Famous for her theme ‘trans-human and neo nomad’, artist Ki Ok-ran recently held an invitational exhibition at Thinking Box Gallery in Gwangju under the title ‘Trans-Human and Neo nomad’ (as opposed to nomad). The Gwangju City Korean Traditional Music Orchestra director Kim Gwang-bok (thin pipe) and the members Jeong Hong-su (thick pipe), Kuk Geun-sup (gamsungmu), Baek Young-gyeong (flute), Kim Do-young (cello), Ki Se-gwan (bass) and Ko Jae-gyeong (soprano) gave a congratulatory performance on the opening day. 

Artist Ki was hugely influenced by the French economist Jacques Attali’s concept ‘transhuman’ and has introduced various works themed on that concept at a number of galleries including Mudeung Modern Museum last November, Sochon Art Factory Cube Art Gallery this April, Jamwon Gallery the same month, Changye Gallery this May, Sopoong Gallery this October and the current Thinking Box Gallery. All exhibitions were invitational including Hong Kong Harbour Art Fair, Seoul Art Show, Plastic Art Seoul, and Daejeon/Gwangju/Daegu Art Fair. 

In his congratulatory speech, Choi Ung-Yong, the dean of the Graduate School of Business, Chonnam National University, said, “The media today often cites the term of the 4th industrial revolution. They say AI can write reports, poems, and songs. Recently AI even painted a picture. AI devices are getting more equipped with human logic. I just feel how fast things are changing. I highly praise artist Ki for reading this trend and deliver her thoughts in her unique form of art. I feel I agree with her view on the possible ‘trans-human and neo nomad’ way of life of the people in the future and I want to see more of her works with these unique ideas and forms.”

Ki in response said “I have this overwhelming touch and excitement in my heart especially today while you are here at my exhibition. I hope you all have many happy moments and lead a blessed life. The music tonight put me into romantic sentiment and I feel like I will never forget this moment.”

The works displayed at the exhibition this time were <Variation on Eros and Thanatos>, the <Trans-Human and Neo nomad> series and the <Trans-Human and Galaxy Encounter> series which are themed on recovery of humanity and advancement to a new world. 

▲ Ki Ok-ran

About artist Ki Ok-ran

Trans-human, neo nomad, creative and formative probably are the words that describe artist Ki most effectively. The symbols and objects used in her works are the representation of the digital age. Trans-human in particular is the term that describes human with advanced mental ability and physical super power backed up by AI and high tech devices. 

“My works are a breakaway and a return of set patterns expressed through variety of objects and geometrical forms. For this, I use restrained composition, simplified objects, asymmetric expression and symbols.”

Ki tries to mingle seemingly unmatchable objects into one space such as stainless, metal, natural fiber and computer in collage to create unique works that can answer to the age of digital communications. She points out 4D and 3F as the core characteristics of trans-human: 4D are DNA, Digital, Design and Divinity, and 3F are Feeling, Female and Fiction. 

Space philosopher, architect and Kookmin University professor Yoon Jae-eun said “The geometries appeared in her works are post-structural and language-like composition. This double relativity of consciousness and unconsciousness seem to deepen her art world.”

For example, the computer parts like mainboard, keyboard, CPU cooler, memory and graphic card are a symbol of complicated human body while musical instruments, natural fiber, jeans and Korean paper are a symbol of communication with outer world. 

Her unique art works have been displayed more than 40 times at galleries and art fairs home and abroad including the 2017 Venice Biennale Project, the Louvre Museum Art Fair and the Musee d’Orsay Joseph Gallery. Some of her works are currently being displayed at the Korean Beauty Exploration in Paris which will be followed by an invitational exhibition February next year in France, and two more invitational exhibitions in New York and Japan.