작업 소개

57STUDIO는 2019년 서울문화재단 최초예술지원사업에 선정되어 자체 기획한 LENZ Magazine Project를 진행하였습니다. LENZ는 텍스트를 청각과 시각으로 확장하여 새로운 해석과 감각적 접근을 제안하는 Audio Visual Magazine입니다.

이 프로젝트는 텍스트를 선정하고 이를 다양한 방식으로 해석하며, 텍스트에서 시작되는 텍스처(Text-ure)를 탐구하는 과정으로 이루어졌습니다.

첫 번째 텍스처는 북촌에 위치한 공간 yyyyynnn으로, 이 공간을 디자인한 이진경, 곽영원 디자이너와 함께 작업의 철학과 과정을 중심으로 공간을 해석하는 다양한 이야기를 나누었습니다.

57STUDIO launched the LENZ Magazine Project in 2019 as a self-initiated endeavor after being selected for the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s First Arts Support Program. LENZ is an Audio Visual Magazine that expands textual content into auditory and visual dimensions, offering new interpretations and sensory approaches.

The project involved selecting texts, interpreting them through various methods, and exploring the textures (Text-ures) that stem from these texts. The first texture focused on the space yyyyynnn located in Bukchon, where designers Jin-kyung Lee and Young-won Kwak engaged in discussions about the philosophy and process behind their work, offering diverse interpretations of the space.

MeeJee Lee: One of the most important aspects of creating a book is the ‘spacing’ between letters. When letters are too close together vertically, it creates a sense of suffocation. On the other hand, when there is just the right amount of empty space, it provides a sense of calm and balance. Similarly, I believe we all need small spaces of appropriate ‘gaps’ in our lives. In a routine packed with work, we look for a space where our bodies can rest, and in relationships filled with people, we seek a place where our minds can pause. What kind of place comes to mind for you right now? Audio Visual Magazine LENZ. The first story begins now.

MeeJee Lee: The sound you’re hearing right now captures the ambiance of yyyyynnn in Samcheong-dong. From the mechanical hum of a coffee machine to soothing music and people’s voices, it may seem like a familiar soundscape, but somehow, this space feels uniquely special. Today, we’ll be sharing stories about yyyyynnn. I’m MeeJee Lee, the editor-in-chief of LENZ. Joining me in this discussion are two contributors. Could you please introduce yourselves?

Jiro: Hello, I’m Jiro, a contributor for this project.

Borisu: Hello, I’m Borisu, also a contributor.

MeeJee Lee: When was the first time you both visited yyyyynnn?

Borisu: My first time was when I came here with you after you introduced me to the place.

Jiro: I often pass by this area because of the galleries and museums nearby. One day, this striking space caught my eye, and I ended up walking in by chance.

MeeJee Lee: My studio is near here, so I often walk down Yoon Bo Sun Road. One day, I was passing by with a friend, and suddenly something unfamiliar caught my eye. I thought, “Was this place always here?” To me, it felt like seeing a giant photographic artwork. What were your first impressions?

Jiro: I didn’t even realize it was a café when I first walked in. But as I stepped inside, I noticed how pronounced the textures and layers were—the texture of the walls, for instance. The impression I got from the bathroom mirror was particularly striking. Initially, I thought the place was just modern, but as I looked around, every corner had an air of uniqueness.

Borisu: I also noticed the mirrors a lot. The furniture has various textures, but none of them feel repetitive—they’re all spread out uniquely. For example, there’s a small scratched mirror near the entrance against a cement wall, and as you move deeper into the space, there’s an entire wall covered in mirrors with a strikingly vibrant blue chair placed in front of it. There’s a lot of variation, but it doesn’t feel loud or out of place. Instead, it feels as if these things have always belonged there. Later, when I learned that the people running this space also designed the interior and made the furniture themselves, it made sense why it gave off that feeling.

MeeJee Lee: Achieving that kind of natural look is such a challenging thing to do. What struck me about yyyyynnn’s space was its nonchalance. Typically, when someone puts so much effort into creating a space, there are elements designed to make it shine or stand out. But this space doesn’t do that—it just feels effortlessly placed, like everything is casually laid down. That aspect was incredibly charming to me. At first, yyyyynnn felt quite bold and strong, but the more I visited, the more I felt this understated, effortless appeal that kept drawing me back. That’s probably why we wanted to feature yyyyynnn’s story as LENZ’s first project. So, let’s officially dive into the discussion with both of you.

MeeJee Lee: We are joined by the two designers from STUDIO UNRAVEL, the creators of yyyyynnn. Please introduce yourselves.

Jinkyoung Lee: Hello, I’m Jinkyoung Lee, a designer at STUDIO UNRAVEL.

Youngwon Kwak: Hello, I’m designer Youngwon Kwak.

MeeJee Lee: Before we invited you two, we had a conversation with Bori-soo and Jiro about their first impressions of yyyyynnn. Thanks to the unique aura of this space, the discussion kept flowing naturally. One of the questions we were most curious about was, how did this place come to be? How did it all start for you?

