Installation artist Kang Ik-joong depicted his latest work as “Electronic Bibimbap”. “Bibimbap is created by blending rice, gochujang, herbs, and various other ingredients,” he said at the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY) on May. 7. (local time), and “That’s what I want to do with this work, a work like Bibimbap where people worldwide can participate freely.”
Renowned for his past exhibitions, such as at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1994 with video artist Paik Nam-june and received a special prize at the Venice Biennale in 1997, the artist announced that he would launch the “Hangeul Wall Project.” This project aims to construct the world’s largest Hangul wall, measuring 8 meters across and 22 meters high, at the Korean Cultural Center New York. Open to people of all nationalities, participants can visit the project’s website, www.hangeulwall.org, to submit a cherished sentence.
The color of letters can be personalized, and languages other than Korean can be converted into Hangeul (the Korean alphabet). Throughout May, 1,000 sentences will be selected for installation, including those with the most “hearts” on the site and celebrity contributions. Kang envisions this project as a 21st-century cultural asset, showcasing the universal humanity and spirit of freedom embodied in Hangeul to the world.
The initiative began with discussions between Kang and the Executive Director of the KCCNY, Kim Cheon-soo Kim, earlier in the year. Businesses like LG, KISS Group, Cyberlogic Tech, and the Yang Hyun Foundation have generously supported the project. LG provided the computer system and site as an in-kind donation, while the companies and foundation contributed significant sums of money in the hundreds of millions of won.
Several celebrities, including Lee Byung-hun, Lee Ha-nee, and Han Hyo-Joo, have already contributed phrases to the project. With the potential for tens of millions of participants worldwide, Kang encourages everyone to visit the site and participate.
