As an immigrant and somebody who has moved a bunch of times, I appreciate discussions and artistic explorations of the concept of 'home'. I recently stopped by "Almost Home" - an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, and enjoyed installations created by Do Ho Suh. Why?
Do Ho Suh explores 'home' through "fabric architecture". The exhibition hall is filled with life-sized walkable homes that Do Ho Suh has lived in Asia, United States, and Europe. These structures are made of delicate fabrics. I walked through the installations and was surprised by how welcoming and 'home' they felt. I was also aware of the delicacy of the structures, thus meditating of the fragility of 'home' no matter what it may mean to us. Take a look below.
Do Ho Suh explores 'home' through "fabric architecture". The exhibition hall is filled with life-sized walkable homes that Do Ho Suh has lived in Asia, United States, and Europe. These structures are made of delicate fabrics. I walked through the installations and was surprised by how welcoming and 'home' they felt. I was also aware of the delicacy of the structures, thus meditating of the fragility of 'home' no matter what it may mean to us. Take a look below.
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Attention to detail in this project is fascinating. Do Ho Suh sews all of the pieces and they are incredibly real-looking. As you walk through the homes, you notice details typical of a European house (such as the door handle below) or those of a South Korean home. This show also explores color, moods, and feelings.
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So, home ... Stop by this art exhibition and see how you react to the installation and what home may mean to you specifically. I was definitely transported to my hometown of Prague, to places I have traveled, to my home in the United States, and was able to recall a variety of life experiences in these 'homes' that have shaped who I am today.