In 2007, I moved to Europe initially for my studies. However, I decided to remain in Europe, and I have now lived here for over a decade. One of the most challenging aspects of adapting to life in Europe is the food culture, particularly the significance of cheese. Cheese plays a vital role in European agriculture, craftsmanship, and culinary traditions.
During a visit to the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (Mucem) in Marseille, France, I was captivated by the cheesemaking tools. Their shapes, colors, and historical significance were integral to European culture.
Photo: Hong Cheolki
I delved into the study of 19th-century cheesemaking tools, breaking down the process into three main phases: curdling milk, shaping, and storing. I reinterpreted these traditional tools, which may be unfamiliar to contemporary people, and created three distinct objects designed to inspire imagination. These include a metal sculpture that captures the essence of human arms in the process of draining curdled milk, a wave-shaped piece reminiscent of cheese molds, and a shelf-like sculpture with round glass elements that address the draining and ripening processes of cheese.
2017
Cherry, Maple, Glass, Silver, Stainless steel
64 x 51 x 240 cm, 15 x 7 x 306 cm, 2 x ø70 ø90 ø110 cm
Curated: Sungwon Kim
Commissioned: Asia Culture Center, Gwangju, South Korea