Korean artist Chul Hyun Ahn uses mirrors and light to create geometric shapes that repeat infinitely into the distance. Ahn’s repetitions of circles, squares, and lines resonate with Zen Buddhist ink painting, which aims to transmit complex teachings through minimalist brushstrokes and basic shapes. In this informal gallery talk, Ahn will discuss the techniques and concepts behind his mesmerizing works which have fascinated many visitors to the UMMA exhibition Copies and Invention in East Asia. The exhibition challenges our understanding of originality, and presents copying as an act of imaginative interpretation, through works of art spanning ancient to contemporary times.

Lead support is provided by the University of Michigan Office of the Provost, Michigan Medicine, Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, Center for Japanese Studies, Nam Center for Korean Studies, School of Information, and College of Engineering. Additional generous support is provided by the University of Michigan Fabrication Studio at the Duderstadt Center, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, and SeeMeCNC 3D Printers.