Konglish
By Jana Sim
[Chicago, Illinois]: Jana Sim, 2010. Edition of 32.

8.5 x 7.5 x 1" (closed) 20 x 7.5 x 6" (opened); 28 pages. Various parts of the book are bound in gatefold and drumleaf formats. Most is letterpress printed using polymer plates on Somerset white velvet. Includes a volvelle of laser-cut Canford Royal Blue paper and Grafix Clear-Lay Red acetate. Laid in a box covered in eggplant-colored silk with gatefold lid. Button and thread closure.

Jana Sim: "This book is about the differences between how language is observed and interpreted. When one knows a language it becomes natural and you are able to understand the meaning. However, upon seeing a language that you do not know it can be seen as merely beautiful shapes and not as text that you can read. The language then becomes a texture of patterns or images.

"Konglish is an artist book about living with two languages. My focus is on three languages: 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 in the Korean American community. "One side [of the gatefold structure] focuses on Korean and the other side on English. 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 are different and sometimes led to funny mistakes and experiences causing misinterpretation or confusion.

"When the books 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 appear once [the "gates" have been opened]. The wheels have a 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."
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$475 (Last Copy)