K Museum of Contemporary Art

_hyogeun_

The exhibition 'The Potential of Materials' - Tape Seoul + Tube Seoul has been extended until February 26, 2023. It's worth the admission fee. Hurry! In the empty space, suddenly, an eerie thing floats in the air, resembling gum stuck everywhere expanding in all directions, or a giant spider's web forming a spider's house. Upon closer examination, people are exploring inside, moving quickly as if searching for something, screaming, peeping out to check directions, and some even slipping away and disappearing. The curiosity is overwhelming, but it feels like a giant spider's trap. However, one must enter to find an exit. Thus begins the exploration. The walls, ceiling, and floor made of spider webs, wrapping around in various directions, are unified, with no discernible separation. Therefore, the only way to ascertain one's location is by the changing heights, with no other elements. Overlapping transparent surfaces become opaque, allowing only light to pass through, blocking the view and invoking curiosity and fear. Eventually, everyone inside moves incessantly. Daily materials, often small-sized, are not suitable for constructing large spaces. However, this exhibition breaks such stereotypes. Using transparent packaging tape to create tubular spaces softens our brains. The tensile strength, which can withstand the movement of four adults without faltering, and the characteristic of blocking the view whilst allowing light, is similar to that of wire and Korean paper. This exhibition has shown the potential of materials. While the construction industry cannot avoid environmental issues, excessive use of polluting materials should be avoided. However, if eco-friendly tape or similar materials are developed, it could significantly stimulate architecture, creating unprecedented spaces or being used as temporary shelters, featuring easy construction and availability. It's like creating walls that block the wind, allow light, and serve as a structure with just one material.