UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary: Christine Lee contributes to Celebratory Publication on UNESCO’s Literacy Concept and Ik-Joong Kang's "Power of Youth"
KANG, Ik-Joong
Power of Youth, 2007
Mixed media - crayon, rice paper and plastic on wood
211 x 211 cm
Date of entry at UNESCO - December 2007
© All rights reserved - Photo: UNESCO/P. Lagès
OPENART News - UNESCO's 75th Anniversary
Christine Lee contributes to UNESCO’s 75th Celebratory Publication on UNESCO’s Literacy Concept and Ik-Joong Kang's Artwork "Power of Youth" 2007 in their art collection.
In commemoration of UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary, a presentation of the publication titled, 75th Anniversary, UNESCO Art Collection, highlighting 75 artworks from their diverse art collection took place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 6:30 pm CEST at UNESCO’s headquarter in Paris, France. The 75th celebratory publication featured 75 of UNESCO’s critical concepts in connection with 75 selected artworks from their art collection,
The event at UNESCO included Director-General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay joined by UNESCO’s art collection team and contributors from around the world with live streaming.
I was honored to have been invited by UNESCO’s wonderful and dedicated team to contribute to this beautiful publication and event by writing and speaking about the relevance of Ik-Joong Kang’s artwork, “Power of Youth” in association with UNESCO’s commitment to Literacy around the world. Since 1946, UNESCO has been at the forefront of advancing their vision for improving literacy worldwide through their innovative approaches aimed at eliminating cultural and linguistic barriers through education, the sciences, culture, and communication.
Christine Lee
Founder & Director, OPENART Advisory + Projects
Founder, Christine Lee Art Advisory
Art Advisor, Writer & Curator
Video addressing the member states' representatives on Ik-Joong Kang’s work “Power of Youth” in association with UNESCO’s core concept Literacy during presentation event at UNESCO in Paris*
Hello, my name is Christine Lee, I am an art writer and founder of OPENART Advisory in New York City. I’m honored to be a part of UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary celebration, and thankful for this opportunity to participate by writing about Korean artist Ik-Joong Kang in UNESCO’s Art collection highlighting his work, “Power of Youth”. This is a very special work associated with UNESCO’s commitment to literacy. Since 1946, UNESCO has been at the forefront of advancing their vision for improving literacy worldwide through their innovative approaches aimed at eliminating cultural and linguistic barriers.
This significant work, “Power of Youth” is a piece that celebrates the Korean language, and is about hope, community and the power of children to change the world for a better future. The work was presented to UNESCO in 2007 by the artist and Republic of Korea, to share the spirit of the Korean alphabet, Hangul. It is composed of colorful, 3 x 3 wooden blocks which Kang often employs in his works, and is assembled with a variety of materials and subjects including Hangul phrases and moon jars that explore the importance of the Korean language and culture.
The title “Power of Youth” comes from an essay by a legendary writer, Min Tae-Won who was born in 1894. Min inspired Koreans during a challenging time in history with his writings.
In this essay, he wrote about the possibilities of the human spirit while referencing the power and strength of youth as metaphors for hope and renewal. Kang has stated previously on how he perceives the blocks in this piece: “I look at each block as a small window in which we can peer through. Through these windows are what I believe to be our ultimate dream of salvation and hope for humanity.”
Within the context of Ik-Joong Kang’s works, Hangul phrases, traditional moon jars and 3 by 3 inch canvases all have a particular relevance and have appeared repeatedly in his artistic practice. His small blocks are often created with a diverse range of images and collages that convey everyday thoughts to larger narratives centered on hope, dreams, harmony and togetherness which can be seen in his international projects such as “100,000 Dreams” created in 1999 and “Amazed World” from 2001-2002”, both projects which were made in collaboration with children and volunteers from around the world.
I would like to thank and send my gratitude to UNESCO and their Collection team for inviting me to participate in this amazing 75th Anniversary Celebration!
Thank you!
Christine Lee, Founder of OPENART Advisory + Projects and Christine Lee Art Advisory
For further information:
christine@openartadvisory.com
+917.224.0680
www.openartadvisory.com
https://christineleeartadvisory.com/
*The event for UNESCO’s 75th Anniversary Publication presentation took
place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at UNESCO, Paris, France and live
streamed via Zoom