Hong Seung-Hye’s Theatrical Exploration of Time in Abstract, Computer-Aided Artworks

Hong Seung-Hye, About Frame, 2014. Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery.

Hong Seung-Hye's Theatrical Exploration of Time in Abstract, Computer-Aided Artworks

Hong Seung-Hye, a pioneer in computer-aided abstract art, explores the concept of time in her works for nearly 40 years.
Using technology like Photoshop and Illustrator, she creates intricate patterns and repeated images, emphasizing the passage of time and its variations.
Through captivating performances and immersive experiences, Hong’s art prompts the audience to reflect on the cyclical nature of time and its impact on human existence.

This article is a collaboration with the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS).

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or almost four decades, Hong Seung-Hye has been an innovator in the world of computer graphic design tools, creating art that delves into the concept of time. From her debut solo exhibition in Seoul in 1986, where she showcased her renowned series "Over the Layers" and "Organic Geometry," Hong has continuously expanded her artistic repertoire. Her work now encompasses flat and 3D artwork, sound pieces, architecture, and more recently, captivating performances reminiscent of stage productions.

Hong’s pioneering use of computer tools for abstract painting has allowed her to explore the passage of time and the ever-changing nature of everything within it. Through her art, she questions whether time can flow, be crossed or placed, gathered up, and recorded. She also contemplates how to best represent time, intertwining her interest in memory with the manipulation and reconstruction of temporal elements. This investigation into time allows her to view the future from the lens of the present.

Utilizing technology such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and older Windows drawing programs, Hong freely draws, cuts, copies, pastes, and modifies her artwork. Starting with simple lines, her creations evolve into intricate grids that span from human body-sized structures to entire architectural spaces. By employing repeated patterns using basic shapes like dots, lines, and planes, she masterfully demonstrates how repetition can generate variations and create a unique identity for each pattern. The fusion of technology and sound in her video works further accentuates the characteristics of time, with music resembling the minimalist compositions of Steve Reich.

In her recent works, including “Over the Layers II” and the performance piece “Moonlight,” Hong crafts a carefully planned construction of time and space akin to a theatrical production. Her performance art explores the cyclical rhythm of time, symbolized by the moon’s phases, and juxtaposes geometric structures that represent the human body with performers’ everyday movements. Through this immersive experience, she prompts the audience to contemplate the continuous cycle of time, simultaneously representing the past, present, and future.

Unlike her earlier monochrome works, Hong’s recent sculptures are vibrant and resemble props on a stage, blurring the line between artistic object and theatrical element. By transforming abstract concepts into lively performances that resonate with reality, Hong invites viewers to reflect on the profound impact of time on their lives.

In conclusion, Hong Seung-Hye’s artistic journey has been a fascinating exploration of time, manifested through her abstract, computer-aided artworks and captivating performances. Her unique perspective and theatrical approach have allowed her to present the dynamic nature of time and its impact on human existence, sparking introspection and contemplation in the minds of her audience.