Contemporary Art and Culture

https://artspiel.org/kejoo-park-a-reflective-landscape-architect-turned-visual-artist/

Posted on August 24, 2024 by Anna Mikaela Ekstrand
 

Kejoo Park: A Reflective Landscape Architect Turned Visual Artist
 

Living in Europe how do you engage with your Korean heritage in your everyday life and how do you see these experiences spill into your artistic practice? 

I’ve lived in various cities across the U.S., Switzerland, and now Frankfurt, Germany. In each place, I immersed myself in the richness of different cultures, absorbing the lessons they offered. It was during my time in Europe that I became increasingly aware of the ecological aspects of design – a realization that came early, just as the world began to awaken to the environmental consciousness we see today.

From a distance, my perspective on Korea began to shift. I found myself seeing my homeland more objectively, with a clarity that had eluded me in earlier years. Through this journey, I have become even more connected to my Korean heritage, cherishing its culture. I feel a deepening emotional connection to my roots, and as I grow, so does my appreciation for Korea, the place that shaped me.

Yet, much like in my paintings, I live in the duality of two worlds. I have become a humble citizen of the world, embracing both the East and the West. My heritage has become more of a state of mind rather than a daily reality due to the small size of the Korean community in Europe. All these experiences are reflected in and influence my artworks, which I now consider a synthesis of my personal, professional, and artistic experiences.
 

You were educated in landscape architecture at Harvard in the 1980s and taught at the summer school there as well as Yonsei University in Korea and University of Stuttgart in Germany. How has the academic field and professional approach to landscape architecture changed with time? 

When I completed my studies in landscape architecture at Harvard, my focus was primarily on viewing landscape architecture as an art form. However, my perspective began to shift as I ventured into Europe, where the field was deeply influenced by the unique contexts of place and ecology.

At the University of Stuttgart, I worked at the Institute of Landscape Planning and Ecology, where I witnessed firsthand how Germany leads in environmental protection – socially, politically, and in daily life. This experience profoundly expanded my awareness of the environment and reshaped my approach to design.

Years of working in Switzerland and Germany further deepened this transformation. I evolved from a purely artistic perspective to one that integrates ecological consciousness into planning and design. These experiences have continuously shifted my viewpoint, and I am deeply grateful for how they have shaped my philosophy and approach, both in landscape architecture and in my art.
 

I really like the inclusion of the Joseph Beuys work in the exhibition Echoes in Time tell me more about how you decided to include these pieces and what they mean to you. 

Discovering Joseph Beuys’ project 7000 Oaks on 22nd Street some years ago was accidental, but it became a pivotal moment that inspired me to create my series Visible-Invisible. The more I explored and studied his works, the more I appreciated his art and ideas. Inspired by Beuys, I felt compelled to incorporate elements of his work into my own projects, aiming to share the profound vision and ideas of this remarkable artist.
 

Earlier this year you were a resident at Residency Unlimited, a residency program in New York. How did you engage with the city when you were here and what creative inspiration did it spark that we might see in your upcoming work?

I was particularly impressed by some younger artists who are integrating technology into their art more actively than I have. This has made me to think on the use of these mediums in my own work. While I still believe that visual art involves a significant element of execution and craft, I can’t ignore the spirit of our times, which calls for a deeper engagement with these technologies.

I now feel it is essential to further explore and incorporate these mediums into my practice, especially given the pressing need for environmental protection. Technology can no longer be overlooked in this context. This realization has led me to reflect more on the interdependence between the “natural” and the “artificial.”

In my next installation, I plan to create an interdisciplinary work that integrates more digital media and music, focusing on the theme of Earth and the environment.
 

“Kejoo Park: Echoes in Time” curated by Irene Gong is open July 26 – August 28th at Space776 37-39 Clinton St, 10002, NY NY. 
 

About the Writer: Anna Mikaela Ekstrand is a Swedish/Guyanese/American writer, researcher, and curator interested in feminism, social practice, and decolonization and the founding editor-in-chief of Cultbytes. Anna Mikaela holds dual master’s degrees in art and design history from Stockholm University and Bard Graduate Center. Her latest books are “Assuming Asymmetries. Conversations on Curating Public Art Projects in the 1980s and 1990s” and “Curating Beyond the Mainstream,” published by Sternberg Press in 2022. She is co-curator of “The Immigrant Artist Biennial 2023: Contact Zone” and the organization’s Associate Director.