Hyunsoo Kim

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Connected I: Existenzsog [Existence Suction] (2021)

Motion (2019)

Zeitreise [Time Travel, 시간여행] (2019)

Being preoccupied with death, people sometimes travel through past, present, and future in musing on the meaning of life.

불면 (不眼) [Insomnia] (2018)

Having a piercing sense of foreboding, sleep seems to evade me persistently leaving my thoughts spinning round and round.

Ein Unheimliches Märchen 어느 잔혹한 동화 [An Eerie Tale] (2018)

‘An Eerie Tale’ deals with various perspectives on human rights issues, especially sexual violence and appeals to the people’s understanding and sympathy with the victims, no matter whether those were they themselves, their family members, or their friends who have remained silent rather than being comforted by a distorted society.

Heiligen Welt [Saint's World] (2018)

What can we actually know? In a world, in which politics, economy, and society are still described according to narrative patterns of saints' and anti-heroes' vitae, the real tragedies fade readily into the background.
While the institutions, which constitute the basic frameworks for our actions, stay thus impalpable, our media create sometimes pretensious, sometimes hermetic images of places and people as well as such kind of constellations of characters.
Thus, in splendor of "power" we just seem to live in the shadows...

Angekommen ... [Arrived ...] (2017)

While pain of parting is still fading away, unrest, we've brought upon us, is already unrolling.No clear glance catches the dawning. We experience everything (and ourselves) as lonely and alien and are viewed as such.
Not been brushed down, the dust of journey is sticking to the body while you're bedding wearily. Accordingly, new begins. Since everyone is on the move, how long will it take till we reach the feeling that we are arriving? The wish of hope causes crisis winter for the time. As the morrow is already awaiting you tomorrow...

Wanderlust (2016)

Beyond all those debates on refugees, in which human beings far too often are narrowed down to victimhood, from time immemorial, wandering has been playing a decisive role in the development of personality and society.
For wandering opens up opportunities for everyone to escape from the existing, individual limitaions. You only have need of forsight, valor, and wanderlust...

"Grenzwertig" (2016)

Why all these ideological arguments? What is this drawings of lines for, by which we are squeezing our world into patterns?
Through our pursuit of our own well-being — when everything fits — we cause an aesthetic pressure on others at a social level. By each exercising of that power we are creating exclusion.
And yet there is more than enough space for others! Our world is composed by external parts, as well. And the natural strength of human beings does, above all, originate from their openness towards the alien.

Frieden im Respekt [Peace in Respect] (2016)

Amidst all tensions, conflicts, pain, and brutality a wish for peace in respect is arising.
Borne by people, who want to spread the music of solace on the street to all those who have to give up their homes and those who must share their homeland with strangers, a tiny hope is spreading that human beings and societies will evolve once more and that a life in new harmony is about to approach.
The mutual respect for each other erects the ramparts which line a peaceful coexistence.
In these times, let us not forget to be considerate of each and everyone's vulnerability and, first of all, to take a deep breath: for a peace in respect.

Puzzling as Yourself (2015)

No matter how things were, are, or will be we cannot abdicate our convictions. Yet the mundane flux is fulfilling itself in each point with a unique pace and rhythm; and our ceaseless improvisation only illustrates our frailty painfully.
In our own narrow world we might be heroes or sufferers; but as soon as we fall for onesidednesswe create hostile phantoms or stand astray in front of insurmountable obstacles of the circumstances.
In the state of puzzlement we are looking for help and turn outward, thus experiencing: we are not alone as far as our hearts stand open — it yields the sole hope of mankind.

Reise [Voyage] (2015)

Voyages neither permit profuse recreation, nor bear down upon pleasure, but primarily on one activity: work — physical and mental toil along a way. Therefore, they are — in contrast to vacation — capable of changing people in their interiority.
On your path, you pass your own faults and frights, your capacities and courage. You learn how to adjust to the otherness of the world, nature, and mankind, how to internalize it, and how to let it leave.
Occasionally, the extensibility of the spatial and temporal realm befalls you: from the stark infinity of exertion to fascination, compressed to timelessness.
Utterly confused and intoxicated by the richness of the undergone experiences you stagger up to the new horizons, unbolting in all directions.


Vergeben [Forgiving] (2015)

Our interpersonal ties through sympathy and trust are often no more than a thread. If it tears apart the relationship will become a sport of moods and chances, whether the roads of life fork. Only forgiveness, that requires the courage to begin anew, enables the relational tie to cohere.
Moreover, the willingness to condone allows people to develop in their relationship, as everybody has difficulty changing an accustomed point of view on people and their behavior; but condonation frees up space both to alter and adopt to experience our fellow people anew.
Ultimately, forgiveness habors the vigor of humaneness — all humaneness perishes without the power to forgive.


