Van Gogh Reborn!

274

The Preliminary Battle (4)

Lee In-ho smiled bitterly at Jang Mi-rae’s answer.

“I guess so.”

“It would be different if Kyu-seo had a decent work. But he’s just taking up space thanks to his family. How shameful is that?”

Jang Mi-rae sighed deeply.

“I feel sorry for the students every time something like this happens.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When I was an undergraduate, it was the same. They say it’s hard to succeed without connections among the kids. It’s the same everywhere in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem, right?”

“True.”

“Even public projects are the same. Even if you want to participate as a simple worker, it’s hard if you don’t look good to the famous artists.”

Jang Mi-rae worried about the corruption of the art world that was connected by academic and personal ties.

Public projects with large budgets could only go to the prestigious artists.

The unknown painters had no choice but to become subservient to them, hoping to leave even a small record of their work.

“It’s a bit better now. At least there are things like SNS and YouTube to appeal and promote yourself. There are also some friends who are making their way through that.”

“Yes.”

“But it’s not easy. That’s why they all give up before they start, or lose their momentum after working hard. It’s because of this kind of thing.”

Jang Mi-rae thought that the deeds of Choi Young-soo, the chairman of the association, Choi Kyu-seo, and Kim Soo-hyuk, the married couple, had a negative impact on the art world.

The deprivation of opportunity led to the loss of will, and eventually took away the hope from those who wanted to work as painters.

Jang Mi-rae, who taught students at the university, heard such complaints frequently.

“So, I hope this will be a small hope for them.”

Jang Mi-rae smiled slightly.

Choi Kyu-seo snickered when he heard the news of Jang Mi-rae’s participation in the Venice Biennale.

He found it amusing that she had to cling to someone else’s place because she couldn’t get a regular exhibition hall.

“Mi-rae senior is also participating in an international exhibition, I see.”

Choi Kyu-seo, Jang Mi-rae’s junior in college and currently working as Choi Kyu-seo’s secretary, opened his mouth.

“I guess so. The professor must have reached out to her. I don’t know why he’s so fond of her.”

“He was like that when you were an undergraduate too.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Go Soo-yeol had always favored Jang Mi-rae, who had no taste or dignity to speak of.

Choi Kyu-seo couldn’t understand why he liked someone who didn’t produce the works that the professors wanted, and only talked back to them.

Choi Kyu-seo, who had quickly figured out what the professors wanted and never missed the top of his class throughout his college life, felt like he had been robbed of the love he deserved. f𝐫𝗲eweb𝗻o𝐯el.𝚌o𝗺

Even though he had won the grand prize at the national exhibition when he was a college student.

But that was 10 years ago.

Time passed and Go Soo-yeol retired from his dean position, and Choi Kyu-seo’s era was gradually approaching.

There was no competition or exhibition in Korea that Choi Kyu-seo’s breath didn’t reach.

The seniors and elders of the art world, who had treated him lightly when he was a student, now only smiled stupidly in front of Choi Kyu-seo.

“What if she wins an award thanks to the professor?”

Choi Kyu-seo sneered at Baek Seol-ki’s concern.

“You’re good at everything, but you’re short-sighted. There are ten people in Korea. And another ten in France. And Henri Matisse is in there too. Do you think it will work out? They’re just gathering mediocre people to sell emotions.”

“Ah… You’re right. Heh.”

Baek Seol-ki smiled awkwardly, feeling scolded.

Choi Kyu-seo lifted one corner of his mouth as he looked at the announcement for the applicants for the France-Korea Pavilion.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Artists with strong egos, whether they were ten or a hundred, couldn’t agree on anything.

When they tried to gather the opinions of many, they tended to go with the ordinary ones.

He thought it was much more original to work alone.

“Put it away.”

“Yes, sir.”

Choi Kyu-seo threw the announcement for the applicants for the France-Korea Pavilion.

Baek Seol-ki picked it up, bowed, and left the office.

“Sigh.”

He let out a sigh involuntarily.

He had been doing all kinds of unpleasant things for the past few years, thinking that he would get some opportunity if he stayed by Choi Kyu-seo’s side.

But he was getting tired.

At first, Choi Kyu-seo promised to give him an exhibition if he worked hard, but now he treated him like a slave.

Baek Seol-ki looked at the announcement.

[Announcement for Applicants for the Venice Biennale]

Hello. I am Bang Tae-ho, the co-commissioner of the France-Korea Pavilion at the Venice Biennale International Exhibition.

We are looking for artists to fill the France-Korea Pavilion with Go Su-yeol, Ko Hun, and Jang Mi-rae.

The France-Korea Pavilion is a new exhibition hall that will be established at the 2030 Venice Biennale, where we aim to conduct a discourse on the coexisting values of fusion and independence through the artists of both Korea and France.

We look forward to your participation.

?Recruitment field

Painting 3, Installation 3, Sculpture 1.

?Recruitment summary

Content: Submission of exhibits for the France-Korea Pavilion at the 2030 Venice Biennale.

Application form: Portfolio including photos and descriptions of works.

Application details: Creative support fund of 5 million won per person, support for Venice accommodation and round-trip airfare.

Qualifications: Korean nationals under 35 years old who are artists, no disqualification for overseas travel.

?Procedure and application submission

Document screening (10.3)–Interview (10.15)–Acceptance notification (10.22)

Application period: From September 19, 2029 (Wed) to October 3, 2029 (Wed).

Application method: E-mail application [Download form]

※Please send the title in the format of Venice Biennale_Participation Application_Name. Please note that applications that do not conform to the detailed format will not be accepted.

