[K-ART FOCUS] For Choi Sung-im, bread ties become golden blanket

In the tranquil art space nestled within Seoul’s Samcheong-dong, a striking carpet graces the entrance of Sunhyewon. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the "Golden Blanket" (2026) by Choi Sung-im is a hand-woven masterpiece crafted from the gold wire ties typically used to seal bread bags. The expansive 6.2-meter by 4.8-meter installation took a month to create by hand and serves as the focal point of PODO Museum’s exhibition "A Note From Trembling Things."

For Choi, a blanket transcends mere household utility. It is the first visual landscape she encounters as she awakens each morning, enveloping her body as if offering a larger-than-life embrace. To create this immersive piece, Choi envisioned it as a threshold, akin to the wooden floor of a traditional Korean hanok, where the interior and exterior worlds converge.

The exhibition delves into the multifaceted ways in which individuals inhabit the world, showcasing works by Choi, Lebanese-British artist Mona Hatoum, and Korean artist Kim Yun-soo. Choi's creation serves as a poignant reminder of our vulnerability, emphasizing that every living being undergoes change and, in turn, experiences vulnerability.