POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Brass tableware by Kisang GIO and Soo-young KIM

Object No. 2017/60/1

This brass tableware was handcrafted in Anseong, Korea, a region with a very long history of brassware production. The artisan, KIM Soo-Young, utilises traditional skills handed down over many generations. His skills have been listed as important Korean cultural property, and he received the award of YEOL Craftsman of the Year 2013 (a society for Korean cultural heritage). The objects were designed by Korean product designer, GIO Kisang. KIM Soo-Young was associated with brassware from a young age, and learnt the skills needed from his father. Even when brassware went out of fashion in the 1960s, the family business continued to practice the art. Through generations and generations of learning, the ancient skills were passed down. His collaboration with GIO Kisang has given contemporary relevance to the traditional craft. This brass tableware represents contemporary international concerns for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage - skills and knowledge involved in traditional craftsmanship. Globalisation has presented many challenges to the survival of traditional artisanship. This work represents a recent wave of international designers who are involved in cultural preservation of traditional skills and craftsmanship through contemporary design. Angelique Hutchison Curator 2017 References: Min-Jung KIM (Ed) (2011), 'Spirit of jang-in, treasures of Korean metal craft', Powerhouse Museum Publishing, Sydney, Australia

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Summary

Object Statement

Tableware, 'Bareum' set of five bowls with lids, 'Binyeo' set of chopsticks and spoon, brass, designed by GIO Kisang, 2013, made by GIO Kisang and KIM Soo-Young, Korea, 2017

Physical Description

Tableware or 'Yugi' or 'notgeureut' brassware. 'Bareum' set of five covered bowls 'Binyeo' set of chopsticks and spoon

PRODUCTION

Notes

Designed by GIO Kisang in collaboration with artisan KIM Soo-Young in Korea, in 2013. Made by GIO Kisang and KIM Soo-Young (b1949) at Anseong Machum Brassware Workshop in Anseong, Gyeonggi, Korea, in 2017. KIM Soo-Young was winner of the YÉOL Award for Craftsman of the Year 2013 and is listed as a Korean Important Intangible Cultural Property Number 77 (Brassware Making). KIM Soo-Young uses traditional Korean techniques passed down from generation to generation to make the brassware. The 'jumul' method used to make these bowls involves melting the brass and pouring the metal into moulds before shaping and finishing on a lathe. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. This range was produced in four different styles - shiny, matt, rough and lacquered. It was available in a number of sizes to complete the traditional Korean table settings.

HISTORY

Notes

Purchased directly from the designer. KIM Soo-Young was associated with the craft from a young age, and learnt the skills needed from his father. Even when brassware went out of fashion in the 1960s, the family business continued to practice the art. Through generations and generations of learning, the ancient skills were passed down, but it was KIM Soo-Young in collaboration with GIO Kisang who gave contemporary relevance to the craft and allowed it to remain popular in today's society. It is believed that brassware was traditionally used to serve food to the Korean Royal Family. Korean brassware, as other metals, are highly durable and difficult to break, crack or shatter compared to ceramic alternatives. It was also believed that the lacquer applied to porcelain objects in the firing process would gradually melt off, due to the hot nature of Korean food, and be slowly consumed. It is for these reasons, that historically, the higher class used brassware over porcelain utensils. Nowadays, it is common for all classes and backgrounds to eat off metal bowls or use metal chopsticks. Examples of lacquered brassware by KIM Soo-Young and GIO Kisang were exhibited in Milan at 'Constancy and change in Korean traditional crafts 2015'.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 2017

Acquisition Date

19 December 2017

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