From Lee’s Point of View

Art x Outfit Edit #33

A few months ago, walking through the Asian aisle of the Met, I stumbled upon one of Lee Ufan’s work. The Korean artist is a key member of the Japanese Mono-ha movement, born in the 1960s. Mono-ha means “School of Things” and the aesthetic value rejects Western modern art standards. Specifically the primacy of the distinct art object emanating from a single unique artist.

Lee Ufan and the Mono-ha movement focus on the fact that an object is embedded with meaning through space and location while those, concomitantly, gain meaning in conjunction with the object placed in them. Consequently, interpretation is a question of point of view and varies depending on each person’s experiences and value system.

In this framework, the installation, sculpture or artwork is as important as the space it is displayed in and the viewer exposed to it. These interact to create an evolving, always changing artwork. Lee Ufan is famous for site-specific installations and the use of steel. He is also famous for his subdued hues visible on the painting From Point (No.750710) from 1975 (UNAW Gallery, Seoul, Busan). Across his paintings, Lee uses muted colors on light and plain backgrounds. Referencing East Asian calligraphy, his bold brushstrokes swiftly fade into the lighter background.

Art’s interpretation is a question of time and place, and like in fashion, movements and style fall in and out of the zeitgeist. They are constantly reinterpreted and evoke a variety of references depending on countries or generations. This look reinterprets some of the classics like the denim jacket, with a contemporary edge. It is a versatile look that could be seen on fashionistas in Paris or college students in Seoul…