Title: Magic
Artist: KangHee Kim
Designer: Jinkui Zhou
Editor: Xiaopeng Yuan
Publication date and place: September 2016 / Shanghai, China
Edition: 400 copies
Format, binding: Hardcover / thread bound
Size: 15.5 x 21.4 cm
Number of pages and images: 60 pages / 45 images
Type of printing and paper: offset / 190g for interior page
Retail price: $ 33
Book Description: Shanghai-based independent publisher “Same Paper” has launched Korean photographer KangHee Kim’s first photography book “Magic” this Autumn, presents her latest project “Street Errands” from 2016. Once when KangHee was running errands on the street of New York, she somewhat hoped for exciting things to happen. Though things did not go as she wished, she realised that, instead of waiting for miracles, she could instead create the magical moments in her imagination. She started collaging scenes from her surroundings in Photoshop, creating surreal images that could impossibly happen.
In order to provoke the audience’s desire, Photoshop is widely used in commercial photography to refine the details and make the images look flawless. However, KangHee does not intend to cover the flaws in her photographs. Instead, she aims to achieve the perfection in her eyes by rediscovering the possibility of merging two images, finding their spark with her magic; she leaves traces of imperfection untouched intentionally in the process. KangHee takes a large number of photographs in her daily life. Making collages with different photographs is her newfound interest. Most of her images are taken in New York. Since she is unable to travel abroad due to the restriction of her VISA status, modifying or even demolishing the scenes in the original photographs is her approach to fulfil the desire for freedom.
Book Soundtrack:
- Title: Magic