포항 해안드라이브

This sculptural work titled “Dream of Being a Tree” was created by the artist Moon Byeong-Doo in 2010. It takes the form of a deer made of stainless-steel wire. Made of steel mesh, the work allows sunlight, wind, rain and snow to pass through it while fitting in harmony with its surroundings by blending into the background. Inside, there is a snail-shaped form symbolizing life. This snail grows in a form and shape resembling deer antlers, which grow like tree branches towards the sky, while the deer gradually assimilates with nature. The artist aimed to deliver a message of hope “Happiness, Love, Prosperity and Success” and to represent a small universe where man and nature coexist. The artist’s idea included themes of the cycle and symbiosis of nature.

Here, this artwork is called “Reincarnation” created in 1993 by the artist Lee Jeom-Won. Inspired by life, the artist aimed to symbolically depict the phenomena of life where birth and death repeat in a cycle. In search of the origin of life that formed the foundation of his world of sculpturing, the artist researched forms embodying life. He wanted to explain that the form which he believed to be the origin of life would be round in shape with something protruding in one corner, not unlike a seed about to sprout. So, this work displays that form of life conceived by the artist. Look! Doesn’t it look like a seed about to sprout, or an egg about to hatch? It appears to figuratively capture the very moment when the energy of life bursts open.

This stainless-steel work titled “Ant” was created by Moon Shin in 1991, who was a well-known abstract sculptor in Korea. This artwork includes one of the most characteristic features found in the late sculptor’s world of art with its expression by using a symmetrical structure in the geometrical form. Since the feel of volume, streamlined yet full, was symmetrically designed, the work naturally displays a sense of vitality, while being restrained yet refined. Of note, the artist made sure to manifest a consistent principle of sculpturing in the purely abstract form by connecting straight and curved lines based on harmony and balance. We cannot know either the beginning or end from this round shape called “Ant,” but it represents the progress of birth and development of a life form, in tandem with the principle of the cycle of life, as it comes and goes back to life.

Here is an old man standing, engaged in deep thought. This artwork of marble was made in 2011 by the artist Kang Kwan-Wook, who has incorporated the earthy image of the Korean people. It is called “Salvation 03-6.” This sculpture is part of the artist’s “Salvation” series that realistically captured destitution and pain through the image of a maternal figure who led and supported the Korean people. In the crude image of a mother, a wretched life of unending fatigue and cold reality is portrayed. From deep-set wrinkles, parched breasts and coarse hands, we can imagine how hard this mother had toiled away. A strong sense of authenticity towards life, which is derived from the completely unadorned, natural look. is like a consolation for our soul fatigued by the rough life. The sight of her can touch even the most hardened person’s soul that has grown numb to the burdens of life.

Here we see two human bodies. This work, cast stainless steel, is called “Gravity Nongravity” by the artist Kim Young-Won, and was completed in 1981. These anatomically correct human bodies are horizontally attached. One body has haphazardly set his foot on the ground, while the other is floating upside down in mid-air, and thus, we’re not sure whether the person on the ground is holding the other or whether the person on top is holding the other below. Even so, they are supporting each other. Through these realistically depicted bodies, the artist aimed to tell a narrative of man’s situations in reality, which he believed could transcend an existence that follows the natural law of gravity. The work embraces the artist’s view of the world where there might be an existence that obeys life and death and another one that wants to go beyond this constraint.