We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bin Youn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bin below.
Bin, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience stems from emptiness. I vividly remember a time when I lacked any desire to prolong my life. Ironically, this lack of desire propelled me to explore something new and previously neglected—something I considered dangerous. This led me to take up motorcycle riding, and later, dirt biking. I pursued these activities out of a sense of pure spontaneity.
Through challenging myself to engage in unfamiliar pursuits, I have gained valuable lessons and experiences. Embracing activities I had never before attempted has enriched my perspective and strengthened my resilience.
In the journey of life, when you release your desires, you open yourself to a new realm of fulfillment. This cyclical process of emptiness leading to fullness illustrates the intricate nature of our existence.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Upon my return to South Korea on July 18th, my birthday, I reflect on my recent accomplishments, having earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in May 2023. While navigating life as a foreigner in this country, obtaining a job to secure my visa and stabilize my residency was a necessary but challenging endeavor. Although this period was less creatively productive, it provided invaluable experience across various fields, enriching my professional growth.
The decision to leave the United States marks the beginning of a new chapter in my journey. It feels akin to a fledgling bird leaving the nest, poised for new opportunities. I am eager to focus on my artistic career once more, pursuing artist residencies and further developing my practice. This experience has taught me that prioritizing stability over creativity was a valuable lesson, guiding me towards a more fulfilling artistic path.
Returning to Korea doesn’t signify a step backward but rather a continuation of my growth. Each year spent away from my homeland has been instrumental in my professional and personal development. I remain steadfast in pursuing the artistic visions I set out to achieve upon my arrival in the States.
Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about producing meaningful artwork, exhibiting my creations, and engaging in artist residencies. These aspirations drive my artistic endeavors as I explore the intersection of sensory-based moving image installations and the complexities of cultural differences through light, space, and form.
Bin Youn (she/her, b.1990, Seoul, South Korea) is a lens-based multimedia artist specializing in photography and spatial video installations, currently based in Long Beach, California, USA, and Seoul, South Korea. Her work delves into sensory experiences within moving image installations, inviting viewers to navigate through spacetime. Bin’s artistic interests lie in exploring the invisible interactions of light and space, informed by bodily experiences. Her work also examines the ruptures caused by cultural disparities in language.
Youn received her M.F.A. from California State University Long Beach in 2023. She holds a B.A. and B.B.A. in Consumer Family Sciences and Business Administration from Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, and was consistently recognized on the Dean’s list from 2009 to 2011. She also studied abroad at the Paris Graduate School of Management in Paris, France, in 2011.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In the tapestry of my journey, woven with threads of resilience, adaptability, and determination, I offer these verses as a guiding light for those who seek to cultivate these qualities in their own paths.
Unfold
Resilience, a river carving canyons from stone,
Adaptability, a dance with winds, stories untold,
Determination, weaving dreams where seeds are sown.
For those who seek these virtues in their quest,
Embrace resilience, as dawn’s first light unfolds,
From trials emerges strength, a jewel to refine,
And every setback, a path anew, foretold.
Let adaptability be your true north star,
In life’s tapestry, where threads gently rearrange,
Wisdom blooms from flexibility afar,
Navigating storms, finding solace in change.
With determination, let your spirit soar,
A phoenix reborn from ashes of the past,
Each challenge fuels the passion to explore,
Courage forged within, steadfast and vast.
Thus, to all who tread life’s meandering trail,
Nurture these virtues, steadfast and true,
In dreams’ tapestry, your spirit shall prevail,
Guiding you.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
At present, one of the significant challenges I am navigating revolves around transitioning back to my homeland, South Korea, after completing my Master of Fine Arts degree in the United States. The process of re-establishing myself professionally in Korea while continuing to develop my artistic practice presents a complex yet exciting challenge.
Securing opportunities such as artist residencies and exhibitions in a new, yet familiar environment requires careful navigation of cultural nuances and artistic landscapes. Additionally, I am focused on integrating the lessons learned from my previous experiences, where I balanced the necessity of securing visa sponsorship with maintaining creative integrity. This challenge demands both adaptability and resilience as I seek to establish a stable foundation for my artistic career in South Korea.
Overall, while this transition marks a return to my roots, it also represents a new phase in my journey as an artist, where I am determined to leverage my skills and experiences to contribute meaningfully to the art community in Korea and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.binyoun.com
- Instagram: o.binyoun.0
Image Credits
Personal Photo, @sungbinmoon_
Additional Photos, Courtesy of Artist
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