SEARCHING FOR THE ORIGIN OF EXISTENCE
Minamishima Hiroshi (Art Critic)


It`s just clear and sharp experience. Do you remember Korean artist KeunByung Yook in the opening of 'Eight individuals from East' of Exhibit Space in Shakacho in March , 1990? He one said at that time "Please look my singing body closely." He was singing song, 'Morning Dew' sung by Korean singer Kim, Min-Kih , with naked upper half of his body. Surprisingly we could see his body shining. We were all amazed. It`s like miracle. How could his body shine like that? Of course many questions shot at him.
And how about the sound trembling of his lips and uvula? It made him keep his existence firmly like the lord of this earth. And also we could hear a voice protesting against something.
We couldn`t resist some force to make us return to somewhere through his falsetto which lead us to face with his living works. So we could appreciate again his topos which enables Yook to compose a source of light in his existence.
Furthermore the song 'Morning Dew' sung by Kim, Min-Kih who was activist for democracy, represents Yook`s continual resistance with soft encouraged his spirit of resistance more strongly.
We can find some common point between artist KeunByung and singer Kim , Min-Kih. It`s just the will overcoming suffering. Both of Yook`s body and Kim`s voice made us feel power which comes from this earth. Therefore we all couldn`t but thrill before him in that night. We also experienced suffering which was inevitable for us to tell from the false illumination and to deny a certain regim disguised with the name of nation or nationality and also to reach the essence of topos.
We human beings can`t live even a day without confirmation of our identity in existence so this topos is the same with a kind of nation overflowing with light of man`s prediction.

In the case of Yook, his artistic expression like inspiration, drawing or singing represent to look into our body. He was once substitute winner of former Sao Paulo Biennale '89 and finally he was Selected for the 9th Kassel Documenta. There is no special impression because this event was so natural to us.

Now let`s think over his artistic will which needs to reach the origin of human existence. For this artistic purpose he never cease his strife in works.
He knows well that to search for the origin of our existence is just the only was to rescue us from universal suffering in these days. We can never forget Yook`s serious effort to search for the light origin of existence inspire of his enough conceive about pain. The more this world becomes dark the more Yook`s source of light bright in his works.

I am asking you seriously, do you really have courage to take off your clothes? Only for the those who can do that Yook`s source of light will be come more closely.