South Korean fashion has been garnering a lot of interest around the world especially in today’s times with the booming international popularity of K-pop and K-Drama shows. In contrast to that, my project, "받아들임 - Acceptance," is a photographic exploration of Korean heritage and identity. It captures individuals of Korean descent, whether adopted or having lived in the US for a long time, wearing traditional Hanbok garments in contemporary and studio environments. By translating these photographs into 3D printed lithophanes, I aim to create a visual dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Hanbok, which translates to "Korean clothing," has a rich history dating back to the era of The Three Kingdoms of Korea, and continues to be an important symbol of Korean cultural identity. Lithophanes, on the other hand, are a medium that has existed since the 1820s, but can be traced back to ancient China. By placing these traditional garments in a modern context and representing them through the use of cutting-edge technology, I aim to demonstrate their continued relevance and beauty in today's world.
This project is an amalgamation of tradition and modernity in both the representation of the garments and the methods used. The idea is to show that tradition can coexist with the present and how contemporary environments and photography can bring new perspectives to it. Furthermore, it highlights how people can connect with their cultural heritage in different ways, and create a sense of acceptance and pride in one's identity.