Artist in Residence 2023

Minhee Kim

1987, Seoul (Corea del Sud)

La mia attrazione di lunga data per le pietre mi ha condotto all’esplorazione del loro profondo significato storico. Un sito di pietre grezze, infatti, evoca un senso del passato che sfugge alla mia esperienza personale: è un universo traboccante di potenzialità utili a scoprire la provvidenza e la storia naturale che ne è alla base. Grazie al tempo che si è accumulato sopra di loro, le pietre ci conducono in un mondo fatto di innumerevoli domande senza risposta. Proprio come queste, le mie opere fungono da testimonianza dei tempi, incorporando motivi che narrano storie di eventi, fenomeni e persone. Utilizzo le pietre come materiale per catturare la natura imperscrutabile del mondo e le esperienze di coloro che lo abitano. Incidendo ricordi, attimi e impressioni fugaci, altrimenti destinati a svanire, infondo nella pietra un legame tangibile con la storia. Nei miei tentativi di ricreare pietre in silicone o in gesso, mi sforzo di tradurre nel momento presente il loro potere temporale, storico e narrativo.

Mentre contemplo l’impatto devastante del cambiamento climatico, sento il bisogno di esplorare in maniera poetica il rapporto tra l’umanità e l’ambiente esaminando la natura fugace della vita e la sorte comune alle pietre e agli esseri umani: frammenti transitori destinati a tornare alla terra dopo la morte. Il mio obiettivo è trasmettere la sensazione che anche le pietre più massicce soccombono allo scorrere inesorabile del tempo. Vorrei creare una scena difficile da articolare a parole, costruita per via meditativa attraverso l’interazione dell’artista con la pietra, il tempo e lo spazio. In definitiva, desidero scavare più a fondo nell’universo naturale scolpendo le pietre stesse anziché utilizzando materiali artificiali.



Residency report

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the transformative experience I had during the residency program at CIS. My time in Peccia was truly extraordinary, providing an environment that fueled my creative spirit and expanded the horizons of my artistic practice.

In the heart of Peccia, where the echoes of timeless stone resonate, my artistic journey took an unexpected turn. Standing at the intersection of my comfort zone and the formidable world of stone carving, I found myself in uncharted territory. Truth be told, I had never carved stone before coming to Peccia. Despite my lack of prior knowledge, I was able to explore the materiality of stone freely and discover various possibilities for my work. Carving through the layers of accumulated time on stone was no easy task, yet the joy derived from it was so immense that I couldn’t bring myself to stop, even if it meant holding the grinder and chisels for 8 to 10 hours a day.

The enchanting surroundings of Peccia, with its natural wonders, proved to be an endless source of inspiration. It had a profound effect on me, leading me to abandon my previous artistic concepts and immerse myself fully in the rich tapestry of nature. The rooted time, unique character of the place, its history, and memories all became integral elements of my work, pushing me to explore new dimensions in my artistic expression.

As an artist accustomed to working independently in mediums like drawing, painting, and textiles, working and living with fellow artists exposed me to diverse backgrounds, ways of thinking, and working styles. Each artist served as a valuable stone-carving teacher for me, and the supportive atmosphere encouraged me to challenge the approaches to work and thinking.

Working in Peccia felt like a surreal dream—the perfect place to carve stone, where the very essence of the material originates. The infrastructure at CIS was impeccable, providing the ideal conditions to transform my ideas into reality. Behind this perfection, I am deeply grateful to the numerous supporters—fellow artists, technician, exceptional directors, administrative staff, and even the welcoming neighbours. Their collective effort made my life in Peccia comfortable and allowed me to focus entirely on my artistic journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Thank you once again for this life-changing experience. I carry the lessons learned and the memories forged at CIS with me into my future artistic endeavours.