The effect was immediate.
Maybe I was in desperate need of architecture or maybe he was just that good.
He being Tadao Ando—of whom many of you already know and of whom I, a confessed Brutalism Junkie, had never heard of—and immediately after walking into the Art Nouveau complex on Jeju, I felt it—just this strange concoction of cold and comfort. Of nature and material. Of absolutely nothing, but beautiful sectioned-off space. The exhibition was fine, whatever, there’s only so excited one can get over glassworks from the 20th century, but just to walk around this space was calming beyond description.
In retrospect, maybe I should have made these shots color? For the simple act of visual juxtaposition-ing? Oh, I don't know. If you see color photos, then I changed my mind from black and white. But just as you’re on this journey with me, so shall our introduction and exploration of new art, artists and architects be.
Meaning I know nothing about Tadao, but after this, and after finding out he’s Japanese, have already planned us a few more of his works to visit while there. So I’ll hold off copy + pasting a bunch of stuff I don’t know, and we’ll learn as it comes to us.
So here's what I know: As soon as seeing his building, I knew I wanted inside, despite not knowing what, or whom, was in there.
And boy ain’t I glad I did.
More, as mentioned, as he comes to us.
