The Modbo presents “I was, I am, I will be,” an exhibition of fascinating mixed media by contemporary artist Su Kaiden Cho. The opening reception is from 5 pm until 9 pm on Friday, October 1st. Cho explores in the combination of Asian art with contemporary art to portray the traditional Korean silk wrapping (Bojagi) and its abstract form as a metaphor for coverings of how we lose ourselves, what we keep inside, and how it is reflected. As of this writing, masks are suggested for unvaccinated viewers. The show runs through Friday, October 29th. In addition to the opening reception, the gallery is happily open by appointment. The Modbo is located in the Arts Alley in downtown Colorado Springs at 17C E. Bijou. Find the stretch of Bijou that is between Cascade and Tejon, and go south down the alley. Street parking is available, but The Modbo recommends the lot on Cascade just north of Bijou. The Modbo can be reached at themodbo@gmail.com, themodbo.com, or 633-4240.
About the Show:
Su Kaiden Cho condenses a central belief that lies at the core of his artistic practice by delving into issues of ethnic liminality by means of quality of ambiguity or disorientation of identity. Cho’s series of “I was,” “I am,” “I will be,” are the connections to his heritage but are also reminders of the loss of identity he has had to endure. The first phrase “I was,” is dormant, because the past is fixed. You can’t change it and you can’t manipulate it in any way. The second phrase,“I was,” is present. In the present is the only time we need to center ourselves. As for the last, “I will be,” references moving forward to whatever may come into its life. Cho explores in the combination of Asian art with contemporary art to portray the traditional Korean silk wrapping (Bojagi) and its abstract form as a metaphor for coverings of how we lose ourselves, what we keep inside, and how it is reflected. Cho sees this exhibit as an opportunity for any viewers to fill in those phrases with their own experiences, and to take the time to reflect on their own life trajectory –Cho states that the truth is hardly ever on the surface, more often than not, the truth can only be found deep inside.
About the Artist:
Su Kaiden Cho was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Cho is a Korean contemporary artist and he now resides and works in Colorado. Cho’s oeuvre reconciles the identity challenges reflecting his life experiences caught in between South Korean customs and American mores. Cho received a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts Practices with emphasis in installation arts from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Cho has exhibited his work in numerous galleries in Colorado including solo exhibitions and artist in residency. Cho was shown as a featured artist in Gallery of Contemporary Arts, Colorado Springs, CO, Understudy, Denver, Colorado, Artworks Center for Contemporary Art, Loveland, Denver, installed public sculpture in Aurora, Colorado, and an award winning designer at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
Su Kaiden Cho condenses a central belief that lies at the core of his artistic practice by delving into issues of ethnic liminality by means of quality of ambiguity or disorientation of identity. Cho’s practice to bring in otherness, acceptance, challenging norms and inclusion. In his work, he confronts the derogatory terms and attitudes with which Cho continues to withstand today. His accoutrements are proud connections to his heritage but are also reminders of the loss of identity he has had to endure. Cho manipulates materials through the context of self-identity as he examines with social and cultural clashes between what is internally embraced and externally imposed, as it pertains to race and ethnic identity. Being considered a minority in this culture causes a level of uncertainty regarding his own identity and beauty. Cho’s work raises questions about common standpoints in how beauty is perceived that then ultimately results in internalized self-deprecation among minority races through visual duality, ambiguity, combing the association with the grotesque, the extreme and the fantastic —Cho states that the truth is hardly ever on the surface, more often than not, the truth can only be found deep inside.