Sayart.net - Exploring the Tensions of Desire: Cha Young Seok’s ‘Jouissance’ Unveiled at Leehwaik Gallery

Leehwaik Gallery in Seoul presents Jouissance, the 15th solo exhibition by the acclaimed artist Cha Young Seok, marking his return three years after his last exhibition in 2021. Cha, who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Korea National University of Arts, has steadily crafted a unique artistic identity since his debut in 2009 as a Kumho Young Artist. His latest body of work is an exploration of the psychoanalytic concept of “jouissance,” a term that delves into the experience of pleasure that transcends mere satisfaction, instead blurring into a state where pleasure itself becomes intertwined with discomfort or even pain.

The title, Jouissance, is rooted in Lacanian psychoanalysis and describes a paradoxical form of pleasure experienced through discomfort. It suggests an indulgence in desires or obsessions that, while gratifying, also provoke a sense of unease. Cha employs this complex notion to convey an intricate interplay of attraction and repulsion within his work, creating a visual dialogue that asks viewers to confront their understanding of satisfaction, desire, and discomfort.

Cha’s creative process reflects his engagement with this concept, as he has long focused on intense, detailed depictions of objects. His method, grounded in meticulous observation and repetitive, habitual techniques, unearths his aesthetic preferences and biases. Through laborious and deliberate depiction, he elevates the mundane to the realm of intimate fascination, bringing forward a hidden layer of meaning that transcends the object's mere appearance. His work thus becomes a personal journey toward understanding and revealing his own concealed aesthetic tendencies.

In Jouissance, Cha expands his fascination with objects by incorporating a diverse array of luxury items beyond the sneakers and watches seen in his earlier works. The addition of jewelry and scarves—a nod to luxury consumption—brings fresh layers to his exploration. One striking example in this exhibition is a high-value gemstone, reminiscent of those found at Hong Kong Christie’s auction, meticulously rendered solely in pencil. By stripping away the gemstone's gleam and color, Cha leaves only its stark form, presenting an unembellished version of an object typically celebrated for its visual allure. This monochromatic treatment encourages viewers to look beyond surface-level appeal, urging them to confront the object’s essence rather than its ornamental appeal.

In another series, luxury brand scarves are drawn with painstaking attention to pattern and form, intentionally devoid of color and texture. This approach invites viewers to consider the essence of these objects, challenging the conventions of luxury and opulence by reducing them to their structural core. Through this calculated elimination of color and gloss, Cha offers a new aesthetic experience that shifts the viewer’s focus to the pure design elements, asking whether beauty lies in adornment or in the stark simplicity of form.

Cha’s collection of luxury objects also reflects an acute awareness of the complex relationship between personal taste and societal values. His fascination with the lavish patterns and opulent details within these objects hints at how they symbolize not just individual desire but also cultural markers of status and identity. In his works, the collected objects become visual records of societal aspiration, symbolizing a shared pursuit of material allure that reflects broader cultural narratives. Cha’s pieces, therefore, suggest that our attraction to these objects might reveal more about our era's collective psyche than individual longing.

As a whole, Jouissance prompts viewers to engage with themes that lie at the intersection of identity, society, and personal aesthetics. Through his monochrome renderings, Cha compels the audience to confront their associations with desire, identity, and value. Are these objects mere adornments, or do they carry symbolic weight that speaks to our subconscious need for recognition and status? By focusing on items renowned for their superficial appeal and stripping them of color and luster, Cha not only deconstructs their luxurious identity but also invites viewers to question the source of their satisfaction with material objects.

Leehwaik Gallery notes that Jouissance is an exhibition that encourages introspection on both personal and cultural levels. "Cha Young Seok’s approach pushes us to reevaluate the appeal of material luxury and to confront our complex feelings about consumption and identity,” the gallery remarked. “His work illuminates how our engagement with objects is shaped not just by personal taste but by larger social structures.”

With Jouissance, Cha Young Seok continues to challenge the boundaries of artistic representation, inviting audiences to question the psychological undercurrents that shape our fascination with material beauty. Through his detailed depictions of luxury items in restrained monochrome, Cha’s work offers a fresh perspective on the role of desire in contemporary culture, creating an exhibition that resonates with viewers on both aesthetic and philosophical levels.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com