Reconstruction of Existence

Can a name alone fully encapsulate a person’s existence? In Korea, mother-of-pearl nameplates symbolize social status and authority, reducing identity to just three characters. But can a lifetime of effort, experience, and memory truly fit within such a confined structure? Do the spaces between letters hold meaning, or does identity blur when a name is fragmented?

Korean names typically consist of a surname followed by a two-character given name, often composed of Chinese characters, each carrying distinct meanings. But when these characters are separated, does their original meaning remain intact? If the strokes of a character are divided, does it still hold the same significance? If the letters are spaced far apart, does the name still function as a name, or does it become a mere collection of symbols?

This artwork deconstructs and reconstructs the names of nine individuals with whom the artist has shared meaningful connections. Each name, scattered and fragmented, still carries the weight of shared memories and relationships. When these disassembled names are displayed together, do they form a map of human connections, or do they lose their original meaning entirely? This work explores the boundaries of identity, language, and recognition, questioning whether a name alone can truly define a person.