Kim Jung-man recreates Magritte’s paintings

Photographer Kim Jung-man

Renowned photographer Kim Jung-man, 58, is showing 23 photographic works recreating the surrealist Rene Magritte’s works through photography at KT&G SangSang Madang in Seoul.

Kim is known for realistic photos such as in the “Stone Heart” and “New Image of Korea” series. He became famous as a commercial photographer who worked with celebrities such as Lee Hyo-ri and Rain in the 1990s and early 2000s. But he has devoted himself to fine art since 2006.

In this exhibition titled “Thinking about Rene Magritte,” Kim challenges abstract photography and pays homage to the Belgian surrealist.

Kim said he tried new techniques including Photoshop for the first time while preparing for this exhibition.

“I had to take hundreds of photos to complete each piece but it was worth the effort. I had to ask myself whether it was possible or not and finally found the answers,” he said.

The photographer said he has the greatest affinity with “The Treason of the Pictures (This is not a Pipe)”, a reinterpretation of Magritte’s iconic painting “This Is Not a Pipe.” Kim took a photo of a pipe similar to the one in the original picture with a personal qualifying note below the photo saying “This is not a pipe.”

“It was difficult for me to understand what Magritte felt when he painted this and empathize with his position,” Kim said.

“The Great War,” another famous work by Magritte featuring a man in a silk hat and a green apple, is also reprised by Kim by taking pictures of a man and an apple and layering them. However, Kim said this was definitely going to be the last time he would used computer enhanced graphics for his photos.

A 30-minute documentary featuring the process of recreating Magritte’s works through photography is also being screened at the gallery.

Co-organized by KT&G SangSang Madang, fashion brand Louis Quatorze and Kim’s studio Velvet Underground, the exhibition also shows how a fine artist can collaborate with a fashion house.

Kim designed and produced bags inspired by Magritte and Louis Quatorze. Some of his works are printed on scarves, making them wearable.

Kim said that he used Magritte’s technique of “depaysement,” which impacts people by portraying objects being used in different ways than their originally intended function for the Louis Quatorze products.

The exhibition runs through Oct. 31. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 330-6223. <The Korea Times/Kwon Mee-yoo>

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