A reception will take place the same evening of the opening (March 16) from 6pm to 8pm.
Sungwook (Jake) Seo is a Korean-born artist, currently residing in Fort Lee, NJ. He moved to the United States in 2002 to study art administration. After graduating, Sungwook extended his activities as a commercial painting salesman, project manager in an art management company, reporter for an art magazine, and a columnist for an art website. These experiences have been an asset for him to focus on developing his art consistently, and are the roots of his insight into what he expresses.
His solo shows include: On the Nature at the Nahrah Gallery, NJ, 2009 and The Story of Autumn, Manhasset Art Gallery, Manhasset, NY, 2007. For more information visit www.jakeseo.com
Sungwook's statement about the Laundromat exhibit:
"Upon my arrival to the United States in 2002, I have been going to the Laundromat at least once a week. It's become one of the most important tasks in my living. In the midst of my daily chores, I found the inspiration to tell my story in a pile of stacked up clothes. I saw in the clothes aspects of my life and the society that I reside in.
The colors of the fabric symbolized the different races of people, while the various materials and textures reflected the different cultures, beliefs, and personalities. The neatly piled up clothes reminded me of the structure and order within our society. Because of this order, we are better able to enjoy freedom and individuality. Although each piece of clothing was unique with its own distinctive colors and style, it came together to form a harmonious pattern, just as the different types of people come together to commingle in our society.
I believe that the power of New York City is coming from diversity. Various cultures showing from more than 100 countries has become a main stream to develop its economy and culture. We could meet diverse cultures from people's faces or behaviors, and in any place like Time Square, Subways, or Festival parade. Among a bunch of places we could go, I could see the aspect of diversity at Laundromat, and a pile of stacked up clothes look like the city and America where different colors and personalities are living together.
The Laundromat was no longer just a place to wash clothes, but it was a place that narrated the stories of the hard working people that make up our society, both immigrants and non-immigrants alike. Traces of their lives and stories were left on the clothes. As these clothes were washed and neatly folded, they came to symbolize the people's hopes and dreams for the future.
This project was produced with three different aspects in mind. In the first way, the various colors in the clothes were treated as paint itself. Just as an artist would play with paint on a palette, distributing and combining colors to create a harmonious hue, the colors on the textile were treated the same way. The clothes were arranged and positioned to create a new shade, and photographs were taken. The process was very much like the process of working with paint on a palette.
In the second way, the folded clothes were used as the background of the project. The subject matters portrayed in the foreground were the stories of my life that I wanted to share. The natural shape of the clothes not only fit the theme of the subject matter, but it also gave visual interest to the viewer.
Lastly, the clothes were used to portray specific images. The reddening sky of the sunset or the glowing night sky was expressed by piling up clothes with corresponding colors. In effect, this was a process of creating another story using the color and texture combinations of the different clothes.
America, my new home, is a land where people with all different races, cultures, beliefs, and personalities live together. I wanted to tell the stories of these people, and the harmony that exists by utilizing the clothes found at the Laundromat. It is my belief that by learning to appreciate the different people and trying to understand the textures of their lives, I will come to a better understanding of my own color, texture, and purpose."
About bergenPAC
Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat Bergen Performing Arts Center, or bergenPAC, is the area's cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that reaches more than 30,000 students annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, "hands-on" training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, membership, and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.