Auroras, natural phenomena occurring in outer space, have long evoked awe and a sense of mystery in humans. Their beautiful and rare appearances have made them an object of admiration, often inspiring numerous artists with their ever changing, brillia...
Auroras, natural phenomena occurring in outer space, have long evoked awe and a sense of mystery in humans. Their beautiful and rare appearances have made them an object of admiration, often inspiring numerous artists with their ever changing, brilliant forms. In particular, their distinctive colors and shapes serve as key elements enabling infinite creative possibilities. This study focuses on the aurora's sculptural characteristics, which resemble a dancing form, and its vivid, multicolored features. By translating region-specific auroral appearances into ceramic works, the research aims to visually express a new, sensory experience of this fluid natural phenomenon.
Departing from conventional approaches centered on photography or video, the purpose of this study is to present a new method for experiencing auroras through ceramic expression. To materialize such an ephemeral subject, the researcher reinterpreted and applied the characteristics of folk dances from aurora-occurring regions as a medium of expression. Traditionally, folk dances have symbolized rituals toward nature and served as a means of communicating with it. Their regionally distinctive features were seen as effective tools for visualizing the dancing nature of auroras. Theoretical research into both auroras and folk dances confirmed the possibility of visualizing regionally diverse auroras through the unique traits of corresponding folk dances. Accordingly, the researcher derived a production method that reflects the visual characteristics of auroras particularly their vivid colors through the integration of sculptural elements from folk dances.
Prior to production, the researcher identified shared sculptural elements rhythm, autonomy, and dynamism between the visual characteristics of auroras and the formal features of folk dances. By applying curves and undulations to the surface, the work expresses the rhythmic flow caused by variations in auroral intensity and the gestures of dancers. The flexible transformation of forms is visualized through smooth lines and twists, symbolizing both auroras and the movement of traditional costume decorations and props. The dynamic movement of auroral substorms and dancing auroras is captured through variations in line thickness and extended organic curves, while also reflecting the fluidity of folk dance steps. The vividness of auroral colors was emphasized through color field composition, aiming to convey the intense visual impact the researcher experienced. Color also played a key role in highlighting the organic forms and enhancing the clarity of each tone.
Based on this approach, the researcher produced a series of works. Visual references on auroras and folk dances by region were analyzed, followed by idea sketches based on their shared formal characteristics. Prior to forming the pieces, various pigment mixing experiments were conducted to replicate the aurora’s unique colors, confirming their feasibility in ceramic glaze application. Slip-casting was used for forming, and after the first firing, the resulting pigment combinations were applied to the bisque engobe. The decorative composition using the division of line and surface effectively captured the intense visual characteristics of auroras.
This study reinterprets the aurora as perceived by the researcher through the lens of regional folk dance, and translates its strong and impressive visual image into organic forms and vivid colors, presenting a new sensory interpretation of a natural phenomenon. By expressing the rarely observed aurora through a new method of ceramic sculpture, the study hopes to allow viewers to share in the aesthetic fantasy felt by the researcher. Furthermore, this study aims to serve as a meaningful case of reinterpretation between intangible natural phenomena and tangible human creations, contributing to the expansion of expressive possibilities within ceramic art.