Introduction
When speaking of a talent that can be awakened in an artist who chose to study a subject that can not be farther from art, usually the word destined come to mind. Atta Kim, a talented photographer from Korea is a perfect example of such an artist.
Atta Kim born in 1956 in South Korea, he was always interested in philosophy and literature although he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. It can be seen that his love for photography was stronger than the wish of his father for him to become a college professor and indeed stronger than the specialty that he studied especially considering the fact that it was chosen for him by his friend because of the good opportunities that it offers after graduation.
Main body
When speaking about what influenced his work, Atta refers to such works as Heidegger’s speculations on time and the teachings of Gurdjieff – a spiritual teacher from Armenia who influenced many other photographers. Although not a Buddhist practitioner, the concept of Zen Buddhism ideology as Atta admits serves as a source of inspiration for his works especially the concept of interconnectedness.
The works of Atta involves a lot of digital effects and technical nuances. The experimentation with long exposures in shots that takes up to twenty-four hours and the layering of many photos forming one image from his On-Air collection are some examples of Atta’s implementation of technology to form astonishing effects in his photographs. However, although being modern and up to date in his approach, Atta’s mostly known for the distinctive ideas that are the main focus in his works. Such ideas can be witnessed in his early works were the collection Psychopath where he took photos of mentally ill patients during long interactive sessions in the 1980s. Other distinctive ideas were used in shooting nude models in desolate landscapes representing the birth of a new life after a catastrophe. It can be seen that no matter where the technology goes and whether the digital or film approach is used the future will be based on unique ideas that will set the viewers into thinking differently rather than paying attention to the model of the camera used in taking these pictures.
Other works of Atta include a series called “The Museum”, photographs of people of different naked people included in boxes and put in different places such as malls and exhibitions. As Atta himself called it’s a representation of the modern approach to various aspects of life today resembling religion, materialism, politics, and sexuality.
Conclusion
While many techniques Atta uses are not new, in some context the works of Atta can be considered as a philosophical opinion that was visualized using photography. The On-Air series could be considered as an exploration into the questions of time and the value of people in the modern world. In his “Father” series, the continuous flow from generation to generation can be considered as the main idea.
Whether Atta used black and white or colorful images, long exposures, or a series of shots his work was never an issue of technology. The works of Atta can put a direction on where photographers should look for inspiration for their works. It could be the works of Freud, the concept of religion, or a historical event, the main basis is the idea that can be born as a little spark and the technology as merely a tool to visualize this idea into something bigger. Something has personality and character as the works of Atta Kim.
Works Cited
Gallery. Atta Kim (2008). Web.
In Atta Kim’s Long-Exposure Photographs, Real Time Is the Most Surreal of All. (2006) The New York Times. Web.