Mono by Jooeun Bae

Issue 160

The ordinary morning in lockdowns. I started my day by having the usual breakfast: fried eggs, bacon, a piece of bread with some jam on, and the essential, coffee. I would normally have breakfast with my family, but I was alone that day. Thus, I was eating in silence, and the coffee cup, plate, and utensils got my attention and noticed some details. Because I used them every day, they were chipped and scratched. Then I started seeing how original and unique the objects are. I reflect on myself how I got too used to them because they were always there for me. Don't we forget to acknowledge the individuality of the people who have always been here for us like the coffee cup next to me?

Family, significant others, friends, colleagues, and more, regardless of the number of people, we all live lives involving relationships with others. I want you to think of people that have been and will always be there for you. Great memories may cross your mind, but aren't we still taking them for granted because we don't acknowledge their individuality? If we try to recognize the uniqueness only they have, we will be able to see how special every individual is and appreciate every moment we share with them.

For 'Mono-,' I choose 30 everyday objects, I use, as a metaphor for 30 people I often undervalue the worth of those close to me merely because I have gotten comfortable with having them around. Each object represents each person. I write simple sentences on every piece to describe who I am talking about. I photograph each item, then I print the photos to handcraft collages. The series reveals each object's individuality and uniqueness through handmade collages, unlike the usual photographs that can be reproduced. Frames of the works are hand-painted along with the handwritten descriptions next to the preserved collages to emphasize each person's individuality. Similar to making one-off collage works, I hope we can acknowledge and perceive the uniqueness of the people around us.

Jooeun Bae (she/her) lives and works in Seoul, South Korea
jooeunbae.com | @jooeunbae