Choi Jeong-Hwa

b. 1961, born and based in Seoul, Korea. www.gasum.org

Choi studied at Hongik University, Korea. Since being featured at the São Paulo Biennial in 1998, Choi has been invited to major international exhibitions and festivals for his huge inflating sculptures. Under the bright colors and voluptuous forms of his sculptures, there lies his strong social comments on the rapid modernization and westernization of Korea, but his tone is that of great ironist. He induces philosophical retrospection by exaggerating the ironies, contradictions and incongruity found in everyday surroundings until it reaches the point of gorgeous beauty. This indicates that, in spite of his reputation as Korean Pop artist, Choi respects form and spirit of modern art. He has extended his aesthetic sensibility to films, design and public projects.

Choi presents two works for this exhibition, Site of Desire and Lotus. Site of Desire will be built with more than 20,000 plastic baskets, which is a cheap kitchenware most commonly used in Korean lives. Lotus is a kinetic flower that opens and closes its petals by the control of a timer and motor.

- Choi Jeong-Hwa, Site of Desire, plastic baskets, 2005, H 547cm, Korean Pavilion, Giardini di Castello, Venice Biennale

- Choi Jeong-Hwa, Lotus, waterproof cloth, motor, ventilator, timer, Korean Pavilion, Giardini di Castello, Venice Biennale

- Choi Jeong-Hwa, HAPPY TOGETHER, 2004, waterproof cloth, motor, ventilator, timer, Diameter x Depth x Height of each,

- 400x150x100cm, Limestation, Liverpool, UK