Taesoo Lee
Lee Taesoo’s sculptural depictions of stones and iron beams seem heavy enough to fall through the floorboards at any moment. In actuality, these hefty pieces are made out of polystyrene, merely weighing a few kilograms. By creating objects that seem heavy, Lee critiques the way in which our society measures success - based on the superficial value of ownership (to have) rather than the intrinsic value of existence itself (to be). Just as an object that seems heavy is near weightless in reality, we are invited to reexamine what it means to have value as human beings in today’s society, and whether we have forgotten our true humanity and autonomy, distracted by the surface value of possession. Lee’s work makes us carefully examine the properties of an object beyond what is visible, and as such, we are prompted to take a moment to reflect on societal issues that are often left unseen and neglected, as well as on how we prioritize our own values in life.
이태수의 작품의 물리적 존재는 시각적으로 바라보는 것 만으로도 갤러리 공간 안에 묘한 긴장감을 유발한다. 그러나 이 육중한 작품들은 사실은 가벼운 스티로폼으로 만들어졌다. 무게감이 느껴지는 사물을 통해 작가는 ‘가치'에 대한 흔히 추구하는 사회적 성공의 잣대가 존재 가치(To be)가 아니라 소유 가치(To have) 중심 속에 있기에 우리가 소유하려고 애쓰는 것에만 인생의 잣대를 두고 살아가는 것은 아닌지, 사회에서 어떠한 존재로서의 가치를 가지는 것에 대해 다시 돌아본다. 실제로 무겁다고 보이는 것이 실제로는 무겁지 않은 것처럼 말이다. 작가는 작품을 통하여 우리는 대상 이면의 보이지 않는 속성, 그리고 이를 둘러싼 환경을 생각하게 한다. 작가가 사용한 재료의 모순은 보이지 않는 사회적 현상의 문제를, 우리가 찾아가야 할 본질과 가치를 두어야 할 것이 무엇인지에 대해 사색의 시간을 가져보게 한다.
Born in 1981, Korea, Lives and works in Paju, Korea
EDUCATION
- 2007 B.A. in Environmental Sculpture, Seoul National University of Science & Technology
- 2011 M.A. in Environmental Sculpture, Seoul National University of Science & Technology
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022
- tbc, CHOI&CHOI Gallery, Seoul (Forthcoming)
- Meta-sense – Lee Tae-soo's solo exhibition (Botanical Garden PH, Seoul)
2020
- Delusion – Opening Ceremony (Gallery LAAB, Seoul)
2019
- Existential Antinomy ‘심상배반(心像背反)’, Kunst1, Seoul
- International Sculpture Festa 2019 – Solo Booth, Hangaram Art Museum,Seoul
2018
- The Unbearable Lightness of Value, Space BA 421, Seoul
- 9P: Lee Taesoo Solo Exhibition, Gallery 9P, Seoul
- International Sculpture Festa: Solo booth, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul
2017
- Vanishing Point, Space Sun+, Seoul
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
- FLOWER, CHOI&CHOI Gallery, Seoul
- Futility (無用 / 무용), Lee Tae-soo, Yoonwi-dong, Two Person Exhibition, THEO Gallery, Seoul
2021
- Balanced Vol.3 - Ah-bin Shim, Won Seoungwon, Taesoo Lee, B-tree Gallery, Seoul
- Sool Sool, Connecting and Discovering, Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation, Seoul
2020
- Moment to Moment, CHOI&LAGER Gallery, Cologne
- Han River, Free Zone, City of Lost Rivers, Gimpo Art Village Art Center, Gimpo
- Matter, Insa Art Center, Seoul
- Spring Waiting, Gallery Art-M, Gwangmyeong
2019
- Media Attribute, Space K, Gwacheon
- Invitational Exhibition Modern Korea Sculpture, MBC Hobangwangjang, Chuncheon
- Changwon Asia Art Festival, Sungsan Art hall, Changwon
- Affaire de Coeur 5, Lee Eugean Gallery, Seoul
2018
- Lee Taesoo & Kim Sunhyuk, Blackstone Gallery, Icheon Beyond the Frame, Forest of Wisdom, Paju
- International Sculpture Symposium, Icheon Art Hall Gallery, Icheon
- 십전십미(十全十美) China-Korea Contemporary Sculpture Exchange Exhibition, Hangzhou
- Secretsalon, Gallery WON, Seoul
- Gallery 9P Anniversary Exhibition, Gallery 9P, Seoul
2017
- Memento mori, Kunst1, Seoul
- ArtN Work ‘Culture&Art Project’, SJ Kunst Halle, Seoul
- Modern Boy Artist Collaboration, Yesultong Namhakdang, Seoul
- 氣 물질과 생명, Jungnang Art Center, Seoul
2009
- New Generation, Kring, Seoul
2008
- Touchable & Visible, Touch-art Gallery, Heyri
- Space Explorer, Beijing
2007
- Jongchon Have it in Our Heart, Jongchon
- Sound of Mind, Shin Museum of Art, Cheongju
AWARDS
2018 Grand Prize, International Sculpture Festa, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul
PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS
2019
- Media Attribute, Space K, Gwacheon Spyder Korea Seoul - Apgujeong, Seoul
- Gwangmyeong Taeyoung Desian, Gwangmyeong
2018
- National Intangible Heritage Center, Jeonju
2017
- LH Daegu Sinseo Innovation City, Daegu
2015
- Sejong Government Complex, Sejong
2013
- Booyoung Group - Namyang Namgwang-Sinwoo Apartment Complex
2012
- Booyoung Group - Chuncheon, Chiljeon Apartment Complex
- LH Sejongsi Cheotmaeul Apt., Sejong LH Daejeon Noeun District 3, Daejeon
RESIDENCIES
2019 Gana Foundation Residency - Jangheung Atelier
Stone composition 028 I 2022 Mixed media (EPS, Poly-urea, Paint on Stone coat, Inox, LED) 90 x 60 x 180 (h) cm (incl. Base)
H-beam composition I 2020, Paint on EPS, 90 x 90 x 200 cm
H-beam composition I 2018 mixed media, 90 x 60 x 85 cm
