The works of the artist Bahk Seon-Ghi largely feature installations of various materials suspended in air, hung with invisible nylon thread. Because of their unique spatial beauty, it is possible to encounter variations of his works in many lobbies and high-ceilinged spaces in buildings both in Korea and abroad, featuring different materials. This installation, notable for its oriental aesthetic, uses charcoal among the many materials possible to embody the form of jars and pots. In addition to charcoal’s purifying qualities, the work conveys uniquely Korean sensibilities to the viewer. Installed in the soaring space that connects the 15th and 16th floors of the Executive Tower Lobby of LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL, the floating forms of Korean traditional pottery are reminiscent of an ink painting. The process of fixing charcoal pieces in space and imbuing the surrounding space with meaning signifies the crossing of the boundaries between past and present, presence and absence, reality and illusion, variability and continuity, and East and West. In particular, by applying gold foil to the surface of the charcoal, the objects harmonize with the interior elements, achieving a three-dimensional sculptural beauty.

An installation artist and a pioneer of Asian contemporary art, Bahk Seon-Ghi is currently one of the most prominent contemporary artists in Korea. His work takes many forms, from installations featuring materials such as charcoal, stone, or acrylic beads hung from invisible wires, to sculptures that make use of painting techniques and perspective. He earned recognition first in Europe, including Italy, when he was invited as a student to special Arsenale exhibitions in Venice. In 2005, he was named “Artist of the Year” by the Kim Chong Yung Museum, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a Korean sculptor. In 2006, he received the Kim Chong Yung Sculpture Award, garnering even more attention. An artist who has consistently ruminated on the themes of past and present, reality and illusion, and how they relate to one another, through his hanging installations that express both Eastern and Western sensibilities, Bahk continues to present his work internationally in critically acclaimed collections.