The constant.

The only constant in my life is change.  Change will come and I've managed to deal with it well. Even times when it doesn't come, I force it to happen.  I get antsy with the comfortable life but maybe I'm just scared of being normal.  My greatest fear growing up was dying alone, but these days, I seek solitude and fear being like everyone else.  In Princeton, we all drive to the same place; Target or Trader Joe's.  Anytime of the day, its like an apocalypse is about to happen.  Families frantically stocking up on their produce and dry products.  We've been having bi-weekly trips to New York and even with the congestion and traffic, its a bit of fresh air.  The only city that I feel comfortable calling home.  Even with all those changes to Flatbush avenue, Brooklyn is still the borough I spent 10 of my past 35 years in.  35 going on 36.  It's odd because I feel 50 plus and I realize I'm only in my mid thirties.

I spent the early half of my 30's in South Korea.  Within the small country, we've managed to move 3 times.  Seoul is a city I can't remember entirely.  Everything that's happened within the past 5 and a half years seem like it all took place within a vacuum.  Nightly drinking binges, afternoon rice wine binges, the chain smoking, karaoke rooms and chicken delivery.  You can have just about anything delivered in Korea and just about anything is open till the early morning.  Cost of going out is moderately cheap.

Moving back to the states, so much and so little has changed.  Maybe I was never the savvy business man, or the serious artist but navigating the world of entrepreneurship and self-promotion has become harder than when I had left.  When I left back in 2010, these are some of the things I did not own:

1. iphone
2. instagram account
3. linkedin account
4. etsy account
5. pinterest account
6. chairish account

I think I'm forgetting a couple of accounts but yeah, never have I had so many accounts before.  And quite frankly, none are making me any richer or more famous.

Yesterday I opened up a GIPHY account and started uploading some videos and turning them into GIFs.








With so many outlets, the biggest challenge will be editing the ways we approach business or self-promotion.  The other challenge will be to carefully curate the way we utilize this new way of living.
Some days I feel as if I'm trapped within my instagram feed.  Other days I want to drift to sleep and dream.  But the world is not the way I left it, and it will never be that way again.

Activism in Art

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

-Niemöller

Art has a profound impact on culture.  Most can agree with that.  Its been used as propaganda and also a way to spark hope.

Its been used to critique social wrongs and make a message.  Pussy Riot comes to mind.  

Considering the role of the artist as an activist, it was never clear to me, what duties if any, should an artist have to take on.  Are they obligated to tackle current issues dealing with social inequality and injustice?  Seeing that most artists enjoy staying out of current affairs, my feelings toward activism never strayed far from just being thoughts.  But today I was reminded of a quote I first read inside a Sepultura cd by Niemöller.

Its our duty as citizens to do what we can.  To voice our opinions and fight for what we believe in.  As artists, our tool is the paintbrush, the camera; our voice may be small but a small voice is better than having none.

courtesy of botheman.com

Goldmine Studios and the start of something new

We've all started blogs before and I am no exception.  I've started and closed many blogs; topics ranging from cinema to things that make me angry but this time I tell myself it will be different.  I've changed my habits over the years and learned how to focus.  Studied the masters before me and have considered not even starting a new blog.  But....  I have thought long and hard and have decided to start a new blog and link it to our site for a new gallery space we have opened up.  

Background information:

I am Bo Lee.  I am a video artist.  I went to Pratt Institute.  For the past five years, I have been in South Korea and recently opened up a gallery space, calling it Goldmine Studios.  (www.goldmine-studios.com)  The mission of this gallery space is to support emerging and new artists and promote creative growth locally.  

Reason for this blog:

I know there are plenty of blogs on art criticism.  I know there are plenty of blogs with artist's thoughts on a particular show or exhibition.  I'm not going to say this blog will be any different, but what I can say is that I hope the readers will come along with me on this ride.  I've started something new and I'm going to continue down this path for the forceable future.  There will be obstacles and many ups and downs but in the end, all I want is to learn, grow and hopefully record the information I collect.