Jana Sim • Chicago, IL

Jana Sim
Konglish
Limited Edition Artist Book
$475

This book is about the differences between how language is observed and interpreted. My focus is on three languages which are Korean, English and Konglish (Korean + English), which is the term used for English words in a Korean context or words made from a combination of Korean and English as a sublanguage.

There are short, humorous stories in each language that I have personally experienced based on the differences of the languages and how they function in different cultures. How Korean appears to English speakers and how English appears to Korean speakers is different and sometimes led to funny mistakes and experiences causing misinterpretation or confusion.

When the book is closed, the word KONGLISH appears on the front, combined from the words Korean and English which can be seen in full once the book is opened. Two laser cut volvelles in the middle of the book which appears once all the pages are read. The wheels have mixture of both Korean and English alphabets.

The book will be very different depending on what language you are able to speak. If you only speak English, the Korean side will be seen as exotic shapes and patterns and vice versa. If you understand both languages, you will be able to compare the two sides, understand both sides of my stories.

Combine of two existing forms: the Drum Leaf and Dos-a-Dos, letterpress printed using polymer plates on Somerset white velvet, laser cut on Canford Royal Blue paper and Grafix Clear-Lay Red acetate. Enclosed in a hard cover three panel wrapper in purple cloth with string ties. 8.5 x 7.5 x 1” (Closed) 20 x 7.5 x 6” (Open). 2010.

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Jana Sim
Diametric
Limited Edition Artist Book
$250

Jana tells us, "My work is about the difficulties I face living as an International Student and the cultural differences between Korea and the United States." This Dos-a-Dos book features words expressing those differences embossed into the pages as a study in typography and structure.

Dos-a Dos book structure; Letterpress printed on 250gsm Somerset paper, hot stamped title, Lokta paper, book cloth, and cowhide leather. Eight pages. Edition of 7 copies. 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.75 inches. 2009.

To purchase this work please contact Laura at 23 Sandy Gallery.

Sold Out Titles by Jana Sim

Jana Sim
ESL
Limited Edition Artist Book
SOLD OUT!

When one does not understand a language; the language becomes a wonderful design. English is text but to me it is also beautiful forms of shapes and patterns. This book is bound in tunnel book style binding. It is 10 x 10 inches closed size and when it opens it makes a 10 inches deep space. It consists of 10 sheets of hand-marbled Arches heavy-weight paper with punched alphabet. The book is contained in a handmade drop spine box with foil stamped title in the spine. Edition of 6.

Jana Sim
Korean Traditional Door Patterns
Unique Artist Book
SOLD!

This book is dedicated to my father. The Images are from my father’s works of Korean traditional doors with the titles of each of the patterns written in Korean. The binding is a single-sheet Coptic binding, sewn across the spine. Its dimensions are 5 x 5 x 2 inches consisting of 11 pages of laser-cut, etched images and text on wood. Unique book.

Jana Sim
Korean Traditional Door
Unique Artist Book
SOLD!

Traditional Korean Door gives me the memories of my childhood and my past. It is a bridge linking me with my family, my friends and my reminiscence. This book is made in Japanese binding style with covers made of transparent plastic etched in the shape of a Korean door. Its dimensions are 13.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches and it is constructed of 15 pages of reverse-folded laser cut Korean paper. The book is contained in a handmade drop spine box with traditional Korean doorknob. Unique book.