Hangeul Wall: Things I Love to Talk About
Ik-Joong Kang
Hangeul Wall: Things I Love to Talk About, 2024
20,000 Hangeul tiles (Mixed media on wood: 3x3 inches each)
Dimensions: Approximately 26 x 72 ft (8 x 22 meters)
Korean Cultural Center New York
The Hangeul Wall, measuring 26 x 72 feet (8 x 22 meters) and composed of 20,000 Hangeul tiles, connects the wisdom and experiences of global citizens. Developed in collaboration with LG CNS, KCCNY launched a website in May 2024, enabling people worldwide to create their own artworks using the site's translation and coloring functions under the theme “Things I Love to Talk About.” The website attracted over 8.2 million visits from more than 50 countries and received 7,000 artwork submissions within two months. From these, 1,000 pieces were selected through public online voting and artist review, culminating in this monumental installation.
The Hangeul Wall stands as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Hangeul and the universal freedom of expression, serving as a testament to our shared human narratives. Traditionally, walls are seen as barriers that divide and separate; however, the Hangeul Wall represents a different kind of structure—a wall of peace and unity. It transcends the conventional notion of separation to become a canvas of connection and harmony.
More than just an artwork, it marks a new chapter in Kang's artistic journey by fostering two-way communication with his audience, inviting them to co-create and participate in the artistic process through a digital platform. This collaborative approach not only underscores the dynamic interaction between the artist and the public but also suggests the future direction of Kang’s work, where collective voices and shared experiences play a central role in shaping his evolving artistic vision.
Selection of 1,000 Hangeul Artworks
English translations are available on the laptop version. Please click on each artwork to access them.
Thankful
Love
Happiness
Relationships
Encouragement
Dreams / Hope
Peace
Self-Reflection / Self-Awareness
Life Lessons
Culture
Daily Life
All rights to submitted artworks, including those selected for display on the Hangeul Wall, are exclusively retained by the Ik-Joong Kang Foundation.
About Ik-Joong Kang
Internationally renowned for his public installation artworks, Ik-Joong Kang(b.1960) has transformed the use of 3 x 3 inch canvases into a symbolic medium of his artistic practices. By connecting each canvas to form a cohesive structure, Kang’s approach is dedicated to bridging cultural differences, diverse experiences, and the connection between past and present. Particularly, Hangeul has emerged as a central theme embodying concepts of ‘harmony’ and ‘coexistence,’ showcasing artworks that unite the voices of the world through the distinctive aesthetic of Hangeul. Kang's exploration of Hangeul began with “What I Know” (2019) as part of public engagement, leading to the monumental installation including “What I Know” at the Shanghai Expo Korean Pavilion (2010); “Bridge of Dreams” at Suncheon Bay National Garden (2013), and “Floating Dreams” at the Thames Festival in London (2016). Most recently, the artist presented “Arirang” at the 60th Venice Biennale’s Korean Pavilion in the celebration of its 30th anniversary special exhibition <Every Island is a Mountain> (2024).
Artist/Director of the Hangeul Wall Project: Ik-Joong Kang
Organizers:
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