URAM CHOE

Uram Choe is an artist based in Seoul, South Korea who makes sculptures that he often refers to as “creatures”. He is heavily inspired by the realms of science and physics “from celestial bodies to earthly organisms. His  sculptures are typically powered by a computer and motors that enable it to be controlled  for them to execute specific assigned gestures. Generally made with shiny steels, it gives an otherworldly and biomorphic aura to his creations. Almost always his works rely heavily on technology for them to be able to perform movements. This is pretty much a mirror to modern society  and how we tend to rely heavily on technology to perform a lot of our daily duties, even the simplest tasks, especially communication. 

An exhibition that first comes to mind when thinking about Choe is “New Urban Species” which first opened in May of 2010. Urbanus Female Larva and Urbanus Male Larva were two of the kinetic works that were featured in this exhibition. These works were made with steel and powered by motors, computers and sensors. These two “creatures” complemented each other, as they acted as if they were communicating with each other. The male Urbanus lingers around the female Urbanus while he waits for the right time when she will offer herself to him. As an act of  offering, she starts opening up like a flower blooming and shines a light towards him ( plays on the idea of female animal heat).. As a response he unravels his petal-like appendages as a gesture of acceptance.  These works employ the idea of what it is like to be alive now, and how it is very integral for society nowadays to depend on technology for communication.

Urbanus Male (2006)