'CHROMA' by Yunchul Kim: Art that Bridges Humanity, Technology, and the Universe

Pia Diamandis -

South Korean artist Yunchul Kim often works at the intersection of art, technology and science. His prowess has even been recognized by the 2016 Collide International Award by CERN, the premier European organization for nuclear research. One of his most renowned pieces has been his CHROMA series, a series of kinetic sculptures that twist and bend while suspended from the ceiling. Individual CHROMA pieces are made from a chain of motors much like a bicycle chain. 

CHROMA IX by Yunchul Kim. Image courtesy of Yunchul Kim’s website.

The pieces twist and turn in the shape of undulating spirals, a celestial pattern that exists in everything from human DNA to machine gears and even outer space galaxies. Here, CHROMA becomes a symbol of the connections between humanity, machines, and the universe. It shows that all three are one and the same; hence, the development of one should not trample over the other. It calls for balance in every corner of the universe. 

Detail of CHROMA IX by Yunchul Kim. Image courtesy of Yunchul Kim’s website.

In today’s world, where people’s lives are often cast aside in the name of technological progress, CHROMA reminds its audiences that corrupting one means corrupting the other, too. This is why the CHROMA series by Yunchul Kim is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Reduced Inequalities and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

CHROMA V by Yunchul Kim. Video courtesy of Yunchul Kim’s website.

Aside from rotating in a spiral, Kim’s CHROMA pieces are laminated by a transparent polymer that changes colour when pressure is applied. This means that as the gears turn within the sculpture, its joints will light up in different colours. The way that the different CHROMA change colours and move has led many viewers to believe that they are alive, sentient living beings of their own right that are here to caution viewers today. 

Yunchul Kim's CHROMA series represents the profound connections between humanity, technology and the universe. These mesmerizing, undulating, spiral-like structures mirror natural patterns found in human DNA, mechanical gears and celestial formations that symbolize the interconnectedness of all three. By showcasing this delicate balance, CHROMA serves as a reminder that technological advancement should not come at the expense of human life or the environment, urging viewers to seek harmony between these realms.

Find out more about CHROMA and other pieces by Yunchul Kim on his website www.yunchulkim.net or Instagram @studio_locus_solus.