MINHEE KANG

The Blur of Time, Interwoven Seas, Poems Written with Eyes Closed (2024)
Work Progress Documentation

❖ A live performance that unfolds the dreamscape of an 85 year-old woman

데이터가 기록된 그림을 악보로 삼아 진행되는 공간 퍼포먼스. 나열된 들숨과 날숨 패턴의 그림을 악보로 삼아 조도는 어둡고 밝아짐을 연속하며 파도 소리를 형상하는 사운드가 전시 공간을 채운다. 공간 중앙에는 물체와 진자운동으로 허공에 그림을 그리듯 움직이는 천이 있으며 이는 호흡이 기록되었던 방 안 공기의 움직임 데이터와 시계 소리를 시각화하여 현재 시점 전시장 안에 시간 테옆을 돌려 그녀의 꿈을 다시 서사한다. 공연이 진행되는 무대와 이를 바라보는 관중의 위치는 각각 꿈, 과거, 혹은 이상 세계와 현실 세계로 나뉘는 관계성을 띄며 무대 안에 위치한 무용수와 관중과 함께 서 있는 소리꾼의 표현 방식은 이를 극대화하여 보여준다.

This project originated from pixel-sorted visualizations of recorded breath data of my grandmother’s sleeping breath. The breath signals measured by the HTU2X sensor were transferred real-time into Python and visualized in grayscale. The images below are selected examples from the nightly archival collection. Each image resembles undulating waves on a night ocean water surface, capturing her state of being within the dreamscape, where her fragile rhythms of inhalation and exhalation form the temporal axis of an intimate world separated from waking reality. Each image is titled with the date, time, and duration of the data recorded that night.

From this archive, the dataset “20240612_2253–20240613_0138_lee.csv” was selected and translated into the ink-wash painting Tides of Time Beneath the Surface.

The data underlying this visualized image painting were sonified by sound designer Godam. While the main rhythm is derived from the breathing data, ECG (heartbeat) and EEG (brainwave) signals were also incorporated to deepen the dynamics of the sound composition.

The spatial design of the stage incorporated a kinetic sculpture, Temporal Rotor, inspired by the idea of drawing ephemeral time in the air from watching the Korean traditional Sangmo dance. The sculpture developed a kinetic system that moves a paper ribbon like the tilting head movements of the dancer. The design of the sculpture was also derived from the original shape of the Sangmo and was 3D-printed in metal.

Performance layout sketch:

The scent used in this exhibition was created in collaboration with olfactory artist Yidan Kim, drawing inspiration from a recorded conversation with the breathing subject of this project. It is designed to follow the sequence of her personal journey into a dreamscape: a virtual world she enters as she falls asleep with grape-flavored candy in her mouth. The candy’s sweetness soothes her, allowing her to momentarily forget the physical pain of her illness and drift into a dreamlike state of unconsciousness. The scent unfolds in layers, guiding the audience through the ethereal terrain of the digitally mediated timespace of her unconscious.

Top: Citrusy scent, reminiscent of grapes

Top-Middle: Watery, crystal-clear freshness, like the feeling of a serene ocean breeze

Middle: Smoky, with an enigmatic, veiled essence that blends organic, natural elements with an unexpected, artificial undertone. This layer subtly captures the synthetic essence of digital media frequency.

Base: Deep grounding scent of balsam resin, rich with a sticky, balsamic, and spicy warmth. It lingers mysteriously, heavy with a sense of subconscious presence.

Installation:

Rehearsing