Korean architecture has seen different trends over the year, but one architect has achieved
the ability to create timeless works.
Our Yim Yoonhee joins us for a look at this pioneer architect.
So the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is starting a "Contemporary Artist" series
featuring some of the most influential Korean artists from different categories in art.
And they've decided to open the architect branch of the series with Kimm Jong-soung,
who has been a huge pillar in Korea's world of architecture.
Take a look.
These sharp angles and precise lines may look a bit cold and unfamiliar, but to its creator
it's considered art.
That's because Kimm Jong-soung is considered one of Korea's most brilliant architects,...
each one of his creations undeniably a work of art,... just not in the conventional sense.
But how can something so formulaic,... so black and white,... so calculated be considered
art?
"Science, technology, and art are all key and the use of structure in a technological
way with art is fundamental to architecture.
Professor Kimm is a master at this and his work from the 70s and 80s still hold their
fundamental place in today's world."
Over the last 50 years, Kimm has been creating one of a kind buildings, found throughout
the country, even abroad,... each holding true to his stylistic trait where technology
and art are interchangeable, resulting in a timeless masterpiece.
Whether it be an iconic luxurious hotel, or an office for thousands of workers, each building
requires an exact calculation, so exact,... it has to be an art.
And to stick with his philosophy, of creating a space where material, structure, and proportion
are all equally as important as the ability to capture a sense of the natural,... he's
had to sometimes take rather unusual approaches.
For example, a building in Korea used in the 1988 Olympics measures in at 60 meters by
80 meters,... a huge expanse of a building, but back then Kimm didn't want people to be
weaving in and out of support beams,... so to support such a large size Kimm had to turn
to technology.
"With the Weightlifting Gymnasium for the '88 Olympics, we had to use extensive calculations
and technology to supporting the long-span structure of the building, in order to allow
for natural wide empty spaces.
And with the Wooyang Art Museum, I needed technology in order to anticipate all the
natural factors, such as sunlight, temperature, and humidity in order to control them for
a comfortable building."
As timeless as Kimm's pieces are, they're also landmarks in Korea's landscape, recognizable
by the millions who encounter Seoul.
His classic yet modern style is something many future generations of architects can
refer to, while still be appreciated by the people of today.
Like other artists, such as painters or sculptors, architects train under a master as well.
What about Kimm?
He is the only Korean to study under the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe , who is considered
one of the most important architects of the 20th century, and very influential in modern
architecture.
Mies van der Rohe is one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture known for his
clarity, simplicity, and use of modern materials, so Kimm was able to pick up on these techniques
while also fine-tuning it to fit his own style.
You mentioned earlier that this is part of a new series created by the National Museum
of Modern and Contemporary Art.
What else is in store?
They've decided to find some of the foremost, representative Korean artists and create solo
exhibitions for them, to preserve and share the history of Korean contemporary art.
This exhibition is unusual, because it's such a large exhibition for an architect.
So the MMCA is trying to bring to light some of the lesser known but equally as important
artists.
This takes place at the Gwacheon branch of the MMCA, but the last time, you brought us
an architecture exhibition from the Seoul branch.
Yes and in fact, they just recently opened another very large architecture exhibition
at the Seoul branch that looks into Korean architecture in respect to time and events.
It takes an in-depth look at Korea's modern and contemporary architecture in order to
speculate what we may see in the future.
Thank you for that report.
See you next week.
See you then.