Seoul's Neon Nostalgia
2021, 2022, 2023 Installation l LED, Lighting
The city of Seoul is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between the modern and the historic, the digital and the analog. As RGB lights illuminate traditional analog signboards, a symphony of club music intertwined with siren sounds emerges, embodying the city's intricate dance of time and technology.
This audacious juxtaposition reveals a striking tableau: the 21st-century neon-lit Seoul stands across a crosswalk from its 20th-century analog counterpart. They face each other, nearly touching yet distinctly separate, offering a visual narrative of a city ever-evolving but deeply rooted in its past. This structure underscores how contemporary Seoul remains intertwined with its historical fabric, even as they stand in stark contrast.
The searchlights, which operate amidst the echoing sirens, conjure memories of an industrial era where their purpose — be it for protection or threat — remained ambiguous. Yet, as one delves deeper, they also become a dazzling homage to the resilience and sacrifices of the 20th century. The people who endured hardships, yet perennially rose, preparing for the future. This installation captures this tribute not in a somber or melancholic manner but with the bright and vivid hues of gratitude and reverence.