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Jin Han "Magnetic Field"
BLANKgallery Tokyo
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Artists
Jin Han
BLANKgallery is delighted to present Jin Han's first solo exhibition in Tokyo, featuring a complete display of the woodcut series for the first time. This series highlights a refined fusion of painting and woodcut techniques, showcasing a more sophisticated and structured artistic language. Through depictions of natural phenomena, Jin Han investigates the influence of natural forces, offering an aesthetic and philosophical exploration of the etheric realm.
While Jin Han's works appear grounded in visual imagery, their essence stems more from idealistic concerns than painting purely out of scientific principles. For the artist, nature's allure represents a critical aspect of humanistic thought. Humanity's innate curiosity about and attraction to nature-rooted in romantic speculation has played a pivotal role in societal progress during eras when technological advancements were limited. Even in today's era of rapid technological development, this romantic speculation has not vanished; instead, it has become an inherent part of human instinct. While these mysteries may no longer be unprovable or untold thanks to advancements in science, they continue to influence society in deeply spiritual and mystical ways. For instance, our belief in astrological determinism or the experiential descriptions of natural forces-concepts that defy precise definition yet are affirmed by human experience-continually inspire us. They set human existence apart from other species, enriching the world's innate density with imagination and imbuing it with a deeper sense of mystery and wonder.
This intertwined concern for nature and humanity permeates the works and finds focused expression in the theme of Magnetic Field. The "magnetic field" embodies both attraction and repulsion, shifting in response to consciousness. While it cannot be fully quantified by science, it remains a tangible force that we can perceive and experience.
The series of works in this exhibition-Vortex, Star Link, Aglare, and The Earth's Core-are deliberately extended from Japan's historical and cultural contexts. These deeply relevant elements are translated through the artist's unique visual language and form, brought into exhibitions across various cities. By engaging in dialogue with local cultures and presenting romanticized visual expressions, the works convey Jin Han's observations and philosophical reflections on these extracted symbols. However, their significance transcends regional boundaries, ultimately engaging with broader, universal themes. The artist's approach is central to this exploration. For instance, Vortex embodies the form of a typhoon-a natural disaster with the power to alter boundaries and reshape spaces. Yet, it is not solely a "calamity." Humanity often attributes emotions and meanings to typhoons, imbuing them with philosophical dualities: destruction that fosters renewal, chaos that leads to harmony-a profound reflection of nature's binary forces. Meanwhile, Star Link focuses on the artist's endeavor to visualize the concept of "ether" in science through artistic media. The hexagonal structure of snowflakes references their natural forms while simultaneously evoking the amplified static of early television screens when signals were lost-visualizing chaotic cosmic waves. At the same time, the works reflect the contemporary technological advancements and romantic imaginations surrounding the idea of star link, symbolizing the "web" of the universe. In Jin Han's creative process, these diverse threads of inspiration reveal an unexpected interconnectedness, a quality that deeply fascinates him.
In this series of work, the relationship between material and creation is dynamic and reciprocal rather than one-directional. This duality aligns with the artist's exploration of "ether" as a concept and reflects the integration of spirituality into the creative process. During his residency in Scotland, the artist's immersion in local culture provided him with fresh perspectives on wood as a medium. As a natural gift, wood's role in industry and manufacturing produces varied responses through its properties, such as color, hardness, and scent, offering creators distinct feedback and reactions. For the artist, leading and shaping these "feedbacks" becomes a crucial part of influencing the final outcome. In wood carving process, the techniques of "intaglio carving" and "relief carving"-yin and yang carving methods in Chinese-help form the finished image through the interplay of concave and convex, removal and retention. This process mirrors the ideas expressed in the exhibition Magnetic Field. It speaks to the intangible tensions-hidden yet revealed by human will-that continuously inspire and transform the world and our lives.
While Jin Han's works appear grounded in visual imagery, their essence stems more from idealistic concerns than painting purely out of scientific principles. For the artist, nature's allure represents a critical aspect of humanistic thought. Humanity's innate curiosity about and attraction to nature-rooted in romantic speculation has played a pivotal role in societal progress during eras when technological advancements were limited. Even in today's era of rapid technological development, this romantic speculation has not vanished; instead, it has become an inherent part of human instinct. While these mysteries may no longer be unprovable or untold thanks to advancements in science, they continue to influence society in deeply spiritual and mystical ways. For instance, our belief in astrological determinism or the experiential descriptions of natural forces-concepts that defy precise definition yet are affirmed by human experience-continually inspire us. They set human existence apart from other species, enriching the world's innate density with imagination and imbuing it with a deeper sense of mystery and wonder.
This intertwined concern for nature and humanity permeates the works and finds focused expression in the theme of Magnetic Field. The "magnetic field" embodies both attraction and repulsion, shifting in response to consciousness. While it cannot be fully quantified by science, it remains a tangible force that we can perceive and experience.
The series of works in this exhibition-Vortex, Star Link, Aglare, and The Earth's Core-are deliberately extended from Japan's historical and cultural contexts. These deeply relevant elements are translated through the artist's unique visual language and form, brought into exhibitions across various cities. By engaging in dialogue with local cultures and presenting romanticized visual expressions, the works convey Jin Han's observations and philosophical reflections on these extracted symbols. However, their significance transcends regional boundaries, ultimately engaging with broader, universal themes. The artist's approach is central to this exploration. For instance, Vortex embodies the form of a typhoon-a natural disaster with the power to alter boundaries and reshape spaces. Yet, it is not solely a "calamity." Humanity often attributes emotions and meanings to typhoons, imbuing them with philosophical dualities: destruction that fosters renewal, chaos that leads to harmony-a profound reflection of nature's binary forces. Meanwhile, Star Link focuses on the artist's endeavor to visualize the concept of "ether" in science through artistic media. The hexagonal structure of snowflakes references their natural forms while simultaneously evoking the amplified static of early television screens when signals were lost-visualizing chaotic cosmic waves. At the same time, the works reflect the contemporary technological advancements and romantic imaginations surrounding the idea of star link, symbolizing the "web" of the universe. In Jin Han's creative process, these diverse threads of inspiration reveal an unexpected interconnectedness, a quality that deeply fascinates him.
In this series of work, the relationship between material and creation is dynamic and reciprocal rather than one-directional. This duality aligns with the artist's exploration of "ether" as a concept and reflects the integration of spirituality into the creative process. During his residency in Scotland, the artist's immersion in local culture provided him with fresh perspectives on wood as a medium. As a natural gift, wood's role in industry and manufacturing produces varied responses through its properties, such as color, hardness, and scent, offering creators distinct feedback and reactions. For the artist, leading and shaping these "feedbacks" becomes a crucial part of influencing the final outcome. In wood carving process, the techniques of "intaglio carving" and "relief carving"-yin and yang carving methods in Chinese-help form the finished image through the interplay of concave and convex, removal and retention. This process mirrors the ideas expressed in the exhibition Magnetic Field. It speaks to the intangible tensions-hidden yet revealed by human will-that continuously inspire and transform the world and our lives.
Schedule | Dec 6 (Fri) 2024-Jan 6 (Mon) 2025 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Free | ||||
| Venue | BLANKgallery Tokyo https://www.instagram.com/blankgallery_shanghai_tokyo/  | ||||
| Location | 4-21-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 | ||||
| Access | 5 minute walk from exit 5 at Meiji-jingumae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines. 5 minute walk from exit A2 at Omotesando Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon and Chiyoda lines. 10 minute walk from the East exit of Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote line. | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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