Intoxication (2014)

Incomplete signs of disintegration prevade the empirical world. Pains and aches approach fatally, intoxicating all confindence at this moment. While suspense depresses decisiveness leadenly, barrages block the acending expectations.
Then thawing commences once again, and the congealed dissolves through intoxication.
Since Pandora's box has been standing open, the world enriched by calamity has been offering even more auspicious promises due to sharper contrast — the twin birth of hope and agony.

Glücklich, aber relativ [Happy, but relatively] (2014)

Being seized with infatuation, your depth perception of the world outside starts getting hazy, and in your heart the ease of shallowness is spreading. Exaltation that raises your spirit is repressing the knowledge about love's mythic essence and the experience of hurt and being hurt; thus all uncertainty dissolves. Well-being and charity shine in your soul while witnessing how pure and true humaneness is filling you.
But the reminding of vanitas mundi is still throbbing subtly — the concern that everything is going to drip from time, no matter how firmly you aspire to cling to the ecstasy of moment. Heavy-heartedly you can intuit that fate once more does not bestow absolute happiness on you.
Nevertheless, you do feel happy right here right now, and embrace and cloak yourself in this emotion. May the pain awaits you all the sooner, carpe id momentum! Thereby all happiness' sinister companions become a contrast in the tessellation of infatuation.

Open Mind (2014)

Once and again we talk grandiosely about tolerance and openness: how important they are to ensure human freedom. But hardly anyone lives accordingly.
Openness means to grant other people space to unfold oneself and to shape it according to one's idea; tolerance implies that you do not assess other humans' lived liberty according to your own moral standards and aesthetic sensitivity.
The idea of open mindness requests the individual to begin with him or herself to open up to the plurality of concepts.

Destruktiv und Konstruktiv [Destructive and Constructive] (2014)

In analysis of the ideal of freedom you might come to the conclusion that humanity is in a dilemma. On the one hand, all ideologies and religions provide people with an utopian vision of society, a dream of how human beings can cohabit peacefully in a community.
On the other hand, opposing them stands human nature, that always claims a larger share for oneself and one's ilk (family, friends, community etc.), stresses one's needs, and is willing to accept inequality or even injustice. Human nature thus prevents utopia from being established and implemented.
Even the hippie movement that strove after selflessness, equality, and peace was unable to make their own utopia a lived reality and foundered on that very human nature. All human beings ultimately desire for hope — hope for a better, safer future.
In conjunction with human nature ideologies and religions therefore take both a constructive and destructive effect. Both the constructive and destructive characters are thereby in a state of flux: what under some circumstances can be regarded as constructive, could in a different situation be seen as destructive and vice versa. Destructiveness therefore can by no means just be considered as something “negative”. Sometimes it clears space for something new.
In this respect the rigid classification of constructive as “positive” and destructive as “negative” falls short.

In Case You're Lost (2014)

The topic involves the search for identity that goes with the engagement with one's development over a long period, in short, with the personalities of the past, present, and imagined future.
They all constitute and shape our self-perception. But an intense preoccupation with the question about one's identity can also fan identity-fears. As among your memories of your past Me and visions of your soon Me you might easily lose contact to your present Self. Withal, your own weapons that professedly serve for self-defense might unexpectedly be deployed headlessly. Since nothing sparks aggression faster than insecurity.
Thus, in case you're lost you better muster all courage needed to admit your inner divisiveness.

Bevor die Sommerzeit vorbei geht [Before Summertime is gone] (2014)

At the last common family trip after a long, long while reminiscences of happy childhood days reappear in your mind's eye: The idyll of the past enfolds the hearts and reconciles them with the lapsed pains of the bygone days.
Summertime endows us with the opportunity to comprehend each other deeper. It is the season of year to realize what is important for you. Summertime, you should not miss it …

Fine Funny World (2014)

The impression of New York City as an allegory of a world full of opposites. If you open up yourself to this metropolis she will be gonzo, gaudy and goodly. Superficially, harmony, in which people meet strangers in a very kind manner, prevails. However, in which contrast are the flashy fronts of the skyscrapers against the seedy subway?
Despite incredible accumulation of riches people there resign themselves to the existing poverty. Furthermore, you can note the deliberate segregation of ethnic groups and social classes: everybody wants to dwell only in neighbourhood with one's equals.
In spite of all of this you can sense that wherever freedom prevails, confidence predominates in people's hearts.

Widerstandsgeist [Spirit of Resistance] (2014)

In some cases we try to appear calm and even-tempered by concealing our seething inner world from our surroundings. Our motive for such behaviour can be attributed to our hope that we shall resist the world at the right moment. During the crucial state between action and reaction our constructive and destructive nature are in critical equilibrium.

