The aroma of non-perfumed soap was unmistakable on my visit to Meekyoung Shin's inaugural exhibition at the Haunch of Venison, London, where a number of installations from the Korean artist's ongoing Translation project were on display. On entering the first of a series of rooms, the visitor was confronted by what appeared to be a group of majestic Chinese porcelain vessels, displayed haphazardly on various-sized wooden packing crates, with their shipping labels still visible. On closer inspection these Translation vases were flawed, with some necks tilting awkwardly, and it soon became apparent that they were in fact careful reproductions made in soap and decorated with pigment and varnish.
展开▼
