Fascinated by our high-tech society's effects on the human mind, Kim Ha-Young (b. 1983, Seoul) explores how people become ‘characterless characters’ via a series of vibrant acrylic paintings. Reflecting on how the controlling, cold, rational, and 'intelligent' logic onset by advanced technology makes people lose the senses of humanity and individuality, she suggests that such modern technology also bares us, stripping us to become more susceptible to vulnerable and fragile feelings.

Primarily painting on polyester canvas and drafting films, she often incorporates her paintings into animation and installation, exploring the issues and achievements around modern technology and science. Oftentimes influenced by the images she comes across in children’s books, her dynamic cartoon-like paintings are characterized by their animated nature and bright vibrant color scheme. Dancing on the boundary between harmless cartoons and absurd surrealism, her subjects represent an irrational juxtaposition of subjects and objects that prompt reinterpretation of the contemporary psyche.

Rather than simply accepting the often one-sided perspective of advanced technology, Kim attempts to juggle the multiple facets that technology inflicts by allowing different dimensions to coexist in her works - such as utilizing augmented reality. Kim’s use of augmented reality presents the original physical context of her work as multidimensional by featuring enhanced visual elements, extending this concept of augmented vision to add a literal and figurative connection to her exploration of media and technology.

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