Muse Room (2013)

This picture is an attempt to depict the multi-layer and complex structure of my inner studio: there I can find my source of inspiration and a spot in which my fantasy can fully unfold. Whenever painting my pictures, I stay at this location. It is my place where I feel at ease and where I have the feeling to belong when my artistic creativity unfurls itself.

Ein bisschen Abstand von der Welt [A little Distance from the World] (2013)

In this modern world the urban life causes a lot of similar but still unique everyday problems all over the glob. However, all of them cause one basic problem — the fragmentation of life. Our lives fall apart into apparently incoherent episodes. These everyday fragments straiten our view of ourselves and the world. Only a little distance from the world can contribute to perceive life and world in a greater context again.


Selbsttäuschung [Delusion] (2013)

Temporal disorientation provides us the opportunity for realizing that the surrounding space is living: it is constantly changing. Doors are opening and closing, trap doors are unsnapping, walls are shifting, and distances are increasing and shrinking. Under such circumstances you will go round in circles and be chained to a spot if you do not summon up your courage to reconsider your position and the surroundings time and again.
Thus, the living space debunks our erroneous ideas and enables us to avoid the danger of fixation on a remote point. The idea that the surrounding space is inactive is a baneful delusion.

Die Macht des Raums [The Power of Space] (2013)

Becoming aware of the surrounding space and its qualities for an instant, you might start marvelling at them: the past conditions have led to the present circumstances, which in turn will predetermine the coming environment. This means that past, present, and future all co-exist in the spatial structures. The power of space, hence, poses the questions of ancestry and origin, of the essence of time, and the state of our existence.

Pfad der Erlösung [Path of Salvation] (2013)

Many people tend to react on other people’s (opposing) behaviour and opinion with indignation. Our flaring desire for punishing others can be traced back to our wish to deliver the world from all malady and iniquity. However, it is not the righteous rage that paves the path there but compassion with all living beings — in as much as malady and iniquity are bound to a partial point of view. Nothing but compassion can reveal a global perspective.

Kognitiv [Cognitive] (2013)

From time to time every one of us feels the blustering conflict between emotions and reason that divides us. Sometimes feelings overwhelm us, sometimes rationality prevails.
However irreconcilable they may appear both reason and emotions are pieces of our human nature that we have to reconcile in order to cultivate ourselves.

Das Leben ist nicht vorbei [Life is not over] (2013)

Howsoever desperate a situation might appear, you should not lose sight of the fact that you are in control of your life’s design all the same. Every one of us contains a bridge builder who can bridge over difficulties. Happiness might merely be a construct but one that is worth building.

Normal zu sein [To be normal] (2013)

To demand being normal from someone is an expression of a ruthless and narrow-minded attitude towards your fellow being. It is reduction of the human being to physical matter. By setting your notion as standard you attempt to subdue your fellow by your norms. On the other hand, as the existing norms are disintegrating visibly in our globalized and pluralistic world, the individuals lose track of the idea what it means to be normal. Thus, even the wish to be normal becomes challenging. Under such circumstances who still dares to stand up for oneself in public?

Erkenntnis [Awareness] (2013)

The experience of natural catastrophes reminds people of their powerlessness to sustain the anthroposphere against the change of times and natural powers. Man made artefacts decay as soon as they are no longer maintained. The artificial habitat is and shall remain a gift of time...

Spielgung [Mirroring] (2013)

Each spatial place can serve as a stage for an occurrence at a certain point of time. As an event is deeply interwoven with its spatial conditions it tends to return to the place of its occurrence again and again. In this sense, space becomes a time machine of the eternal recurrence of all things.


Wenn sie rote Haare hätte [If she had red hair] (2012)
It is quite usual that people who enter into the bond of marriage possess completely different dispositions; therefore, they have distinct needs, too. Thus, it often causes inevitably a sad end. Yet it is the odds and ends that turn the balance. As far too often the inconspicuous trifle of everyday’s life and our approach to them cause couples to fall out. So in the aftermath people pose the question, whether it could turn out differently if…

end.los [end.less] (2012)

Having travelled halfway and becoming weary, you take a rest and start musing about your previous journey and the coming path: will you arrive at your destination, and is it worthwhile all your toil? At this moment when hope, fear, and disappointment alternate each other, the outcome of your journey is decided whether to give up or to go on...

Auf der Suche nach Stille [A Quest for Silence] (2012)

Whenever a rest from the turmoil of civilisation is needed people are inevitably allured by the serenity of waters. Encompassing the forces of life and death, reflecting sedately its surrounding while keeping its own pace, water soaks into our souls and flushes away our sorrows.

Traumeinbruch [Dream Breaking] (2012)

Since the dawn of human existence the spheres of dream and reality have never been finally separated. Thus, the limits of our existence are always permeable to our imagination. Then where does our imaginary world end and where does the real one begin? How much of our fantasy is part of our perceived reality?

