We’re committed to sharing stories of those who continue to inspire us - because we could all use some extra light in our lives. Our next artist, Jaye Moon, is known for using her artwork as a universal, communication tool.
Moon’s most recent work, The Wizard of Oz, is one of those pieces that just sticks with you. It was just installed at Nam Jun Paik Art Center in Korea for a show called “The Future of Silence: when your tongue vanishes.” The exhibit examines language and it’s cultural representation - so it only makes sense that Moon’s work is included.
The New York based Korean artist was inspired by Nam June Paik’s himself after seeing his monumental piece, “Electronic- Superhighway : Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii.” She was struck by his incorporation of media technology and the bridge it created between different people and cultures. Moon ran with this concept in creating ‘Wizard of Oz’
The famous movie’s script was translated into Korean Braille and then Moon reconstructed the Braille pattern using 50,000 Lego and Soho bricks. The Braille system is based on binary code, which can be universally interchangeable. Legos are also based on a numerical system, so translating the bricks into Braille not only creates a visual, but also acts as a universal language. Moon used colors that were representative in the film: yellow for the brick road, red for the ruby slippers, shades of green to mark the Emerald City. The final piece is aw-inspiring and transformative.
Her dedication to creating works of art that can be appreciated and understood by a diverse culture is the kind of inspiration we could all use right now. No matter where we come from, we all truly have so much in common. Thank you, Moon, for continuing to use art as an inclusive form of universal communication.
With love,
Marisa
