Links

Jean Shin’s site-specific installation of chain—varying from industrial to artisanal—explores the inherent contradictions of its historical and contemporary use. At one scale the chain is a precious object, a delicate and refined accessory of fashion. Change the material and the scale, and the joined links become heavy and take on the attributes of confinement, burden, and restraint. The project aims to engage these conflicts by incorporating both the decorative and the ominous qualities of the material. A vast, diverse assortment of metal chains have been collected and sourced from the Bethel community and the public, connecting a multitude of personal experiences with collective concerns. The chains will be suspended in space using the four pillars of the Olson Gallery

Jean Shin is nationally recognized for her monumental installations that transform everyday objects into elegant expressions of identity and community. For each project, she amasses vast collections of a particular object—prescription pill bottles, sports trophies, sweaters—which are often sourced through donations from individuals in a participating community. These intimate objects then become the materials for her conceptually rich sculptures, videos and site-specific installations. Distinguished by her meticulous, labor-intensive process, and her engagement of community, Shin’s arresting installations reflect individuals’ personal lives as well as collective issues that we face as a society.