INA JANG "Radiator Theatre"

"I always had a fascination about the leftover shapes... I was wondering what would be the afterlife of these shapes- it’s right there, created and beautiful."

WELCOME TO SEOUL! THE EXHIBITION OPENING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. HOW DO YOU FEEL TO PRESENT THE WORKS IN KOREA FOR THE FIRST TIME?

It’s very exciting, and also at the same time emotional in a way. I left Seoul years ago and now I am back to show my work - when I lived here I didn’t even think of becoming a photographer. I don’t dwell in the past often, but being in Seoul brought back some memories. It’s good to be back.

YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXHIBITED IN NEW YORK, ZURICH, TOKYO, AND SEVERAL OTHER MAJOR CITIES. WHAT MADE YOU TO PRESENT THE NEWEST WORK IN SEOUL?

First of all, I don’t know a lot about the art scene in Seoul, but I could sense that there is something exciting happening. I sort of became an observer who sometimes visits Seoul as a tourist. And every time I visit, I can tell that there is a really good energy coming out from the city - even when compared to New York or Tokyo.

GOING ONTO ‘RADIATOR THEATRE’, THE SERIES IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS PROJECTS. WHAT TRIGGERED YOU TO DEVELOP THE? WHAT WAS ON YOUR MIND?

It was an organic process. I was working on three different projects at the same time when I was working on ‘Utopia’ in 2016. The others being ‘Mrs.Dalloway’ and ‘Untitled (Titled)’ which became the beginning of ‘Radiator Theatre’. I was reading through lots of books, essays and articles, and what’s happening in the world. I felt a need for some space to focus on my inner voice - an outlet that I can put my sensibility as the most important factor of the work rather than the politics.

ONE OF THE UNIQUE QUALITIES IN THE SERIES IS SHAPES THAT ARE FORMED IN ABSTRACT MANNER. HOW ARE THEY FASHIONED AND DEVELOPED? WE ARE AWARE OF HOW YOU START A PROCESS BY SKETCHING IDEAS FIRST ON THE PAPER.

I always had a fascination about the leftover shapes. I use paper as a main material when I work on personal projects or assignments. Naturally, I see a pile of paper cut-outs that are left out when I’m done with a shoot. I was wondering what would be the afterlife of these shapes. So, I had a strong curiosity and desire to make images of them over the years. And, I started photographing shapes on top of my radiator - which evolved to be ‘Radiator Theatre’.

THE TITLE ‘RADIATOR THEATRE’ IN ITSELF IS QUITE SPECIAL. IS THERE A PERSONAL REASON TO NAME IT AS ‘THEATRE’? HOW RELATED ARE THE COMPOSED SHAPES TO THE TITLE?

The title embodies lots of meanings. The work started from being arranged on top of the radiator since it is where I get first sunlights in the apartment. I used direct sunlight in the images - I like that we all share the sun and create something under its generosity. Then again, it was not easy working under direct sun near the radiator, and moving little set ups as the sun moves. I would normally end up in sweats after a long day of wrestling with the sets. I started thinking about my performance as a photographer in the apartment. I was captivated by all these definitions and possibilities of theatre. Not to mention that the set-ups look like stages as well.

THE WORK TITLE IS EYE CATCHING AS WELL. IT CREATES ANOTHER DIMENSION, ADDING MORE FLAVOR TO THE OVERALL COMPOSITION. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?

It’s hard to put it in words (!!!). Simply put, I think of a sound that could speak to as many people as possible in any culture. You don’t need to understand its definition but you can relate because of the sound of it. That is one of the most important factor to decide a title. I always like using lower cases for titles as well - besides ‘Utopia’ series - because it feels less authoritative.

"..what I cannot express in range of languages I speak I thought I can do it without saying anything which basically is the work. That is why I always think my photography is a bridge between the gaps I speak and write."

WE BELIEVE YOU SPEAK THREE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. WOULD YOU SAY ABILITY TO SPEAK MULTIPLE LANGUAGES SHAPED HOW YOU IMAGINE OR CREATE THESE TITLES AND WORDS? COULD YOU ELABORATE ON YOUR DEFINITION OF LANGUAGE?

It is poetic to speak multiple languages. Even when it’s imperfect, there is a certain range of language you understand and speak. As you merge with other cultures other than your mother tongue, we develop unquestionable ‘poetic-ness’ in speaking a foreign language. The beauty of mixing words. There is a playfulness built with empathy in creating something new. I really like that about speaking languages, learning different cultures and mixing old and new - mixing painting and photography- the ambiguity you get to explore.

WHAT ROLE DOES IT PLAY ON YOU AS AN ARTIST? HOW SUCH AMBIGUITY IS CONNECTED WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK YOU PRODUCE?

I cannot speak perfect English, perfect Japanese and even perfect Korean (who does!?). My work is what I cannot express in range of spoken languages. That is why my work always has been a bridge filling the gaps among spoken and written languages. The visual language which cannot be separated from who I am.

LASTLY TO GIVE A SNEAK PEAK, IS THERE ANY FUTURE PROJECT WE MIGHT LOOK FORWARD TO?

I’m finally about to finish the body of work, but I still have almost sixty images. It’s a big body of work as the initial idea was to create a book. It’s about to come to an end, but I still have so much fun with it. I am not exhausted with the idea. It’s really up to me how I’ll let it go. Besides ‘Radiator Theatre’, the next one I am eager to make is more directly linked to the power of language and politics of it - to spoil a little bit it’s inspired by Korean culture. So I’m super excited!