Dama Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of work by Minseok Chi titled “Divine Play: The Art of Everyday Gods”.

At the heart of Minseok Chi’s artistic philosophy is a compelling transformation narrative that elevates the mundane to the divine and engages the viewer in a transcendent dance of perception and reality. This summer, Chi’s work will feature prominently in the group exhibition at Dama Gallery in Ventura, CA, alongside an exclusive solo show titled “Divine Play: The Art of Everyday Gods”, from May 12 to August 12, 2024. 

Minseok Chi’s artistry ignites from a moment of profound insight, sparked by an encounter with an object as commonplace as a discarded Coca-Cola bottle. During a routine walk near his home, Chi stumbled upon this bottle, an item overlooked and stepped over by countless passersby. Yet, for Chi, this sighting became a moment of unexpected awakening. Illuminated by the sunlight and framed by dancing weeds, the bottle ceased to be trash and ascended to a symbol of unexpected beauty. “The Coca-Cola bottle shone brightly amongst the weeds, and in that instant, it became something profoundly sublime,” Chi recounts. This transformative moment, where the ordinary flickered to the extraordinary, marked a pivotal turn in his artistic journey.

Chi describes this experience as one of “shamanic descent,” a term he uses to convey the profound connection and realization. In its shimmering simplicity, it was as if the bottle served as a portal, allowing Chi to traverse the boundaries between the mundane and the divine. This encounter changed his perception of a single object and reshaped his artistic vision. “It was a revelation, a clear sign that every object, no matter how trivial or overlooked, holds a deep reservoir of beauty and significance waiting to be acknowledged and elevated,” Chi explains.

From this epiphany, Chi has drawn a continuous thread through his work, seeking to unveil the hidden spirituality of everyday objects. By transforming these ordinary items into subjects of veneration and contemplation, he invites viewers to engage in a deeper, almost sacred relationship with the commonplace artifacts of their daily lives. This artistic exploration challenges the viewer to reconsider what merits attention and what constitutes value, urging a reevaluation of our everyday surroundings.

Chi’s approach reconfigures the landscape of contemporary art, where objects are not merely materials but imbued with the potential for profound spiritual and aesthetic experiences. Through his eyes, a simple bottle becomes a totem, an anchor for deeper reflection on our interactions with the world around us. This philosophical underpinning drives Chi’s ongoing exploration and creation, making each piece a testament to the transformative power of perception and the enduring quest for beauty in the unlikeliest places.

In Chi’s philosophy, the perception of objects is dualistic—both a blessing and a curse. Our everyday perceptions are clouded by the structures and concepts that society imposes. Chi seeks to disrupt these conventional perceptions through his art, creating a space where objects are deified and encouraging viewers to perceive them through a transcendental lens. “I mythify various existences, encouraging viewers to perceive objects beyond everyday experience,” Chi explains. This approach collapses the typical balance of perception, inviting viewers into a realm where the mundane becomes divine.

Minseok Chi envisions his role as a modern “shaman,” channeling the transformative energies of his art to forge a deep, resonant connection with his audience. This connection is not confined to the visual senses but extends into a full-bodied, multi-sensory engagement that mirrors the ancient shamanic traditions. Chi’s installations transcend the traditional boundaries of art display, embracing a holistic approach that integrates sight, sound, touch, and even the spiritual to disrupt the mundane fabric of everyday life. “Through acts that deviate from the everyday, I invite viewers into a magical circle where they can experience catharsis through new experiences,” Chi says. His work aims to dismantle the entrenched societal norms and perspectives, offering instead a playground where the mind can wander and wander freely, unencumbered by conventional constraints.

This shamanic approach is deeply intentional, crafted to evoke a spectrum of emotional and cognitive responses that challenge the viewer’s reality. By reimagining the role of objects and environments through his artistic lens, Chi creates spaces where the boundaries between the sacred and the profane blur, where the magical and the mundane fuse into a singular, transformative experience. Each piece is a portal to this heightened awareness, urging the audience to reconsider their interactions with the everyday objects around them. “My art is an invitation to break away from the ordinary, to rediscover the sublime hidden in plain sight,” Chi reflects. Through this re-enchantment of the mundane, Chi reshapes our perception of the objects and our understanding of the spaces we inhabit, turning the familiar into a site of mystical encounter and reflection.

