Jewellery & Metal (MA)
Seeun Kim
<THE AGENDA PROJECT>
Today, our society is composed of various types of people. Because of this, I think that the responsibility of the individual extends beyond themselves and encompasses their role in the community. The problems that individuals face, the problems faced by society and the state will differ depending on what society they are in and what institutions they have. In the end, I think the reason for the existence of the community is to make us more advanced and happy. Perhaps today we already think of the world in terms of it being an international family or a global society. Thus, I undertook this project with the hope of living in a society where everyone can live with a smile.
‘THE AGENDA PROJECT’ consists of four themes which are related to the diverse social issues in our society. I would like to convey my opinions and examine social issues through my project. This project involves jewellery and metal objects based on arts and humanities. I hope that my work will provide the people who appreciate it with an opportunity for self reflection and awareness.
<About Myself>
I am a South Korean jeweller and metal craftsman.
I trained in Japanese traditional handicraft skills and precious metals as an advanced specialist in Japan. Furthermore, as an RCA student, I have learnt a lot about metal craft while attending college in England.
I believe that the human hand is a gift from human evolution. Even though today there are advanced technologies, including the CAD and 3D printing industry, handicraft products have a rareness and beauty compared to mass-produced manmade products. Moreover, there is an inexpressible complexity in the handicraft world that a machine cannot imitate. Thus, I have decided to develop my works more broadly by striking a balance between the tradition and the modern.
If someone asked me why I started learning jewellery and metalcrafts, I would answer that jewellery and metalcrafts are my vocation.
<Education>
2018-2020 Royal College of Art, Jewellery and Metal Course (2-year Full-time Course, MA), London, United Kingdom.
2012-2016 Hiko-Mizuno College of Jewelry, Advanced Jewelry Course (4-year Full-time Course, Advanced Diploma / Graduated with Full-time attendance for 4 years), Tokyo, Japan.
<Exhibitions>
2020- <Royal College of Art Graduate Show 2020> Even if the graduate shows are virtually held because of the Covid-19 situation, our RCA Graduate Show 2020 is held online and simultaneously around the world.
2020- <London x Tokyo Jewellery Cultural Exchange Exhibition> at Sunny Art Centre, London, United Kingdom.
2019- <Matter – Morphosis> Royal College of Art Jewellery & Metal Group Exhibition at Royal College of Art in London, United Kingdom.
2019- <RCA WIP Show 2019> at Royal College of Art in London, United Kingdom.
2016- <Hiko-Mizuno College of Jewelry Graduate Show 2016> in Aoyama Omotesando, Tokyo, Japan.
2015- <Tokyo International Jewellery Exhibition 2015> in Ebisu, Tokyo, Japan.
2015- <South Korea X Japan Cultural Exchange Group Exhibition> in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
2015- <The Gold Ring & Ivory Carving Group Exhibition> in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
2014- <E-cute Jewellery Group Exhibition> in Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan.
2013- <MUG collection> fashion show as a jewellery part in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
2012- <Silver Jewellery Group Exhibition> in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
<The Braille Object Project> — Metal objects and ring objects / Materials : aluminum, bronze, brass, copper, mother of pearl, lacquer and wood / The size of each piece is approximately 5cm*7cm*3cm – 7cm*15cm*10cm
<The Braille Object Project> — Researching on the diverse social issues.
<The Braille Object Project> — Metal objects and ring objects / Materials : aluminum, bronze, brass, copper, mother of pearl, lacquer and wood / The size of each piece is approximately 5cm*7cm*3cm – 7cm*15cm*10cm
<The Braille Object Project> — Ring objects / Materials : aluminum, bronze, brass, copper, mother of pearl, lacquer and wood / The size of each piece is approximately 5cm*7cm*3cm – 7cm*15cm*10cm
![[untitled]](https://res.cloudinary.com/rca2020/image/upload/w_1920,f_auto,q_auto/v1594302154/gatsby-cloudinary/5efcb9fc502953451ad08c78-518469-resize-1920-2560)
However, speaking and listening are not the only the ways of communicating with others. The use of braille as a form of semiotics can be another way of communicating as well. We do not recognise the importance of intangible factors in a modern society. It might be the most important agenda for us to find really worthwhile things in our lives.
Have you considered the disadvantaged citizens in our society? Have you ever tried to communicate with them?
