In this CV series, I aim to explore the various contents that may be included in a CV I will submit for different future career paths. The first and most important element of a CV is the artist statement. Defining what kind of artist I am is crucial information for someone who knows nothing about me.

I think writing an artist statement is similar to a process of filtering. First, I define what kind of art I make within the broader field of art. There are many forms of art, such as architecture, fine art, or music. In my case, I could use the term “sound artist.” However, my work takes various forms, including installations, sound pieces, and performances, so it is difficult to define it with a single category. What unifies all of these, though, is sound.

But is it necessary to define myself through a broad category? When I previously analyzed artists’ websites, I noticed that many artists do not strictly define themselves by a category but instead focus on their interests or working methods. So what are the key concepts I consistently use in my work? I believe they are system, metaphor, and logic. I am particularly interested in how logically constructed systems and what they metaphorically represent establish relationships with the audience.

Based on this, I could formulate the following statement:

Minsoo Chang works primarily with sound-based installations and performances. His practice explores everyday situations and social structures through metaphorical and system-based approaches. These systems are constructed within a logic defined by the artist. As such, the system not only enables the work to function but also embodies and conveys the meaning of the metaphorical situation itself.

I think this statement expresses my work well without confining it too rigidly. It might also be effective to add how I hope audiences engage with my work. For example: “Although his works are constructed within a framework of meaning defined by the artist, their metaphorical nature resists a single fixed interpretation. Viewers are therefore invited to interpret the work through their own socio-cultural contexts, generating personal meanings.”

Combining these ideas, the statement can be summarized as follows:

Minsoo Chang works primarily with sound-based installations and performances. His practice explores everyday situations and social structures through metaphorical and system-based approaches. These systems are constructed within a logic defined by the artist. As such, the system not only enables the work to function but also embodies and conveys the meaning of the metaphorical situation itself. While his works are structured within a framework of meaning, their metaphorical nature resists singular interpretation. Audiences are invited to engage with the work through their own socio-cultural contexts, generating personal meanings.

I will leave the statement at this stage for now and revisit it later to refine, revise, or expand it as needed.