The Hallyu (Korean Wave) has been a global cultural phenomenon for a long time, and beyond K-pop and Korean dramas, where does Korean design stand worldwide? Moon Seop Seo and Yoojin Chung, young Korean designers currently residing in Europe, noted that Korean design has gained attention in recent years. Yoojin notes that design and art often blend, " Korea has made significant advancements in both areas, as the Frieze (an International Contemporary Art Fair) being held in Seoul, and there have been many new happenings in the Korean design world."

Moon also remarks, "I often tell my colleagues in Korean design that we should take it a step further in the future and present new direction of design to the world." We will have to wait and see what the future holds, but we can take a look at these two designers' works during this year's deTour at PMQ. In line with this year's theme, "Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds" Moon and Yoojin are showcasing installations related to lakes and feng shui, both worth exploring in depth.

The theme of deTour 2024, "Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds" reflects on how design products nourish the soul beyond material aspects. This theme is inspired by the famous 20th-century psychologist Erich Fromm, who proposed that a person's value lies not in what they "have" but in the inner qualities of their "being." "I hadn’t thought much about the concepts of 'having' and 'being' before, but the theme of deTour this time made me realize it resonates deeply with my work 'Passage to the Lake'—it rekindles my memories of being by the lake and focuses on inner experiences.", Moon said.

The first version of "Passage to the Lake" was Moon's graduation project for his bachelor's degree at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 2021. Water is a common design element in Moon's previous works, and he used it as a starting point to design a ramp for water droplets to slide down. "It was an interesting installation, but I hadn’t thought much about its backstory. This differed from the traditional design approach, where designers usually start with a concept. I did it the other way around and was unsure if it would work." The inspiration came from when Moon and his partner went to Germany and chatted by a lake. "Watching the lake made me feel calm. It was a magical sensation. And almost simultaneously, I thought about incorporating this experience into my work."

The final version of "Passage to the Lake" features a ramp where water droplets slide down every few seconds, creating ripples while the droplets bounce and fall into a basin. Although he received good grades for his graduation project, Moon still felt uneasy: "Many of my classmates' works address important issues about how to change the world, while my design is just a droplet of water?" "Passage to the Lake" was exhibited at international events such as Dutch Design Week and Milan Design Week, and the audience's reactions helped alleviate Moon's doubts. He observed that the work brought joy to people of all ages, "I have always hoped that my work can make people smile. It’s quite difficult to achieve." He created pieces in different sizes, with smaller versions for people to purchase and take home. At the same time, the one exhibited at deTour was more prominent, with a basin diameter of about 60 centimeters, "so everyone can closely observe the ripples. Some people say this work is a visual poem, which I like."

Yoojin currently resides in Switzerland. Like Moon, she graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands and obtained her master’s degree in 2023. The installation she is exhibiting at deTour, titled "Capturing Qi," is developed from her graduation project for her master’s degree from last year. It satirizes how people purchase so-called feng shui items as a shortcut to wealth and good fortune. Her work does not critique the credibility of feng shui; instead, it reflects on the commodification of feng shui in modern society with a sense of humor. Yoojin notes, "This stems from the pressures of life, as people feel they need to be more 'successful' and possess more wealth, which keeps the market for feng shui products thriving." This resonates with deTour's theme, "Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds".

Yoojin explains that the term "Qi" in the title of her work, "Capturing Qi," refers to the concept of "flow of energy" as understood in feng shui. She has a keen interest in feng shui due to her background in architecture, where she frequently encountered the topic while working. Besides, Yoojin’s mother is an interior designer, and she often deals with clients who are very particular about the artwork they choose to display near their front doors or the orientation of their beds, which is also related to feng shui. The installation "Capturing Qi" resembles a scientific instrument that aims to "capture" the intangible essence of "Qi," presenting Eastern feng shui through a Western aesthetic. This fusion relates to Yoojin's unique background, born in South Korea but raised in the UK, where she studied architecture. "I always try to blend Eastern and Western cultural perspectives in my work; I find it very interesting." Her research also influenced the design of "Capturing Qi" as a scientific instrument. She learned that American missionaries who traveled to Asia in ancient times introduced feng shui to the West and once described "Qi" as a type of gas. "Like a magical gas that can help people!" Yoojin humorously remarks.

Yoojin designed "Capturing Qi" as her master’s degree graduation project last year, which features three popular feng shui elements: a crystal ball, wind chimes, and a fountain. The version exhibited at deTour focuses on the crystal ball. "It rotates and creates some reflections of light; the movement is essential, making it look like something is happening. Ironically, it doesn't actually 'capture' any 'Qi.'" In response to the deTour’s theme this year, "Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds" she hopes to prompt the audience to think: "When you look at a design, you are 'having' an experience, but what about after you leave? What does that experience leave you with?"

deTour 2024 – design festival

Having → Being: Designing Inner Worlds

Date｜2024.11.29 - 12.15

Venue｜PMQ (35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong)

Entrance Fee: Free

Detail ｜http://detour.hk/