책갈피 (Bookmark) | 2018
Through my series, "Impermanence and Imperfection," I've cultivated a deeper connection with nature, which has become a meditative practice for me. This journey inspired my ongoing project, "책갈피" (Bookmark). Traditionally, bookmarks are used to capture inspirational moments, hold thoughts, or mark a pause in reading. Notably, from the 1990s to the early 2000s in Korea, people crafted bookmarks by encasing leaves in plastic film, a gesture that both appreciated and preserved the fleeting beauty of nature and stirred a sense of nostalgia.
Living immersed in nature, I am daily confronted with its wonders—sand, rocks, leaves, and dust. To truly honor this beauty, I use Hanji, known for its warmth and delicate texture, to encase these natural elements. This practice of sealing nature has evolved into a daily meditative ritual for me, transforming each bookmark into a personal record of life. Each one preserves a moment of beauty I've discovered, serving as a daily reminder of the natural world's transient yet profound splendor.