Arriving at Harpers Chelsea to view Ho Jae Kim’s solo show “Carrousel“ without context or any familiarity with Kim’s work, his pieces become embodiments of the recollective. I’ve seen you before; I know you, but only in the metaphysical state. In the presence of internet culture “New age surrealism” morphs into Omni-surrealism as references of 1920s surrealism and past online trend come together in time to inform Kim’s works. Liminal spaces and Chirico give birth to works such as Waiting room 2022, Altlas 2022, and Fountain 2023 just to name a few.
The feeling of a mirage, as each location feels like an oasis you could never reach or a cycle you can never break. In the wake of the liminal spaces, Ho Jae Kim’s solo show “Carousel” became a guiding light to the internet niche.
Transformed by tragic personal events, the shift in Ho Jae Kim’s work is noticeable in this solo compared to prior shows. Works that consisted of airy palettes, stand-alone figures clutching themselves (Jaded Skin 2021 and Liminal Man 2021), what used to be interpreted as melancholic are now swapped with rich colors and figures barring themselves in the center window, the viewer inclined to enter. The most tangible aspect of Ho Jae Kim’s show: is the characteristic of dreams. The implication with each work shows a narrative that there is a single way for the viewer to enter the space provided in these artworks. Lands so vast that the viewer can get lost inside, it’s almost intimidating; as Kim balances these aspects with a comforting warmth that comes from the mundane.
Tile motifs are used to frame each scene, showing an interesting juxtaposition of the tiles being heavy and cold, but the scenes they encompass become amplified in their warmth as the yellow light source bathes everything. Each artwork distinguishes its own entity as it calls for presence & awareness from the viewer. Liminal spaces are not all Kim has to offer in this show. Themes of stage, performance, and romanticism come as a revolving topic . As the show’s centerpiece, “Carousel,” a 3-panel large-scale work; places you within the mechanics of the carousel and a part of the “cycle” that Ho Jae Kim describes in his work.
I’ve been contemplating whether the audience will have any involvement in the disconnected roles portrayed in these scenes, or if they will simply observe. The scenes and characters are relatable, as they depict everyday moments like being in a kitchen or searching for something meaningful. Kim’s works effectively showcase the intersection of acting and reality.
Ho Jae Kim’s show closes May 6th at Harper’s Books; many experiences in life slip past us, don’t miss this one.
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