JAGAE: Jagae, also known as mother-of-pearl, is a pure Korean word that refers to the shell of clams, abalones, and mollusks.

In a world of ever-changing trends and modernity, certain things hold a significance that transcends their practicality. For me, that special item is a beautiful, useless box I took from my grandfather's room when I was just six years old. The black box, adorned with glowing rainbow curves, looked enchanting as it displayed different shades of color when I moved it around under various lights. It transported me to the beach, making me feel like I was discovering clam shells of different colors and shapes.

Despite sitting empty and covered in a layer of dust for the past fifteen years, I cannot bring myself to throw it away.

This box represents the reality of tradition, crafted from a material known as Jaegae. This material has now become a beautiful relic of the past. It has lost its original purpose and is no longer in use. The debate between tradition and modernity has been an interesting issue for me. And my summer internship helped me to seriously think about how we can create harmony between the past and present so that we can preserve a tradition that is out of use.

Over the past two months, I have been actively engaged in a project called the "Mother of Pearl (Jagae) Project". The project's mission is to preserve traditional material while infusing it with modern designs, ultimately making it relevant on a global scale. Jagae, derived from the shell of clams, undergoes a long and intricate production process, which in the past made it a material of great value accessible only to the royals in the past.

Since the 16th century, Jagae has been known for its trickiness, with only trained masters being able to craft it. Jagae is cut into a specific shape so that it can be attached onto the wooden frames that are already coated with lacquer. The surface is repeatedly coated with lacquer until it is firmly secured. Even for the project I participated in, the process of applying Jagae to the table itself took at least two weeks for one table. The whole process of designing the tables, creating wooden frames, putting Jagae onto the frame, and shipping took more than six months.

However, the pride associated with Jagae has dwindled in the 21st century. Once cherished for its warm connection to grandparents and traditional heritage, Jagae now feels out of place in modern interior designs. The Jagae closets and tables are tossed aside like forgotten relics. Furthermore, the market is flooded with cheap imitations of Jagae, further diminishing its authenticity. Thus, our primary objective was to elevate awareness surrounding Jagae and restore its rightful place of pride.

Collaborating with six modern designers from Italy and Korea, our gallery set out to interpret and design Jagae tables in their unique styles. These designs were eventually exhibited at the prestigious Trinalle Museum in Milano, Italy, drawing visitors from all walks of life to witness the beauty and creativity inherent in these tables.

Among the six pieces, my favorite piece is a rounded oval-shaped table with a flower design made of Jagae. It has a low height but works perfectly as a tea table, and I can imagine it fitting seamlessly into various modern designs, alongside black and silver folding chairs. The Jagae flowers bloom with colors that create a rainbow reflection on the floor from the sunlight. I was always excited at the thought of placing this piece in different locations, such as the lobby of a 5-star hotel, traditional Korean houses, a minimalistic black and white apartment living room, or even in the garden. I truly enjoyed participating in this project to brainstorm on how this outdated material can be beautifully presented in so many locations in various formats in the modern world.

Before doing this project, I had never thought of why Jagae products like the box from my grandfather were devalued in society. But I guess, it was too easy to obtain in the present times, which diminished the legacy from the past. The abundance of Jagae led to a decline in its perceived worth. Currently, Korea preserves tradition as it is by showcasing it in museums and explaining its value through textbook photographs. However, if we let this situation persist, Jagae would fade away as a fame of the past.

Of course, the origin should be preserved, but we need a revolutionary way of keeping the tradition alive. For this, we have to preserve tradition through culture and revive it with new life. Our gallery has chosen the latter, planning a follow-up project that designs and sells new, practical products catered to the needs of young people. Jagae is no longer an old, traditional, and outdated material. Jagae is a fancy, modern, and trendy material.

The Mother of Pearl (Jagae) Project is not just about preserving the original; it's about honoring our heritage, finding new ways to appreciate the past, and integrating it into the fabric of our contemporary lives. Through art, we aim to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. By combining the beauty of tradition with the ingenuity of modern design, we strive to keep the flame of Jagae burning brightly for generations to come.

The journey of the Mother of Pearl (Jagae) Project has been a testament to the power of art in preserving tradition and breathing new life into the past. With passion and creativity, we seek to forge a path where tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously, bridging the gap between what was and what is yet to be. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century, let us remember that the legacy of our ancestors is a treasure worth cherishing, and through art, we can keep it alive for a brighter future.