Youngwon Kwak: We initially wanted to create a showroom for STUDIO UNRAVEL. The goal was to design a space that could fully reflect our tastes and preferences, so that’s how we began planning it.

Jinkyoung Lee: Up until now, we’ve mainly focused on projects for our clients’ spaces, but we wanted to share our own tastes and stories with not only specific individuals but also the general public. That’s why we envisioned this space, and we thought the most approachable way to do so would be through a café, which led to this concept.

Jiro: I was also curious about something else. It seems like you’re not just focused on designing spaces, but you also have a deep interest in art and visual arts. Especially since yyyyynnn is located in Samcheong-dong, where there are so many museums and galleries. I wanted to ask if exhibitions or artworks are something you’re particularly interested in.

Youngwon Kwak: I think I’ve always been interested. As we briefly mentioned earlier, whenever we start a new project or try to organize our thoughts, we often begin by looking at certain artworks or drawing inspiration from cultural studies. From there, we develop those ideas into our designs. While it’s something we naturally encounter, I feel like I personally don’t spend as much time directly observing or experiencing artworks these days. Interestingly, many of our clients now have such refined tastes that they often introduce us to works we hadn’t seen before—sometimes things that aren’t widely available. So, I think I’m in a phase where I’m experiencing art both directly and indirectly through these interactions.

Jinkyoung Lee: Although I work as a designer, I’ve rarely felt deeply moved by other designers’ works. However, when I encountered artworks or spaces created by artists, I was deeply touched by the aura they carried. I wanted to express that kind of feeling in my own work, which is why I’ve often drawn inspiration from artists’ creations and their art.

Borisu: The world feels like it’s changing trends really quickly these days. Do you find that trends influence your designs at yyyyynnn?

Jinkyoung Lee: Trends definitely influence us a lot, and I think part of why we’ve done well is because what we do aligns with the trends that people are drawn to.

MeeJee Lee: The thing about trends is that if you’re even a little bit behind, it’s impossible to keep up. When creating this space, did you have any non-negotiables—something that you knew you had to stick to? It might not be a trend exactly, but was there a key element you made sure to include?

Jinkyoung Lee: Rather than having a specific key point, there’s something we always tell each other: “Let’s not do something that we’ve seen elsewhere.” Even if it’s something we’ve done before, we try not to replicate our own past work. So, we often look to art for inspiration—unique and original pieces that guide us toward something independent.

Youngwon Kwak: Talking about trends, we don’t actively chase them, but there are natural opportunities to encounter them. Unlike other interior companies or designers working in spaces, we often collaborate with fashion brands. I think that naturally aligned us with certain trends. Early on, we also drew a lot from art and focused on personal projects to put our name out there—not sure if I’d call it “promotion,” but that’s how we began building recognition. I feel like what started from those foundations has grown and evolved into what we’re doing today.

Borisu: Changing furniture isn’t exactly an easy task, right? But during this LENZ project, I noticed that sometimes when I visited, a different painting was hanging, or the sofa color had completely changed. And now, even this table we’re recording on is about to be replaced. I was curious—what’s the reason behind constantly giving the space a new look?

Jinkyung Lee: Well, as designers, we’re always looking for something new, and even personally, I rarely stay attached to the same things for long. My preferences constantly change, and when they do, I have a strong urge to express those changes. We also like to experiment with materials and ideas. So, it feels natural to rearrange, replace, and create something new—showcasing who we are, what we’re interested in, and the experiments we’re working on. That’s the essence of this space.

Youngwon Kwak: It ties back to the original purpose and direction we had when creating this space. It’s true that it takes a lot of effort, but this is the only place where we can freely express ourselves without the limitations we face in client projects. It feels like a natural and liberating way for us to experiment and show our work. But, of course, it’s not always easy—even changing the photos on the wall took several months.

Borisu: Changing furniture isn’t an easy task, is it? But during the LENZ project, I noticed things like a different painting hanging on the wall, the sofa color completely changed, or even the table we’re recording on now, which you mentioned is set to be replaced. I’m curious—why do you constantly bring changes to the space?

Jinkyung Lee: Well, as designers, we’re always striving for something new, and personally, I don’t like sticking to the same things for too long. My preferences constantly evolve, and when they do, I feel this strong desire to express those changes. We also love experimenting with new materials and ideas. That’s why we want to rearrange and transform everything at least once—to showcase something fresh and demonstrate who we are, what we’re interested in, and what we’re currently experimenting with. It’s a space that allows us to express that.

Youngwon Kwak: It really ties back to our initial purpose for creating this space—the original direction we had in mind. It’s true that a lot of effort goes into it, but if we don’t express these ideas here, there’s a limit to how much we can explore in client projects. This space provides a natural and somewhat freer way for us to experiment. But it’s definitely not easy. Even changing a single painting took us months to prepare.

To be continued in Vol. 2…