Trevi Fountain, Rome (Textus #053-1)

Born in 1978, Seung Hoon Park lives and works in Seoul, South Korea. Recognized since 2005 for the international exhibitions stylish, Park Seung Hoon graduated from the photography department of the College of Chung-Ang University in Seoul in 2009, and the photography department Shin-Gu College in 2005.

This artist casts a critical eye on cities. They go from symbols of wealth to the urban asphyxia. He tries to show the complexity of today cities through large slides composed of a tangle where the eye is lost, and through his series "Picture Writing".

Park weaves strips of film together to produce visually intriguing compositions where a fragmented world comes together in complex arrangements. Part collage, part photography, part tapestry, these fragmented interpretations of iconic buildings and landmarks are truly something to ponder over. Each image begins with 8mm or 16mm camera film strips which he lays down in rows to create a larger surface that effectively acts as a single piece of film. Park then exposes two images in a large format 8×10″ camera using sets of vertical and horizontal strips which are woven together to create a final print. The photographer has traveled to locations around the world including Rome, Milan, Venice and Prague to shoot images for this ongoing series titled Textus. Throughout the series his unique approach redefines the typical landscape in mosaic style.

To create the unique photographs, Park uses positive 16mm movie film that he cuts into strips and loads into a large format camera. "When processed the result is a mosaic of films, like a detailed patchwork composed of an inextricable labyrinth where the eye can get lost," he explains.

The final image is a blend of mediums: both photograph as well as woven textile. By threading the film together, Park creates beautifully captivating scenes with textured distortions. The composition instantly comes together as a whole, but upon closer inspection, the details of the tiny squares reveal incomplete parts and unexpected divides that make the final results even more exciting.