HIGHLIGHT｜CURATOR’S PICK

Gimhongsok casts a limp plastic bag into a heavy iron bear, inviting every passerby to poke, hug, or lean against it. The moment your hand makes contact, the illusion breaks—softness was never real, only weight was. Much like our relationship with consumer culture: it looks light, but it never really is.

Artwork Description｜

South Korean artist Gimhongsok believes objects have no fixed rules—anyone can give them new meaning.
At first glance, Bearlike construction looks like a soft stack of yellow plastic bags shaped like a bear. In reality, it is a solid cast iron sculpture weighing hundreds of kilograms. Gimhongsok is known for crafting soft textures from hard materials, using contrast to challenge our perception.
Though it resembles garbage bags, this bear has become a beloved landmark at NOKE. Set inside a shopping mall—a symbol of consumer culture—it brings a smile to passersby while prompting us to rethink consumerism and the environment.