As part of the Lecture Series at the Institute for Korean Studies (IKS) of Freie Universität Berlin, which is organized by DAAD-Star-Professor Hyo-Je Cho, on November 16th artist Han Geumsun gave a special lecture on the topic "Fall into disfavor: An artist´s journey into the world of the down-and-out".

 

Han Geumsun’s lecture was a combination of personal reflection and a series of photo shows. Han started her talk by taking a bird’s eye view of the modern history of Korea, its achievements and sufferings, its despair as well as hope. It was followed by three-part series of photo presentation, each of which represented different aspect of human rights in contemporary Korea.

The first series dealt with the reality associated with the division of Korean peninsula at the end of the world war two and the consequences of its continuing separation. Han’s haunting images of those Korean families—South as well as North—who were forced to separate from each other poignantly captured the very source of pain many Koreans still acutely feel.

The next series described the stark contrast between the extremely rich segment of society and the extremely deprived community. This disparity, according her, was caused by the rapid expansion of economy at the expense of those who were left behind. The focus of her attention was revolved around a place in the south of Han river where new high rises of luxurious apartment blocks were standing side by side with those urban shanty town. The comparison took a striking note which left an indelible mark on the mind of the audience.

The final series touched upon the sight of the large-scale civil engineering work which was currently underway in the major rivers in the country. The construction project has been a source of great controversy recently because it has not only been done without due consideration of the environmental protection, but also trampled on the livelihood of ordinary peasants who depended their livelihood on the rivers. There has been a complete reversal of meaning in the project, i.e. from a nominal policy for the protection of rivers to an indiscriminate exploitation of rivers.

 

 

Background information on Han:

Han, Geum-sun studied psychology at college in Seoul, and photography at ICART Photo and Paris 8 School in Paris. She has focused her attention on those down-and-outs such as under-privileged senior citizens and children on the street. Her portrayal of these neglected subjects has received critical acclaims and earned her wide public recognition. She is considered to be among a very few professional photographers in contemporary Korea who attempt to combine artistic expressions of social suffering with concern for raising public awareness on these issues. Currently, Han works as the art director for a monthly The Human Rights, the official publication of the Human Rights Commission of Korea.

 

Group Exhibition:    

‘The River’ ’ Ryugaheon, Seoul, 2010  /‘Angle & Spring’ Ryugaheon, Seoul, 2010 / ‘The photographes of the year 2010’, Iloom, Seoul, 2010 / ‘The innocent world’, Gwanghwamoon, Seoul, 2009/'Out of the World’. Cheongjoo Arts Center, Chungcheongdo, 2009 / 'Africa'(planning; Peace Friends) kyunghyang Gallery, Seoul, 2008  /'Flavor of Asia', (planning; APCEIU), Korea Cultural Center Gallery, Seoul, 2008 / 'Jealousy is my work force' Choongjunggac, Seoul. 2008Angkor Wat Photo Festival, Siem Reap, 2006 / 'Wherever it blossoms, isn’t it flower?', National Human Right Commission,  Shinhan Gallery, Seoul, 2006 / 'Men brighten up the world', Green Foundation, Insa Art Center, Seoul, 2006 / 'Regenerations Urbaines', CMAV, Toulouse, France, 2005 /' Korea’s 33 Documentary Photographers', Donggang Photo Festival,  Kangwon-do, 2004 /  'Hype Galleries', Palais Tokyo, Paris, 2004 /  'Heyri Festival', Paju Art Village, Kyunggi-do, 2004 / ' Fall into disfavor', National Human Rights Commission, Dukwon Gallery, Seoul,  2003 /  'A halted moment', Montpellier, France, 2003

 

Solo Exhibition: 

‘A boundless flower, A desolate peace’, Kwanhun gallery, Seoul, 2009 /

 'The children abandoned', Bresson Gallery, Seoul, 2008 /

'Gypsy, Wind Bird, Wind Flower', Artbits Gallery, Seoul, 2007