Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayi Kim.
Hi jayi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While studying abroad in the UK, I was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, my work has centered around the concept of “rest.” At the time, I didn’t know how to rest—back then, most Koreans didn’t actively prioritize rest, as the focus was heavily on working harder and achieving success. This led me to realize that a vast majority of Korean people rarely took the time to properly rest. Because I lacked this skill myself, I began researching the concept of rest. I started trying different methods one by one, and I create my artwork using the processes and outcomes that emerge from these experiments.
I explore both static and active forms of rest, having engaged in various activities such as knitting, walking, meditation, farming, and beekeeping. Moving forward, I plan to continue exploring new ways of resting to find the methods that suit me best.
In the beginning, my research focused solely on my own ways of resting. However, in 2018, I became curious about how others rest. This led to the creation of the “Rest Exchange Project,” where visitors share their own methods of rest through a research paper, and in return, I give them a seed kit to grow plants—which is one of my own ways of resting. Through this project, I began wondering if resting methods vary by gender, nationality, cultural background, or living environment (such as cities, coastal areas, or mountains). To investigate this, I am currently conducting interviews with a diverse range of people about how they rest.
Furthermore, during the pandemic when travel was restricted, I began recording sounds from various restful spaces. I thought that while having these recordings might not be the exact same as being there in person, they could still provide at least a small sense of rest to those listening.
Recently, through farming and beekeeping, I have developed a deep interest in the environment, which led to my participation in the 2024 Gwangju Biennale with a related project. I created a farmable space inside the exhibition hall in Gwangju and recruited participants who could travel there without emitting carbon. Together, we cultivated herbs. I then collaborated with a local cafe to develop beverages using those herbs, which were sold throughout the Biennale. This piece demonstrated a structure where crops are locally grown and consumed, prompting people to reflect on where our food comes from.
This year, while tilling the rice paddies and fields, I am reflecting deeply on the concept of community, and I am also brainstorming new methods of rest to experiment with next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest hurdle for me was my health
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a visual artist working primarily with installation and media art. My work centers around the theme of ‘rest,’ and I constantly explore and research various ways of resting
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I build my network by participating in artist residency programs around the world.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jayikim.com
- Instagram: jayi_kim
Image Credits
Jayi Kim, Exhibition view, 15th Gwangju Biennale (2024). Image courtesy of Gwangju Biennale Foundation. Photo: Studio Possiblezone.
