Lee Sang Yong’s <Flying Whale> is a sculptural and kinetic art piece that symbolically expresses the journey of life and the myriad experiences encountered along the way, through the imagery of a whale. This work, infused with the artist’s delicate expression and philosophical insight, seeks not only to offer visual beauty but also to explore the complexity and splendor of life. By using the whale as an objective correlative, the artist metaphorically illustrates how dynamic and diverse our lives are, and the many challenges and adventures we face throughout the journey. It’s not just about movement, but about depicting the various situations we encounter in life and the ways we navigate through them.
<Flying Whale> is a kinetic artwork inspired by the black whale (Balaenoptera). The artist meticulously carves the whale’s body from wood and crafts wings (fins) that match the body’s weight. Once the finished whale is perfectly balanced on a three-dimensional column, it moves gracefully in all directions without any external power, as if dancing. The whale’s movements vary depending on air flow and humidity; it moves slowly and heavily when the humidity is high, like in summer, and lightly and quickly when the humidity is low, like in winter. Its movements can be elegant or precarious, depending on external conditions, much like the unpredictability and complexity of life itself.