11.3 Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting)

Dansaekhwa emerged in 1970s South Korea as a unique fusion of Korean traditions and international art movements. Artists sought to create a distinctly Korean form of abstract art that reflected post-war experiences and grappled with questions of national identity.

The movement emphasizes process, materiality, and meditative practices in art-making. It challenges traditional notions of representation and artistic authorship, using monochromatic palettes and unconventional materials to explore the relationship between artist, materials, and the natural world.

Origins of Dansaekhwa

• Emerged in 1970s South Korea as a response to rapid modernization and cultural shifts
• Represents a unique fusion of Korean artistic traditions with contemporary international art movements
• Sought to create a distinctly Korean form of abstract art that reflected post-war experiences and philosophies

Post-war Korean context

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  IHaceproject - Japanese Occupation and Post War Period View original

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  To Put Finish to the War: Armistice in Korea, 27 July 1953 – Active History View original

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  IHaceproject - Japanese Occupation and Post War Period View original

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  Contemporary Korean Art: Tansaekhwa and the Urgency of Method View original

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Top images from around the web for Post-war Korean context

• 

  IHaceproject - Japanese Occupation and Post War Period View original

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• 

  Contemporary Korean Art: Tansaekhwa and the Urgency of Method View original

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• 

  To Put Finish to the War: Armistice in Korea, 27 July 1953 – Active History View original

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• 

  IHaceproject - Japanese Occupation and Post War Period View original

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• 

  Contemporary Korean Art: Tansaekhwa and the Urgency of Method View original

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• Developed during a period of economic growth and political tensions in South Korea
• Artists grappled with questions of national identity and cultural preservation
• Reacted against both traditional figurative art and Western-influenced modernism

Influence of Western abstraction

• Drew inspiration from Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism
• Incorporated elements of action painting and color field techniques
• Diverged from Western models by emphasizing process and materiality over pure visual aesthetics

Key founding artists

• Park Seo-Bo initiated the movement with his "Ecriture" series in the late 1960s
• Lee Ufan contributed theoretical foundations through his writings and "From Point" and "From Line" works
• Chung Sang-Hwa developed unique grid-based compositions using repetitive gestures

Characteristics of Dansaekhwa

• Emphasizes process, materiality, and meditative practices in art-making
• Seeks to create a harmonious relationship between the artist, materials, and natural world
• Challenges traditional notions of representation and artistic authorship

Monochromatic color palette

• Utilizes limited color schemes, often focusing on whites, grays, and earth tones
• Explores subtle variations and tonal gradations within a single hue
• Reflects influence of traditional Korean aesthetics and natural landscapes

Emphasis on materiality

• Foregrounds the physical properties of artistic materials (canvas, paper, paint)
• Experiments with unconventional materials like hanji (Korean mulberry paper) and burlap
• Treats the surface as an active participant in the artistic process rather than a passive support

Meditative process vs product

• Prioritizes the act of creation over the final visual outcome
• Involves repetitive, labor-intensive techniques that require focus and concentration
• Aims to achieve a state of harmony between the artist's body, mind, and materials

Techniques and materials

• Combines traditional Korean art-making methods with contemporary approaches
• Emphasizes tactile engagement with materials and surfaces
• Explores the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and performance

Layering and scraping

• Builds up multiple layers of paint or other materials on the surface
• Uses tools to remove or reveal underlying layers, creating depth and texture
• Incorporates chance and spontaneity into the artistic process

Traditional vs modern media

• Integrates traditional Korean materials like hanji and ink with modern acrylics and oils
• Experiments with found objects and industrial materials (sand, kaolin clay, steel)
• Blends Eastern and Western artistic traditions to create a unique visual language

Texture and surface manipulation

• Creates tactile surfaces through techniques like scratching, rubbing, and puncturing
• Employs repetitive gestures to build up patterns and rhythms across the canvas
• Explores the interplay between two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements

Philosophical underpinnings

• Rooted in East Asian philosophy and aesthetics, particularly Korean interpretations
• Seeks to transcend dualities between subject and object, form and content
• Explores concepts of emptiness, impermanence, and interconnectedness

Zen Buddhist influences

• Incorporates meditative practices and mindfulness into the artistic process
• Emphasizes non-attachment to outcomes and embracing imperfection
• Explores concepts of emptiness (mu) and the interconnectedness of all things

Harmony with nature

• Draws inspiration from natural phenomena and landscapes
• Uses organic materials and processes that mimic natural forces (erosion, growth)
• Seeks to create works that exist in harmony with their environment

Concept of void

• Explores negative space and emptiness as active elements in composition
• Challenges Western notions of horror vacui (fear of empty space)
• Investigates the relationship between presence and absence, form and formlessness

Major Dansaekhwa artists

• Represent diverse approaches within the movement's core principles
• Developed distinctive techniques and visual languages over decades of practice
• Gained international recognition in the 21st century, leading to renewed interest in Dansaekhwa

Park Seo-Bo's ecriture series

• Began in the late 1960s, evolving through distinct phases over five decades
• Utilizes repetitive mark-making to create textured, monochromatic surfaces
• Explores the concept of "descriptive geometry" to achieve a meditative state

Lee Ufan's From Line works

• Consists of simple, repeated brush strokes on raw canvas or paper
• Emphasizes the relationship between the painted mark and surrounding space
• Explores concepts of encounter and dialogue between artist, material, and viewer

Chung Sang-Hwa's grid compositions

• Creates complex geometric patterns through a labor-intensive process of layering and removal
• Employs a strict grid system as a framework for exploring color and texture
• Achieves a balance between control and chance in the final composition

Dansaekhwa in global context

• Gained international recognition in the 1970s through exhibitions in Japan and Europe
• Experienced renewed interest and critical reappraisal in the 21st century
• Challenges Western-centric narratives of modern and contemporary art history

Reception in international art world

• Initially overlooked or misunderstood by Western critics and institutions
• Gained recognition through major exhibitions and biennales in the 2000s and 2010s
• Sparked debates about cultural authenticity and the globalization of contemporary art

Comparisons with Western minimalism

• Shares formal similarities with Minimalist and Post-Minimalist movements
• Diverges in its emphasis on process, materiality, and philosophical underpinnings
• Challenges notions of artistic authorship and the primacy of visual aesthetics

Impact on contemporary Korean art

• Influenced subsequent generations of Korean artists exploring abstraction and materiality
• Sparked debates about national identity and cultural heritage in Korean art
• Paved the way for greater international recognition of Korean contemporary art

Legacy and influence

• Continues to shape discussions about Korean art history and cultural identity
• Raises questions about the relationship between local traditions and global art movements
• Faces ongoing critical reappraisal and reevaluation in light of changing artistic and social contexts

Dansaekhwa vs younger generations

• Younger artists both embrace and critique Dansaekhwa's aesthetic and philosophical principles
• Explores new materials and technologies while maintaining focus on process and materiality
• Addresses contemporary social and political issues more directly than earlier Dansaekhwa works

Market value and collectibility

• Experienced a surge in market interest and prices in the 2010s
• Raised concerns about the commodification of Korean cultural heritage
• Sparked debates about the relationship between artistic value and market forces

Critiques and controversies

• Faced criticism for perceived cultural essentialism and romanticization of Korean traditions
• Sparked debates about gender representation and the dominance of male artists in the movement
• Raised questions about the role of art in addressing social and political issues in contemporary Korea