Headlands Center for the Arts

Artist Statement

BEAK Jungki (b. 1981) delves profoundly into the essence of materials and specific subjects of interest are explored through deep research and scientific experimentation. His in-depth explorations are visualized through a hands-on-approach conducted personally by the artist. BEAK Jungki’s studio is like a scientist’s laboratory or a small version of a well-organized factory. He is an artist who demonstrates extraordinary creativity by exploring the attitudes of humans towards nature, the environment of the past and the future, old culture of superstition, and today’s science and technology as well as philosophy. He scientifically approaches the surrounding environment but also researches on Shamanism, rituals of the East and the West, people’s beliefs and their reliance on supernatural powers as well as nature’s invisible energy. All these factors are put together to produce his own unique artistic creation, in works where candles wish for the birth of a baby chick, a generator that produces energy, an incubator the hatches the eggs and much more. His scientific explorations reflect on the explorations on the relationship between human beings and nature, and deals with the occurrence and flow of energy.

While at Headlands

During the residency period, I plan to maintain the framework of projects I have been working on while actively embracing the different variables and ideas that arise in the new environment. Firstly, I will connect the candle power generator, developed since 2015 (a device that produces electrical energy from candles symbolizing wishes), to electronic instruments and sound systems. I intend to conduct humble experiments, to explore how the small, warmly shining candles can interact with sound or waves. Rather than striving for the perfect completion of the project, I want to enjoy the process of adapting to the new environment at Headland. In this project, my spouse and collaborative partner, cellist LEE Kumhee, will participate. The collaborative outcome will be presented to the audience in the form of a small performance that combines installation and playing towards the end of the residency.