※The collected application documents will be destroyed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act.

The outrageous creative support fund seemed to allow each artist to have their own unique work, rather than a collaborative activity.

Besides, there was no special qualification required except for age.

Choi Kyu-seo sneered that it was a trick to gather sympathy, but to Baek Seol-gi, this was also a precious opportunity.

“…”

Baek Seol-gi shook her head as she wondered if she should apply for a moment.

She didn’t know what kind of retaliation she would face from Choi Kyu-seo if she passed and participated in the Venice Biennale.

She couldn’t guarantee her domestic activities if she offended Choi Young-soo, the president of the Korean Art Association, Choi Kyu-seo, and Kim Su-hyuk.

‘What the hell.’

Baek Seol-gi crumpled up the recruitment announcement poster and threw it in the trash can.

Meanwhile.

When the announcement of the recruitment of hopeful participants for the France-Korea Pavilion at the Venice Biennale came out, the Korean artists were shocked.

It was not an announcement to select a national pavilion manager, nor a content to find a contract artist.

The community was turned upside down by the news that they were looking for a person who would participate in the Venice Biennale as an artist.

└I can’t believe this is happening.

└Is the qualification requirement real? Is anyone under 35 eligible?

└"Application" is possible.

└Where is that???? You don’t need any awards?

└They’re probably doing that to get attention. It’s obvious that they’ll pick someone who has won some awards.

└Don’t do it. Don’t ever do it.

└I’m the only one who’s going to do it.

└This is crazy. No, what’s with the creative support fund of 5 million won??????

└There will be a lot of hopefuls because of that.

└Is 5 million won important right now? It’s a place where you can work with Go Su-yeol, Jang Mi-rae, Henri, and Hoon.

└For real??

└You idiots, this is not somewhere else, this is the Venice Biennale. The most prestigious biennale in the world. Is 5 million won important?

└But what is the Korean pavilion and what is this?

└It says in the summary. It’s a cooperation pavilion between Korea and France.

└Honestly, this won’t work out well. You’ll only be playing a supporting role for Go Su-yeol, Jang Mi-rae, and Ko Hun, so why bother?

└One work per person.

└What does that matter? They’ll get all the attention anyway.

└It’s amazing just to have your work hanging in the Venice Biennale. You’re a blockhead.

└But what about the Korean pavilion then?

└What do you mean what about it. It’s just the same.

└No. There’s only one Golden Lion Award for the national pavilion. If Go Su-yeol, Ko Hun, and Jang Mi-rae go over there, won’t the Korean pavilion not get the award?

└??????I would have said what I wanted to say if I had a lot of money.

└For real, I can’t say anything because I’m afraid of being sued, but would anyone who knows a little bit about art expect anything from the Korean pavilion?

└What? Why are you like that?

As if Korea was in chaos with the recruitment of the Outcasts, France was no different.

The community sites and forums were full of stories about the Outcasts, and Blanche had applied, of course.

“Why didn’t you show up for the first art therapy class?”

“Henri Marso was teaching.”

“Do you hate him that much?”

He doesn’t answer.

I have no idea why he hates me so much. He never answers when I ask him.

“I’m jealous.”

Vida Lavani sighed softly as she looked at the recruitment poster.

“Why don’t you apply? You might have a chance.”

“Me?”

She nodded.

“What can I do? No way. I can’t draw well.”

“So what? Anyone under 35 can apply.”

Vida Lavani had her shortcomings. She had a warm sensibility, but she needed more experience.

“It won’t work anyway.”

“Nothing will change if you think like that.”

Blanche stepped in.

“If you say it won’t work, it won’t. The word ‘miracle’ was created after it actually happened.”

“…I don’t even have a portfolio.”

“You have a week, so you can start preparing now.”

Blanche put her hand on Vida Lavani’s sketchbook and said.

“Uh, okay.”

The more I challenge myself, the more scared I get.

Is this the right path for me?

Am I really doing well?

Even if I’m not good, am I better than yesterday?

I want to give up every time because nothing is certain.

I know that too well because I’ve been there.

The fear and fatigue that comes from feeling helpless cannot be overcome by any talent or confidence.

It’s impossible to resist when it swallows your ego and shakes your reason.

The only way to beat that fear is with a brush and paint.

You have to fill the blank canvas with your eyes wide open to gradually shake it off.1)

Blanche knew that well.

She believed that something good would happen if Vida Lavani didn’t hesitate to challenge herself whenever she had a chance, even though it would be hard for her to get selected.

“But what does ‘bulhandang’ mean?”

Blanche asked.

“It’s an old term for France that China and Korea used. So ‘bul’ for France, ‘han’ for Korea, and ‘dang’ for party.”

She showed her the dictionary and explained it one by one. Blanche nodded.

“I asked because the dictionary said it was a group of people who roamed around and robbed people of their wealth.”

That’s what I’m going to do.

At least in Korea, I’m going to take away their money and power from the people who have seized the authority.

Grandfather, Bang Tae-ho, Kim Ji-woo, and Jang Mi-rae are working hard to prepare, and I will do what I can.

To comfort those who are disappointed with reality.

And to give them courage to stand up again.

1)“When you face a blank canvas that stares at you like a fool, you have to draw something on it. You don’t know how powerless a blank canvas can make you feel.”

“A blank canvas seems to say ‘you can’t do anything’. Painters who are bewitched by the idiotic magic of the canvas end up becoming fools.”

“Many painters feel fear when they stand in front of a blank canvas. On the other hand, the blank canvas is afraid of the passionate and serious painters who break its magic.”

-A letter from Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theodore-