NEW YORK, NY.- Akin to Pop artists before him, Jae Yong Kim's work elicits an immediate visceral response. In this case, "DONUTS!" His motif is instantly recognizable and the viewer can't subdue their immediate hankering for these sculptures. Concurrently, a parallel effect also takes hold of the viewer. Similar to being in a donut shop, a synesthesia effect causes each color to render a flavor and a sweet and/or savory dream starts to unfold.
As these dreams develop, deeper meanings begin to emerge. Distinguishing colors, patterns and appliques start aligning themselves with art historical and pop culture references. By utilizing techniques resembling the paint drips of Jackson Pollack, rendering dots like Yayoi Kusama or giving a subtle nod towards Claes Oldenburg, Kim's work tells a rich story about consumption and consumerism in the art world and beyond.
Each unique sculpture has a clear and concise conversation loaded with its own attraction and dialogue. When I first saw Kim's installation, I thought, "Oh, how I love donuts". Then a conceptual dialogue ensued, "This one looks tastier than that one", "but wait, that's Kusama's influence on this piece and Jim Dine’s on that one, a little Murakami over here, etc." Kim’s obvious use of these motifs begs the question “is the viewer visually consuming a donut, an artwork, or the art world at large?” “Is Kim’s work a caustic comment on the art world's rampant strides towards mass consumerism or possibly a poignant statement about the gluttonous effects of an over-caloric ‘art’ community or is it simply a treat?”
Once these questions are satisfied, the viewer can move on to consider Kim’s nods to designer Louis Vuitton, the value of precious metals, mass-market appeal and one of my favorites, Disney. When one recognizes the Mickey Mouse shaped donuts, an interesting conversation ensues about Walt Disney. And, depending on one's perspectives, consuming a “Mickey” donut can vacillate from just 'plain fun,' to Disney's influence (for better or worse) in the development of post industrial America, World War II propaganda and the entertainment business, all rolled up into one 'tasty treat'.
All this said, at the end of the day, Jae Yong Kim simply loves donuts. Walking with the artist in Chelsea a few days ago, we parted ways and he headed to Donut Planet for a 'fix'. Kim's installation, "Donut Rush," evidences his attraction to one of life's little pleasures. The rest of the discussion is left up to you.
A graduate of Hartford Art School (West Hartford, CT) and Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield Hills, MI), Jae Yong Kim has shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions including the University Gallery, University of Bridgeport, CT, New Space Gallery, Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT, American University Museum, Washington DC and works closely with Kate Shin of the Waterfall Mansion and Gallery, New York, NY. Kim's work is featured in the collection of the Han Hyang Lim Ceramic Museum in Korea. Jae Yong Kim lives in New York and works from his studio in Jersey City, NJ.
