[K-ART FOCUS] Yeon Jin-yeong challenges conventions of masculinity
A U.S. military uniform becomes a bathrobe. Combat boots take on the soft, playful look of jelly shoes. A military duffel bag becomes a Birkin-style handbag. A urinal is adorned with colorful beads, as though it, too, needs accessories to stand out. Bathroom mirrors are covered with images of male fashion models drawn from the artist's own Instagram feed. Inside a former military bathroom and…
![[K-ART FOCUS] Yeon Jin-yeong challenges conventions of masculinity](/img/19276251)
In a former military bathroom and shower at Camp Greaves in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, artist Yeon Jin-yeong transforms symbols of traditional masculinity into something unexpected and playful. Combat boots become jelly shoes, military duffel bags transform into Birkin-style handbags, and urinals are adorned with colorful beads. Even bathroom mirrors are covered in images of male fashion models sourced from the artist's personal Instagram feed.
The installation, part of the "DMZ Open Exhibition: Staging," aims to challenge and question Korea's evolving perceptions of masculinity. As Yeon explains, the constant portrayal of conventionally attractive men in his social media feeds makes him feel increasingly dissatisfied with himself.
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- [K-ART FOCUS] Yeon Jin-yeong challenges conventions of masculinity koreatimes.co.kr