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Silla Collection 100 Project> — 100 Brooch sets / Materials : bronze, stainless steels and natural gemstones / The size of each brooch is approximately 2cm*2cm*0.7cm – 7cm*7cm*3cm / Please refer to the linked video.
Today, as the quality of life for modern people improves, the younger generation is becoming increasingly inclined to prefer expensive luxury goods; thus, expensive jewellery and ornaments have become a symbol of luxury or vanity.
From this point of view, I think it is important to protect the cultural heritage of our ancestors in a modern society. Thus, I would like to leave a message to modern people through this project that it is essential to protect the cultural heritage of our ancestors.
Then why the Silla period?
In the Three Kingdom period of Korea, the development of ornaments was subdivided, and today we can see the extensive history of metal crafts. Among them, the Silla period can be said to be the golden age of the development of Korean ornaments. Silla is the country in which the most brilliant metal culture flourished, and the metal work was prominent in both quantity and quality. Various types of metal products were produced. In the Silla period, science and technology were also highly developed, and metal processing techniques such as metallurgy, gold, copper working and plating were developed significantly.
Moreover, ceramics and lacquers were exported to China and Japan as Silla’s special products. The historical and cultural backgrounds of Silla were very impressive to me and inspired me to undertake the Silla Collection 100 Project.
I also think that people who appreciate this project may wonder why I have completed 100 brooches. I think that the number 100 will mean a lot to us today. I think the number 100 does not simply mean a natural number greater than 99 and less than 101, but it means perfection, maturity, and preparation for what comes next. Furthermore, I think it is a number that represents society.
Water can boil from 100 degrees Celsius; in other words, it is in one state up to 99 degrees, but it generates energy from one degree higher. I think that our society is still at the same level as the number 99 because the people of today have forgotten the value of the cultural heritage of our ancestors.
However, if modern people respect and preserve diverse cultural heritages, I think that they could learn about the various historical, cultural and social backgrounds of their ancestors, which will provide them with an opportunity to expand their horizons.
At the same time, I think that if they prepare for the future, their community will be a step forward. Like the number 100.
Finally, this moment in which we are living will also be reflected in our future descendants. This would be the same reason that the number 100 revolves.
<The Compromise Project> — Necklace object / Materials : bronze, brass, copper, luminous gel, neon sign and UV resin / Approximately 15cm*55cm*17cm / You can watch two different versions.
![[untitled]](https://res.cloudinary.com/rca2020/image/upload/w_1920,f_auto,q_auto/v1594302155/gatsby-cloudinary/5efce7ddb9875c4cffccf2e9-608821-resize-1920-2560)
However, I think we are both beneficiaries and victims of the development of these technologies today. This is because, as science and technology advances in our modern system, the ecological and ethical implications, including for human life, have been the subject of serious debate.
We live in a reality that cannot deny the double-edged sword. Therefore, I think we should find an appropriate compromise and maintain value neutrality. Finding the centre of compromise will be an ongoing task.
Finally, we need to think more carefully. Who will benefit from this technological evolution? What is the end point of development? How are the negative effects of development being resolved in modern society?
<The Sign Language Object Project> — Necklace object / Materials : bronze, brass, plaster and lacquer / Approximately 7cm*45cm*2cm / Please refer to the linked video.
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project> — Researching on the diverse social issues relating to the pandemic situation.
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
<The Sign Language Object Project>
![[untitled]](https://res.cloudinary.com/rca2020/image/upload/w_1920,f_auto,q_auto/v1594302155/gatsby-cloudinary/5efcf0ddb9875c4cffcd2b19-772699-resize-1920-2560)
However, I think that people’s face-to-face communication has been cut off for a long time. Since the advent of SNS, communication online has been lacking in sincerity and most of the information has been focused on people’s fun.
Could it be that we are isolated from society and true communication is lost?
At this moment, lockdown has given us time for self-reflection. I think there are only three conditions we need to live wisely in a modern society: firstly, respect for others, and secondly, responsibility to the group we belong to. Lastly, I think that cooperation between people is a necessity, as is cooperation between countries.
We must constantly question ourselves, reflect and answer. At this moment, I ask those of you who appreciate this work: are you living a life of respect and consideration for the people around you in our society? Are you cooperating with your family, friends and colleagues around you in this lockdown situation? Finally, who are you in our society? Also, in what sort of society would you like to live your life in the future?