Noodle art a feast for the eyes
Sang-Wook Lee, assistant professor of art at GCSU and artist of “19620,” “Noodle Noodle” and “Ramen Noodle: 2008,” is not only famous in a small town, he is making national news.
Born and raised in South Korea, Lee earned his BFA and MFA from Dong-A University. He majored in Textile Design before coming to the United States and attending the University of Georgia where he received a second Master’s degree in same course of study.
Lee was recently featured on CNN News in a segment titled, “Amazing Noodle Art!” The segment features Lee and various students discussing his piece, “Noodle Noodle,” on exhibition now at Emory University.
Unlike many artists, Lee did not always know what he wanted to be.
“In Korea’s system, you have to decide your major before you get into the school. I hadn’t had any experience before getting in college, so pretty much people told me that the fiber is good, and that it’s going to be a good major that I can study,” Lee said.
While Lee was a graduate student at Dong-A University, Glen Kaufman, professor of art and Fabric Design chair at the University of Georgia, guest lectured at the university.
“He liked my work, and we had a good connection,” Lee said.
Kaufman and Lee kept in contact, and after another visit, Kaufman suggested Lee come to the United States.
“At that time I had no idea about American culture. I had not any plan or anything. That’s when I came here,” Lee said.
Though he had no intent on teaching or even staying in the United States, Lee was soon offered a part-time position.
“I really like it a lot because the teaching job has given me a lot of extra time to work on my own work, and this is what I want. So give me an opportunity. I can do both, and I can survive,” Lee said.
Lee’s latest piece of art, “Ramen Noodle: 2008,” is a representation of mystery, culture and memory.
Made from nearly 7,000 packages of Ramen noodles, Lee describes his work as “mysterious architecture.”
Not fully appreciating Ramen noodles until his move to the United States, he now realizes how important culture is.
“When you’re there (Korea), you don’t really think about your background, but when I moved here, I started to realize about how important it is – about my culture,” Lee said.
“Ramen Noodle for me is – I guess it’s kind of memories from when I was young,” Lee said. “Something the Koreans believe noodles celebration or long life.”
Also influenced by American architecture, Lee noticed the striking differences between Korean apartment complexes and American brick house. Lee’s research of the Native American ruins of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico helped to influence his piece as well.
“Everything here: contemporary art, geometry shapes, I was trying to combine those two things together: Native American mysterious and Ramen Noodle Asian Culture,” Lee said.
Along with approximately nine other art students, sophomore art major, Casey Sullivan will be traveling to Jacksonville to help with the installation of Lee’s “Ramen Noodle: 2008.”
“I am really excited about it,” Sullivan said. “I love that he’s all about getting the students involved. I’m glad that he gets to share his experience with us and allow for us to have a really incredible experience as undergraduate students learning about sculpture which is something that we really need at Georgia College and State (University).”
Recently displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Atlanta, “Noodle Noodle” is currently on show at Emory University until Jan. 26. The exhibition will feature an artist talk by Lee on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. “Ramen Noodle: 2008” will be on exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla. Jan. 25 through April 6.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 18 2008. Filed under Features.
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