Unterwegs [On the Way] (2012)

On, and on, and on, we stride across the times, beyond the shadows and penumbras of roughly passing periods, the yet unknown and coloured sides of life awaiting us. Inquisitiveness revives our spirits. So let’s sally forth to see what lies ahead…

Verlangen nach Klarheit [Claim for Clarity] (2012)

Since childhood we have been admonished to express our wishes and feelings clearly to other people. As a claim, clarity even demands of you to become clear about yourself. Apparently, you will be only taken seriously in society if you are able to take an unequivocal stand. However, especially „know thyself“ as a precondition for getting clear about things is a tricky hurdle which hardly anyone clears.

Fluch Eudämonias [Eudaemonia’s Curse] (2012)

These days, school, study, and working life take a heavy toll — especially of the young. The (young) people are alienated from their dreams and wishes due to social and economic pressure to succeed, heavy debts, or the growing lack of prospects in society. Disillusionment and hopelessness leave their marks on the lives of those, whose only aim consists in becoming happy by means of materialistic consumption.

Kurz davor [Shortly Before] (2012)

This picture captures the moment before the occurrence of a situation: a prevailing of uncertainty about what is going to happen next, or whether something is going to take place at all. It is a state of alternating expectations and insecurities. Precisely the moment shortly before…

In einem freundlichen Krieg [In a Friendly War] (2012)

In our daily social interactions there always occur conflicts and disputes. Moreover, our innate inhibition against pure violence drives us to justify our hostile feelings towards others or the incursion into others’ freedom. Against this background, we understand the oxymoron of “just war”, even though we clearly observe that atrocity seems more to be in accordance with war rather than justice.

Nostalgie vor der Erde [Nostalgia in the Face of Soil] (2012)

Facing mortality we strip off our mortal agony at a certain point to find inner peace and harmony within the world. Returning into Mother Nature’s warm womb, we accept the course of life however it has presented itself to us so far...

Ins Nirgendwo [Into Nowhere] (2011)

Being caught in a maze of endless serpentine roads, natural beauty, and the strong fragrance of blooming lavender.

Gefühlsstau [Emotional Tailback] (2011)

Confusion.
Emotional break down.

Verzweifelt [Despaired] (2011)

Despair comes up when we are without a clue what is going on, or when we have lost control. For instance, our handling of radioactivity is quite complicated: neither can we always trust the spread information in the official media nor our eyes…

Angst (2010)

In most cases people actually fear erroneous images of those things they think they are frighten of. As a result the impact of these anxieties on the psyche is more devastating and people become more fearful and panic more easily. In this way paranoia can emerge but images of our fantasy as well.

Widerspruch [Contradiction] (2010)

Even though we are driven by our wish for freedom, when scrutinizing deeply our souls, we might realise that our own inner rules restrict our liberty. Maybe these restrict us more than any other person ever could…

Spielsucht [Playing Addiction] (2010)

People, being afraid of becoming a grown-up, cling to the world of their childhood. However, they are very curious about the world around them. Perhaps there might be some toys they haven’t played with yet?

Ich bin es [I am it] (2010)

A self portrait as self-image: picturing my inner Self regardless of my outer looks.

Botschaft [Message] (2010)

On Communication in society — looking for people alike, an exchange of words and thought emerges among individuals. Sometimes, however, communication tends to be one-sided, sometimes the understanding is only partially successful, and sometimes it even fails completely. But it is always a balancing act.

Verbindung [Nexus] (2010)

Butterfly Effect (2010)

Gedankenpause [Thought Break] (2010)

Vermisste Zeit [Missed Time] (2009)

The evocative memory of childhood — sometimes it is so warm and cosy like a fairy tale, and yet so distant. As blurred mosaics it suddenly appears and dissolves, no matter how fiercely you try to summon it.

Chaos (2009)

We people are all looking for our position in society, but where can we find it? In our disorientation we quickly come into inner and external conflicts…

Untitled (2009)

Sehnsucht [Desire] (2009)

Schattenseiten des Kapitalismus [Shady Sides of Capitalism] (2009)

The capitalistic production creates a world of beautiful things which give us daily delights. However, manufacturing all these pleasant things is based on other people’s hardship and suffering, of which we are aware, but which is blanked out in our joy of these things.

Flucht [Escape] (2009)

A vision of the Styx we have to cross in the otherworld, having once delighted in beholding in a dream.

Lust [Fancy] (2009)

When you fall in love with someone, life seems so marvellous and you fancy being active. Sadly this feeling will not last for long…

Tränen [Tears] (2009)

There are so many kinds of tears we shed: tears of joy, tears of anger, tears of regret, tears of sadness… By shedding them we regain humanity.

Brutalität [Brutality] (2008)

An expression of mood swings and inner self destructiveness.