2010 Happy World

Ik-Joong Kang (b. 1960) is a globally renowned artist representing Korea on both domestic and international stages. He first gained recognition in 1994 through the exhibition “Multiple Dialogue” at Whitney Museum of New York, which he co-hosted with Nam June Paik. In 1997, Kang represented Korea at the Venice Biennale, where he was awarded a special prize.

2010 Happy World is an installation composed of 8,060 small canvases and objects, harmoniously arranged and displayed in the lobby of the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building. Originally created with 7,500 canvases in 2000 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Taekwang Group, the piece was later expanded in 2010 with new works by the artist, transforming it into a larger and richer narrative.

Each canvas in the work measures just 3×3 inches. This unique format originated from Kang’s early years in New York when he had to balance part-time labor with his art practice, leaving him only short intervals to work. The meanings embedded in each tiny canvas blend together, much like a “bibimbap” of stories, collectively forming a vivid and cohesive depiction of happy world.