Courtesy

WHO: Young Wook Song, 30

MEDIA: Various; primarily sculptural installations

BEST KNOWN FOR: Casting objects to represent memory. A native of South Korea, Song uses Korean rice paper and glue to cast significant objects from different periods of his life. Castings of tricycles represent childhood play, while a casting of a backpack slung over a chair recalls Song's high school days. He even casted the first car he owned in the United States, a Toyota RAV4. The castings are unpainted; some hang from the ceiling on strings, creating a ghostly effect. They aren't meant to be replicas of the items, but rather physical manifestations of the memories the items conjure up.

Song is interested in re-creating his memories to stay grounded in his Korean identity while coping with culture shock, but he deliberately uses common objects so viewers can relate to them. “I want to help them to recall their memory. This is my goal,” Song said.

BACKGROUND: After studying art at Yeungnam University in Korea, Song came to the U.S. in 2003 to study English. He will receive his MFA from UTSA in the spring.

INFLUENCES: Louise Bourgeois, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Do-Ho Suh, San Antonio artist Ken Little

CURRENTLY: For “where am I going,” Song made casts of the suitcases he brought from Korea to Texas, which will be displayed in an environment resembling an airport.

CHECK HIM OUT: “where am I going” opens at Cactus Bra Space, 106C Blue Star, with receptions at 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, and Friday, Jan. 4. It runs through Jan. 18; call (210) 226-6688 for an appointment or go to youngwooksong.com.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor