Ye Rin Mok: Do You See What I See?

A composer by the name of John Cage once made a recording of nothing but silence lasting almost five minutes. While he went on to accomplish greater feats such as introducing the world to indeterminate techniques of musical composition and is credited with being one of the first to realize the potential of the turntable as a musical instrument, he will always be defined by his use of silence in music.

Looking at Ye Rin Mok's tranquil, solemn photographs, I cannot help but think of the late-great composer and his minimalist, unorthodox approach. Presenting the void as the focus of her work, an untrained eye would cast these photos aside as poorly framed shots. But her initiated use of negative space is captivating, evoking the stillness of epiphany. Clean hues and deliberate lines make for a striking view while the casually posed figure in the foreground diffuses the tension.

Trained in the arts at the University of California, Irvine, Mok has been occupied with a number of exhibitions, the latest being held at Giant Robot 2. In between lending a hand to other artists and producing her own works, we cornered the photographer and coerced her into answering a battery of inquiries. A master of succinctness, she commands it in the print below as well as in her photos.


Interview with Ye Rin Mok
Interviewed by Herden Daza

APA: How are you? What have you been up to these days?

Ye Rin Mok: The last 2 weeks have been crazy, helping out on a friend's first feature film. The main character in the film is a photographer and I had to provide about a dozen 30X40" prints of my photos for the set, also photographing "ex-girlfriend" character in black-and-white. I also started taking Russian and ballet classes at SMC for fun.

APA: Who and/or what inspires your work? Who/what are your influences?

Ye Rin Mok: Works of Mark Borthwick inspires me; his works are usually quiet, easy and effortless. He makes ordinary things avant garde. I also like the works of Guy Bourdin, his dark sense of humor and his use of striking colors in his photos. An ordinary object can inspire me. For example my mom's pink apron that she used when she was working at a sandwich shop. I would shoot, utilizing it, but in a different context.

APA: How much of your work draws from your academic background?

Ye Rin Mok: Not very much.

APA: Can you please describe your upbringing and how this has contributed to your work?

Ye Rin Mok: I was born in Seoul, Korea and moved with my family to Los Angeles when I was 12 yrs old. I think having been a foreigner and trying to adapt to new surroundings has shaped me into the person I am today and the work I make now.

APA: There is an eerie tranquility about your work that is very attractive. Do you regularly experience moments of this in your daily existence?

Ye Rin Mok: I think so, internally, everyday. I get excited when I can show that through my photos.

APA: You have a very interesting way of framing your subjects, manipulating the scale of the subject and the setting. What kind of statements are you hoping to make?

Ye Rin Mok: No statements particularly. It just happens just from the way I frame.

APA: Where do you find your models? Is there a difference in working with magazine models and the people you find at random?

Ye Rin Mok: Through friends or the internet. I got to work with a "professional" model for the first time recently. I think there are both advantages and disadvantages of working with real models or just random people.

APA: What methods do you employ to draw out or instill emotion for a particular shot?

Ye Rin Mok: I don't know if there are any particular methods. I just click when it feels right to me.

APA: Can you describe a typical day on-location at your latest shoot?

Ye Rin Mok: I get butterflies in my stomach. But I'm getting better at that. I try to get to the location at least 30 minutes early and look around for interesting spots. Then I go from there. Nothing too exciting.

APA: Could you please tell us how your perfect day would go?

Ye Rin Mok: Doing a perfect double pirouette, ollieing up a curb, eating a piece of chocolate cake, and making a photo I really like.

APA: If you had never become a professional photographer, what would do you think you would be doing for a living?

Ye Rin Mok: I would've liked to been a professional dancer.

APA: Name one thing about you that would surprise even your closest friends.

Ye Rin Mok: They already know.

APA: Fast five: 1. Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?

Ye Rin Mok: Chocolate.

APA: 2. Name the last song you listened to.

Ye Rin Mok: "I Know" by Fiona Apple.

APA: 3. Do you have a pet/pets?

Ye Rin Mok: I had a gold fish.

APA: 4. Complete this sentence: "If I had a hammer..."

Ye Rin Mok: I would put it back where it belonged.

APA: 5. How many times have you been arrested/detained?

Ye Rin Mok: Zero times.

www.yerinmok.com (http: //www.yerinmok.com)