Page 5 - 김경희 KIM Kyunghee 개인전 사람의 나무 Tree of Man

Not long ago, rows of metasequoia trees stood near the living room windows, obscuring
the sunlight and the scenery of the space. The trees were severely trimmed along with the
nests inside. Now, behind the tree’s scarred visage, the distant scenery is revealed in all its
glory. Tree of Man - a tree planted by human need but destined to be felled by human necessity.

Trees hold great significance in human lives as they provide material benefits and evoke
emotions of solace and aesthetic delight. Reflecting on their adaptive existence in the ev-
er-changing cycles of nature, we seek meaning in our own lives. Just like how trees shed their
leaves, reminding us of the ephemeral and finite nature of our existence, they also bud again in
spring, regaining their lushness and inspiring us with their resilient life force that triumphs over
death. The usefulness and symbolism of trees are why we often desire their presence in our
lives. Despite encountering countless trees every day, whether real, artificial, plastic, or as flat-
tened images, we often fail to consciously acknowledge their presence in our mundane lives,
especially those that are artificial or cultivated.

I am more drawn to trees in the city than trees in nature, which are often overly aes-
theticized, as I am frequently fascinated by everyday objects and urban landscapes. TREE OF
MAN depicts the appearance of trees in our surroundings. In a single frame, it conveys both
the animalistic human nature that seeks to objectify trees and expand the world, and the trees
that accept their given world and find their place within it. Humans, much like trees, are shaped
by the circumstances of their birth and environment. Just as humans are not free to choose
where or when they are born, trees in the city may not desire to be planted in inhospitable urban
environments. However, trees face their fate and persist till the end. TREE OF MAN embodies
the unconscious yearning to live like a tree and encourages us to “see trees anew” and “rethink
the meaning of life.”

KIM KYUNGHEE

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