My Past Is Art

Today has taken a rather bizarre turn.

I was reading an article in The Korea Herald about Design Korea 2010 and their new project in Hannam dong, it all sounded very interesting, especially since that's my old neighbourhood.

I clicked through to the Design Korea 2010 website and took a look at their maps for the area. Were those my old apartments highlighted? I decided to trot down the hill to take a look.

Lo and behold, my past accomodations have become art installations.

It was an odd feeling seeing my first apartment in Korea painted pink, with a rastafari back gate. I moved in here back in September 2000. A tiny unfurnished one room place that I slowly made my home. No fridge, no tv, just a futon, a sink, a gas burner and a bookcase.

And here it is now, redeveloped, turned into an art piece. I don't remember it being this small, but I've got used to 20 pyeong apartments and the memories of my one room hovel have been buried for many years.

The artists had a big bash last night, so they weren't about, but I hope to go back again with my wife and revisit our old haunts.

The neighbouring room had a rather different feel.



Downstairs things were a little fishy.



Decidedly dark.



And a tiny bit abstract.



Onto the next place. I stayed in this house for a month with a group of actors when we came on tour to Korea in May 2000. Then in 2001 I moved into the sub-basement apartment with my director friend, the fabulous Gina Lee.



This is what remains of our spare room.

And here's what's become of next door.



Not all the rooms were open today, and there are a fair few houses to explore, so I'll be back to take a closer look at each installation. The houses are open from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm every day till the 30th of December, if you're in the Itaewon/Hannam-dong area it's worth a detour.