winter olympics in PyeongChang, Gallery Korea of the Korean Cultural Center New York is showcasing one hundred winter sports helmets, artistically designed by one hundred artists, and 10 works of fashion inspired by the Korean American Fashion Association, D2, in an exhibition entitled PASSION. CONNECTED. 100 x 100.
Each of the one hundred participating artists designed a helmet inspired by the officially designated Olympic keywords: harmony, people, passion, friendship, possibility, fairness, peace, advancement, movement, play, power, balance, joy, drama, challenge, and sports.
Above ~ Artist, Naomi Frank, “A plume of black smoke represents an ephemeral, smoldering passion that burns brightly and leaves something tangible behind. The movement of the smoke is playful yet purposeful, seemingly random yet governed by natural and chemical forces. There is tension between the still image and the solidity of paint and the delicate nature of smoke, a tension reflected in the distance between thought and action of an athlete in motion.”
In addition, the exhibit also features special works by the Korean American Fashion Association, D2. This part of the exhibit presents 10 works inspired by the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games keywords by six fashion designers from the D2 association.
Above ~ Artist, Saneun Hwang, “A hemispheric-shaped helmet is laced in front of a viewer. At a distance, the surface of the object looks smooth and velvety, just like a part of a silky road that is nicely polished. However, as the viewer comes closer, they discover layers of different elements underneath. (“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”) I intend to transfer this idea of the Olympic Spirit into my work to invite the viewers into a new way of seeing things and evoke a sense of amazement, like an exclamation point.”
“The title of this exhibition, PASSION, CONNECTED. 100 x 100., includes the official slogan of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic & Paralmpic Winter Games ~ Passion. Connected ~ as it refers to a world in which everyone is connected with shared passion for winter sports – a world open to any generation anywhere and anytime, in order to open new horizons in the continued growth of winter sports.” (from the PyeongChang 2018 official website).
Above ~ Artist, Okechukwu Okegrass Ofiaeli, “As an artist, I depend largely upon the environment for inspiration and materials. My work is a statement on diverse human conditions. This painted helmet depicts the full concept of the Olympic Games which do not discriminate against color, class, creed, or gender. The colors – white, black, yellow, red and green – represent the human race while the green represents the environment.”
PASSION. CONNECTED. 100 x 100 will be on view to January 31, 2018 at the Korean Cultural Center in New York, located at 460 Park Avenue, between 57th-58th Streets, 6th Floor, NYC.
If you miss it, it will be back during Asia Week 2018 in March.
