Anna HAN

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Anna HAN

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Creators from abroad)
Activity Based	Seoul
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2024.5 - 2024.7

Purpose of the residency

My purpose for this residency is to integrate Japanese aesthetics into my painting and installation. As my installation work has been inspired by specific spaces, the new challenge in Japan will enrich my practice. I will explore Japanese folktales, as narrative qualities are currently one of my focuses. Additionally, I'll research unique minimalist aesthetics in Japanese architecture and see what Junichiro Tanizaki has observed in shadows, potentially incorporating them into my final installation. I will also continue making drawings on paper.

Plan during the residency

• Research Japanese architectures and related history for inspiration. I will also explore Japanese traditional folktales for research purposes.
  
• Create drawings and paintings on paper: Produce small studies incorporating geometric forms, maps, and images gathered from research.
• Find a suitable space where I could make small studies for installation work or practice the use of light and shadow.
  
• Collaborate with local media artists, potentially including a sound artist.
• Prepare for an open studio or exhibition featuring an installation work, possibly incorporating collaborated pieces.

Activities during the residency

While I was at TOKAS, I invested my time researching the idea of shadow in Japan and learning how they use it aesthetically. I visited several traditional houses to see examples of it, especially within the architectural space. I made four small study-like installations based on the idea, exploring how shadow can be used as a medium and different ways to express the idea of shadow. I used washi, sumi, LED, silk, paint, and sound in these projects.
I also made watercolor paintings while I was at TOKAS. I wanted to see how Japanese folk tales could inspire me and transfer narrative qualities into paintings with formal elements. It was somewhat challenging because I had never used watercolor in my painting. I made 5-6 small paintings for this series.

Outcome of the residency

I focused on my proposal and worked really hard on it. I have no regrets about working hard, but I wish there had been more room to simply enjoy the culture, so I could have learned and been inspired by the unexpected. I felt I was too drawn into the project. I should have gone out more.

Creator Information