Minseok Chi envisions his role as that of a modern “shaman,” channeling the transformative energies of his art to forge a deep, resonant connection with his audience. This connection is not confined to the visual senses but extends into a full-bodied, multi-sensory engagement that mirrors the ancient shamanic traditions. Chi’s installations transcend the traditional boundaries of art display, embracing a holistic approach that integrates sight, sound, touch, and even the spiritual to disrupt the mundane fabric of everyday life. “Through acts that deviate from the everyday, I invite viewers into a magical circle where they can experience catharsis through new experiences,” Chi says. His work aims to dismantle the entrenched societal norms and perspectives, offering instead a playground where the mind can wander and wander  freely, unencumbered by conventional constraints.

Chi’s work is heavily influenced by mythology, which he sees as a framework for unfolding complex philosophies and engaging the imagination. “Myths are implicit and mediating; they express what cannot be simply conveyed through language and logic,” he notes. By creating his own mythology around everyday objects, Chi constructs a narrative that explores and expands the viewer’s understanding of their reality, linking the personal to the universal.

One of the most intriguing developments in Chi’s work is his focus on single objects, such as the Coca-Cola bottle, which he elevates to a god. This approach draws from historical shifts in religious belief, from polytheism to monotheism, reflecting on how these shifts influence our understanding of morality and the sublime. “I aim to create a multidimensional narrative around a single object, allowing it to embody a larger philosophical and moral discourse,” says Chi.

In his exhibitions, Chi employs a range of mediums—painting, text, installation, and performance—to create a comprehensive sensory experience. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that each viewer’s experience is unique and profound, allowing them to engage with the work on multiple levels. “I believe in the chemical reaction that occurs when different mediums interact, enhancing the overall impact of the artistic vision,” Chi asserts.

Chi’s “play” in art is transformative, turning each exhibition into a space where the audience can reconnect with the beauty of the tangible world. He views his art as a playful yet serious endeavor, capable of breaking down the severe plays of structure and normativity that dominate our lives. “My work is a play that destroys other plays, allowing us to step outside these structures and see the world anew,” Chi explains. This philosophy has led to varied reactions, often culminating in laughter from his audience—a testament to the unexpected joy and irony in his reimagining of the mundane.

Looking ahead, Chi remains committed to exploring new themes and objects, constantly examining how these elements can expand the narrative of human sublimity. “I am closely observing how human sublimity manifests throughout history, and I’m certain this will lead to new, unexplored territories in my art,” he concludes.

Minseok Chi’s work invites us to see the divine daily, challenging our perceptions and encouraging us to find joy and beauty in the ordinary. Through his unique blend of myth, magic, and medium, Chi redefines contemporary art’s boundaries, offering a profound commentary on the nature of reality and perception. His presence in the Ventura exhibition promises to be a highlight, providing a gateway into the sublime play of everyday gods.

ARTIST

Peoples try to do a lots of things to find a happiness. Trying to make a money, have a good house or food, have a good hobby, believe in god, also do art and so many things. And, to do this kind of things, many people are suffering although they just want to have and find a happiness ordinary.
I think many peoples are suffering because they are finding happiness in far from our life. Also peoples are forgetting the purpose and what is more important. So there is many Alienation. The happiness(true of philosophy or god in religion) is in our life. If we can see the things of our life without conceptualize like we see the things in perspective of first view like a baby, the happiness, the beauty ,the joy, and the god that we are finding are in a house shoes, a tube of toothpaste, a plastic bottle, a snack pack and everything of life. I am asking to people. "What is the happiness?", "What is the beauty?", "What is the god?" "Why don't we feel the things in our life and be happy?'

-Minseok Chi

Artwork details and collector inquiries are available on ARTSY, click below.

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SOLO FEATURE

May 12 - August 12, 2024

GALLERY DATES

PINK TIDE, June 1 - August 3, 2024

LOCATION

1793 E Main Street, Ventura CA 93001

OPENING RECEPTION

June 1 , 2024 6-8p

GALLERY HOURS

Saturdays 12-3P

Weekdays By Appointment