KIM Whanki’s “Cross Composition”
[7-VI-69 #65]

“Cross composition,” Kim’s main focus from 1968 to 1969, refers to the category of his works in which the center of the picture-plane is divided into a cross shape. The artist himself named them “Cross Compositions.” The picture-planes of the “Cross Compositions” are generally divided into four sections by horizontal and vertical lines. Large and small rounds areas expand rhythmically from the center of the painting, where the two lines cross.
During this period, Kim was interested in the method of using oil paints diluted with large amounts of turpentine, so that the paint would run naturally on the fabric, resembling the effects of ink on Korean paper. This method of expression was most boldly carried out in the “Cross Composition” series. This series, which resembles Korean traditional ink-wash painting with its boldly drawn color lines, paint spreading out from the lines, and picture composition clearly divided by color fields and empty spaces, played an important role in forming the particular atmosphere of natural spreading and soaking that is evident in the artist’s “all-over dot paintings” of the 1970s.

Mano An had joined forces to digitally express this Whanki’s artwork, using LG OLED as their canvas.

"I was glad to receive LG’s full technological and creative support." -Mano An-