2017

BARCODE 2017
Print Exhibition

Artist Note

To me, barcodes symbolize the essence of contemporary civilization—one where all values are mechanized, standardized, and coded. My artworks are an expression of my struggle against such an environment, and a longing for a time when life was lived in closer harmony with nature—like that of our ancestors, whose romantic connection with the natural world now feels distant and lost.

In one of my works, I reimagined the landscape of Mt. Geumgang using only barcodes. Without even realizing it, the natural scenery gradually transformed into a forest of buildings—revealing how deeply urbanization has shaped our perceptions. Through this process, I sought to embody a sense of humanistic romanticism—something I believe must not be abandoned, even in a world where all values seem to be increasingly capitalized and encoded.