[사진작가 주명덕] Photographer casts critical gaze at cities

2008.12.1

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Half of the world's population lives in cities.

Giant screens replay the same advertisement over and over, gray buildings block the sunlight and flashy neon signs annoy people everyday.

In the exhibition "Cityscape," at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in Tongui-dong, photographer Joo Myung Duck exhibits the results of his critical scrutiny of the city. His 75 photos reveal the hidden vanity of cities, where advertising seems to control the unconsciousness of urbanites but offers nothing of value.

Joo is a renowned Korean photographer who has been shooting photos for more than 45 years. He is famous for his documentary photos that focus on crucial social issues and disappearing cultural heritages.

"Mr. Holt's Orphanage," his exhibition in 1996, displayed photos of war orphans. These first documentary photos by a Korean photographer created a great sensation, when most photos taken in Korea were elegant indoor shots.

This time, Joo spotlights cityscapes, perhaps to raise alarm over how big and vain cities have become. The exhibition displays cityscapes from various spots in Seoul such as Gwanghwamun and Yeouido, as well as Ilsan, where he lives.

"Yeouido," Joo Myung Duck, Type C-print, 2008 Joo Myung Duck

"Joo tried to show the beautiful sides of our cities as well, but we can easily find his critical views," said Park Ju-seok, a professor of photography at Myongji University and the director of this exhibition at the press conference last Tuesday. "He seems to think of this city as not a real one but rather a virtual one built with overflowing images and media," Park said.

Not surprisingly, Joo's cityscapes are packed with buildings and neon signs. Advertisements of beautiful women, icons produced by mass media, throw luring glances to nowhere, masking a reality that lies beneath the veneer.

"Advertisements are almost like a religion these days," said Joo. "It seems as if Seoul is practically invaded by them."

Joo's way of criticizing is quiet but powerful. He takes a step backwards and records the city from a certain distance, most passers-by would see it. By sharing this point of view, viewers can more easily understand what Joo meant to say.

Daelim Contemporary Art Museum will hold two more exhibitions of Joo's work focusing on people's homes in 2009 and 2010. Joo's work can still be found there after that, since the museum plans to collect all his work and records to establish a Joo Myung Duck archive.

"We are up to this task, which has a very significant meaning in the history of Korean photography," said Park.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 18 at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in central Seoul. Tickets are 4,000 won for adults and 2,000 won for students. For more information, call (02) 720-0667 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)