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: This is the final story of LENZ’s first episode, Text-ure. We’re continuing our conversation with STUDIO UNRAVEL designers, Jin-kyung Lee and Young-won Kwak, about yyyyynnn. Have you ever worked on a collaborative project like this before?

Young-won Kwak: Honestly, this was our first time. We’ve had many requests for planning or exhibition collaborations in the past, but we often turned them down because we felt the projects didn’t align with our vision, or the timing wasn’t right. But this time, we decided to move forward with it.

MeeJee Lee: Did you receive any feedback or reactions after completing this collaborative project for the first time?

Jin-kyung Lee: People were really surprised. They said, “You actually did it. You finally did it.” And the feedback about the quality and completion level was overwhelmingly positive. Many didn’t expect us to kick off with such a high-caliber project. For us, it turned out to be an incredibly meaningful opportunity and experience.

Young-won Kwak: One thing I really appreciated, as you mentioned earlier, was how the expressions in this project weren’t direct but rather indirect, subtly revealed within the space. It felt like everything was interpreted one step further, which ultimately led to something even more aesthetically pleasing than we initially imagined. That’s probably why people responded with, “You finally did it.” But honestly, beyond external feedback, our own satisfaction was quite high. Through this project, we found ourselves looking at textures differently. Additionally, as the lighting levels changed in the space, we started noticing new directions and possibilities for the space. So, rather than focusing on what others had to say, I think the conclusion for us was that we were glad we got to see and experience the space in this new way.

Ji-ro: So, I’m really curious about something. You mentioned that this project is just the beginning. If it’s the start, then it seems like there’s been a change already, and I imagine there will be more changes in the future. I’m really wondering what comes next. What kind of space do you envision for yyyyynnn moving forward?

Jin-kyung Lee: First and foremost, I want it to become a platform for conveying the message of UNREVEL. Even if not everyone shares the same thoughts or ideas, I hope people with similar values and a desire to create can come here and work together. We want to keep pushing ourselves to do new things, and I hope the space continues to offer us those opportunities.

Young-won Kwak: A space where actions keep happening? It’s not really about changing specific things or rearranging furniture—those things are more about our experiments and we’re satisfied with them. As I mentioned before, the idea is for the space to be empty enough for different people to come and create a synergy. That’s probably what’s most important for us.

Image: I like that.

Borisu: When we discussed this earlier, we talked a lot about “style.” It made me think that there might be a different standard for “style” here. So, I want to ask you: what does “style” mean to you at yyyyynnn? That’s my last question.

Kwak Young-won: That’s a tough one.

Ji-ro: It’s a bit like “Radio Star” now.

Jin-kyung Lee: We intentionally made it that way. We tried to create something that, when people don’t recognize it, feels like it was always meant to be that way. When I think about artists’ works, they go through immense contemplation to create something, but we only see the result. But we call that “style.” It’s the result of that process. Even though we don’t flaunt it, we want people to understand that process.

Kwak Young-won: The creator’s mind is shaking, but the viewer sees it as simple. That’s the “style,” right?

MeeJee Lee: That’s exactly what makes something truly “stylish.”

MeeJee Lee: It feels like yyyyynnn and we at LENZ have experimented together with a new approach. Thank you so much for joining us in our imperfect and precarious first experiment. By the way, do you have any upcoming events? Of course, this video will be released after the event has passed, but is there anything planned?

Jin-kyung Lee: Tomorrow, actually. From 7 PM on December 27th, we’ll be serving drinks. But it’s not just about the drinks—there’ll be music as well. We’ve selected music that fits the atmosphere of our space, and our friend “DJ Aso” will be playing. This will be the second part of our planned project after the first one with LENZ’s Text-ure.

MeeJee Lee: Is there a name for this project?

Jin-kyung Lee: It’s called Glass Night.

MeeJee Lee: Well, let’s watch the Glass Night video, and we’ll also say our goodbyes to the two of you from yyyyynnn. Thank you so much for joining us today.

Jin-kyung Lee: Thank you.

Kwak Young-won: Thank you.

MeeJee Lee: yyyyynnn was a place I visited frequently while working on the first LENZ project. It felt like a lot of homework, and on the first day of the project, I was both nervous and excited, like the night before a school trip. Now, the first LENZ recording here is coming to an end. I’m curious about the impressions of the two contributors who have been with me throughout this project. How was it for you both?

Borisu: During the LENZ project, we had the chance to meet people we wouldn’t normally get to meet. Especially in this case, we got to meet the two designers who not only run the yyyyynnn cafe but also design the space. We were able to ask all sorts of questions. We even went down to the experimental lab, which was a different experience for us. Seeing how the furniture that the public uses is made and learning about that process was really eye-opening.

Ji-ro: I feel very similar to Borisu. I had many thoughts and questions when I first saw the space. It was great to be able to discuss those thoughts with the people who designed the space. I’ve always been really interested in materials and textures, so not just the space, but also the hidden underground lab was a great experience. Sometimes we got to sneak a peek, and other times we were shown directly. It was fascinating to learn about the materials and the approach they take. It was a very enriching experience for me.

MeeJee Lee: Thanks to both of you, I was able to focus on the project and enjoy it more. It was truly rewarding and fun, so thank you. Please continue to join us as contributors for LENZ.

Next, we will return with a story about the people behind making books.
This was brought to you by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and 57STUDIO. The author was Lee Seong-ui. I’m MeeJee Lee

Thank you.