FIG #00 – Figbruary Challenge: Landscape
Figbruary Challenge: Landscape using Figma and Bezi 3D
Decided to create a skybox with ugly drawings on figma. And it was fun, reminded me of my old studies.
First foray into VR was about 12 years ago, but I didn’t know what it was at the time. I was creating equirectangular projection for Quicktime. I photographed an old memorial, Jeoldusan Martyr’s Shrine. The area is known in the past as an execution ground for converted Catholics. Also, next to the shrine is the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery, another burial ground of Christians.
I was first introduced to the location by an architecture book. It described the shrine as a post modernist architecture strongly expressing the site in the shape of a traditional hat called “Gat”. The translation of the shrine is the mountain of the beheaded. Probably, the reason why the architect was so bold in letting the form dictate the space. Many consider it ugly, but I feel the right description is grotesque. And I say it with layers. As the architecture expressed its opinion humanely and with much political impetus of the historical era and the era to come.
It was weird being there, knowing blood had been spilled over the land. I undoubtedly had an emotional attachment to the place as I learned more about the history of the location.
The space itself demanded respect for solemness and asked for anguish. And I wanted to capture that feeling. I attempted expressing this by retouching the projection to convey the eeriness of the grounds. A sense of hollowness and liminality with a mixture of fear.
The shrine was my first attempt in personally expressing a space, not for what it was, but for how I understood it. I have a fond memory of the work, which I still retain in my mind. An inconspicuous impact. Looking at today’s work I did, I can say I’m still drawn to creating these liminal experiences.
