Meet GIAHN | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with GIAHN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi GIAHN, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Hi, I am GIAHN. I am from a city called Daegu in Korea. My background is in Engineering specifically semiconductors and solar cells. Currently, I am dealing with various mediums based on photography and media.
I start my work by observing around me and the things that have a relationship with me. This part starts from my background. Because of that, I often refer to Korean history and social phenomena to explore the social structure and varied relationships.
Each work explores a variety of materials and processes in constant methodology. I attempt to combine my engineering background experience, the subject of the individual body of work determines the materials and the forms of the work. The surrounding situations, working process, and experiences expand new areas of interest and take me on a new path

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My practice often starts from observing around me. So I am used to mediums that are sourced from familiar and common, and deal with subjects as diverse as the notion of play, mobility, education, subculture, etc. “Youth structure” interrogates the notion of college and books. When I was an undergraduate, regardless of their major, everyone saw similar books and concentrate on the same goal. So I asked all my friends to bring their own books that they see during their college life.
‘Difference and Repetition’ can be traced back to my science and engineering background. Which I constantly hear around me because my major is different, “You are different” and the numerous sentences that follow it, made me focus on the notion of difference.
I think I try to overcome the challenges by using my work. ‘Youth Structure’ is one of the reasons why I stand it here and ‘Difference and Repetition’ also track me to overcome the challenge.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Maybe I will head to dessert with my friends and I will find a place that is easy to see the sunrise and sunset. One of the best moments that I saw here was looking at the sunset in silence and also the moment that the darkness covered my body.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My work mainly starts with interest and observation of people. In photography works, people usually appear as subjects, and I thank the people who were willing to be models for my work and my colleagues who helped me with my work. As I proceed with the work, I continue to recognize that the work cannot be done alone. So I would like to send my deep gratitude and love to Calarts community. I have heard “different” a lot because of the other backgrounds, and the notion of difference always comes to me unfamiliar. My experience at Calarts expanded my perspective, deep intimacy, and standing area, also I am able to share work with each others.

Website: giahn.art

Instagram: @giahn.art