RE-STORY-ATION: ART + ARCHITECTURE

Sook Jin Jo & John di Domenico

Curated by Soojung Hyun

May 3 - May 25, 2024

ARTEGO Gallery: 32-88 48th Queens NY 11103 

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 - 6 pm

Opening Reception: Friday, May 3, 6-8 PM

ARTEGO Gallery is proud to present “RE-STORY-ATION: ART + ARCHITECTURE,” an innovative exhibition that navigates the intertwining of architecture and art through the works of two distinguished artists/architects, Sook Jin Jo and John di Domenico. The exhibition spreads drawings, photographs, paintings, and video documentaries, including three- and four-dimensional expressions. By introducing the dynamic interplay between their works, the exhibition seeks to push the boundaries of each artist's practice while exploring the profound meaning of art and its intrinsic connection to humanity.  

The term of 'Re-story-ation' centers around the idea of envisioning and constructing the narratives of our lives. Enriching narratives through recontextualization can broaden human understanding and empathy. The exhibition "Re-story-ation" employs the convergence of 'architecture and art' as a framework for this storytelling endeavor. At its core, "RE-STORY-ATION: ART + ARCHITECTURE " celebrates the unique perspectives and creative insights of Sook Jin Jo and John di Domenico. di Domenico's distinctive paintings and drawings, showcased alongside his impressive architectural projects such as Fernow Hall at Cornell University, the Silver Line Washington DC Metro, Stillwell Avenue Station at Coney Island, and subway stations in Astoria, New York, exemplify his seamless integration of art and architecture. Meanwhile, Jo's thought-provoking art chapel projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador, along with her captivating artworks and documentaries, are presented here. 

With over four decades of experience in both fields, John di Domenico perceives creating architecture and painting as intricately intertwined. His paintings, starting as doodles, evolve into colorful compositions, blurring the line between representation and abstraction. The process of making paintings serves as the cornerstone of his storytelling, reflecting his ideas about space and its inhabitants. Through his artwork, John di Domenico imbues his architectural designs with empathy and profound insight into the human experience.

Sook Jin Jo shares an intimate relationship with both architecture and installation art. Her installations, including her captivating chair pieces, capture the essence of human presence within intimate and contemplative environments. Furthermore, her projects to construct spaces for prayer and contemplation incorporate the cultural backgrounds of local communities, blurring the boundaries between architecture and art. For Sook Jin Jo, every aspect of her creative process, from sketches to media presentations of architectural projects, exists within the realm of art.

Sook Jin Jo is an accomplished multidisciplinary artist with over four decades of experience. Her expansive work encompasses drawings, installations, performances, and architectural endeavors. Jo's artistic prowess has been showcased on the global stage through over forty solo exhibitions, including prestigious venues such as Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minnesota, the Seoul Museum of Art for "SeMA GOLD 2014: Nobody" in Seoul, Korea, and the Huntington Museum of Art for the "Walter Gropius Master Artist Series" in Huntington, West Virginia. Additionally, she has participated in numerous group exhibitions, earning recognition through esteemed awards, fellowships, and commissions. Her works can be found in prominent public collections worldwide, including the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Korea, the LA Metro Detention Center in Los Angeles, California, and the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse in Miami, Florida. (https://www.sookjinjo.com/bio05.htm)

John di Domenico is an artist and architect known for exploring the interplay between visual and spatial design. di Domenico graduated from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.  He was a Fulbright Scholar in Italy. He serves on the Boards of the New York Transit Museum and Coney Island, USA. In 2013, he was awarded the Sydney L. Strauss Award from the New York Society of Architects for outstanding achievement for the benefit of the architectural profession. di Domenico's architectural work focuses on innovation and sustainability, spanning urban infrastructure to community spaces. His contribution to establishing the High Line in 1984 and collaboration with Vito Acconci in 2003 for the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium Station are notable examples of his research on urban infrastructure. (https://www.didomenico.nyc/about)