POSCO 1% Foundation (Chairman Jeong-Woo Choi) launched a new project called “CollaboArtion = Collaboration+Art”. It is expected to attract the public’s attention for disability artists.

POSCO 1% Foundation invited ten teams of disability artists with recommendations from the Korea Disabled Artist Association. Each team has produced two video contents- one collaboration video and one storytelling video to show their talents. A professional MCN (Multi-Channel Network) company “TreasureHunter” and 14 influencers in Korea have worked together through the entire process. These contents are to be released on YouTube channels of both POSCO and the influencers.

The project under the theme of “CollaboArtion = Collaboration+Art,” introduces the following ten teams of talented disability artists: Boo-Yeol Han (western-style painter, developmental disorder), Hun Lee (one-handed pianist, brain lesion disorder), Hwan Park (western-style painter, visual impairment), Sung-Jin Cho (one-handed magician, brain lesion disorder), Yong-Ho Heo (children’s book author, general paralysis), Moon-Jung Choi & Soo-Min Chae (wheelchair dancers, physical disability), A-Ra Ko (ballerina, auditory disorder), Yae-Na Choi (Pansori, visual impairment), Ji-Yeon Kim (rapper, auditory disorder), and Min-Ju Kim (web novel author, brain lesion disorder). To help in the popularization of these artists, 14 YouTube stars (Big Marvel, Sanago, and ASMR Suna) and singers (Min-Kyung Kang and Eric Nam) appear on the collaboration videos. In addition to the collaboration video, POSCO 1% Foundation is to deliver vivid storytelling videos of the disabled artists who have overcome obstacles and pursued their artistic values.

▲ Artist Boo-Yeol Han working on his drawing (Captured from YouTube video)

The first collaboration video featuring Boo-Yeol Han, the first Korean autistic live drawing artist, designer Hyeong-Cheol Jang, and YouTube star Korea Grandma Mak-Rye Park was posted on June 25. And Singer Eric Nam, a presenter in the storytelling video, said, “Through this project, I was able to know the works and stories of the many disability artists working in various fields. I became to truly respect the artists who focused on their works despite the challenges. I hope more people will pay more attention to such artists.”

The next video of Hun Lee, a left-hand pianist and singer Min-Kyung Kang will be posted in July. Pianist Hun Lee, who participated as the artist, said, “This project has motivated me as a disability artist and presented me with pride. I hope many other disability artists can be known to the public through POSCO 1% Foundation.”

Established in 2013, POSCO 1% Foundation has been implementing various support activities that focalize on supporting the future generation, the disabled, and multicultural families under the slogan, “1% Sharing for a Better World.”

※ Storytelling video of artist Boo-Yeol Han

▲ Boo-Yeol Han and designer Hyeong-Cheol Jang working in collaboration

Marco Rosignoli – Bridge Building Expert

Marco Rosignoli has more than 20 years of experience in bridge construction and design. (Source: San Francisco Public Press)

Marco Rosignoli is an expert in bridge design, construction, forensic engineering, consulting and education, with over 37 years of experience in 21 countries. Through a two-part series, Rosignoli gave readers an in-depth look into emerging megacities and their infrastructure needs. According to Rosignoli, efficient transportation is the key to an economically competitive city, and megacities will call for mega-sized bridges made of high-quality steel. Read on to find out more.

Part one: Ask an Expert: Building Bridges for Megacities

Part two: Ask an Expert: Building Bridges for Megacities – Part 2

Naim Josefi – Fashion Designer

Naim Josefi is an innovative designer who mixes fashion and technology. (Source: Naim Josefi)

Naim Josefi runs a fashion company based in Stockholm, Sweden, and is widely known for winning Project Runway Sweden back in 2012. Josefi is a fashion designer who is blurring the boundaries between science and fashion as his projects include steel dresses, 3D printed shoes and laser-printed jeans. Find out why the designer chooses to work with steel and incorporate new technologies into his art.

Read on: Ask an Expert: Fashion Forward with Steel

Professor Bill Arnold – Oil Industry Expert

Bill Arnold is a professor in the practice of energy management at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. Previously, Professor Arnold was Royal Dutch Shell’s Washington director of international government relations and senior counsel for the Middle East, Latin America and North Africa for 16 years.

Bill Arnold is an Energy Management Professor at Rice University. (Source: Society of Petroleum Engineers)

Professor Arnold gave readers an insider’s analysis of the rapidly-changing oil industry marked by unpredictable oil prices. He says, in the midst of change, there are newly-developing business opportunities and alternative sources of fuel such as natural gas that will subsequently create more demand for high-quality steel.   

Find out more: Ask an Expert: The Role of Steel in a Changing Oil Industry

Park Jong-jae – Automotive Columnist

Park Jong-jae is a motorsports columnist and the former editor-in-chief at F1 Racing Korea. Back in May, Park contributed a two-part series on POSCO GIGA STEEL. In the first part, Park reinforced the need for lightweight materials in the auto industry and highlighted some of the most successful cases of POSCO GIGA STEEL application from POSCO’s partners including GM Korea and Ssangyong Motors.

2016 Chevy Cruze Body Structure with POSCO GIGA STEEL. (Source: World Auto Steel)

Read more: Ask an Expert: POSCO GIGA STEEL Opens Door to the Future of the Auto Industry

In part two, he took readers through the 6 different types of POSCO GIGA STEEL and how they can benefit different parts of a vehicle.

There are 6 types of POSCO GIGA STEEL. (Source: Astro Awani)

Find more information: Ask an Expert: POSCO GIGA STEEL Goes Beyond the Limits of Traditional Lightweight Materials

Gil Bruvel – Steel Artist

Gil Bruvel is a veteran artist who creates sculptures using stainless steel. (Source: Gil Bruvel)

Gil Bruvel is an artist who works with stainless steel to create beautifully crafted sculptures of the human form. For the past 40 years, Bruvel has dedicated himself to painting, drawing and sculpting. He worked on a series of stainless steel sculpture for his Flow Series that depict aspects of nature mixed with the human body. Check out his creations and learn more about why Bruvel chooses to work artistically with steel.

Take a look: Ask an Expert: Capturing the Fluidity of Life in Ribbons of Steel – An Interview with Gil Bruvel

POSCO’s Masters of Korea

Every year, POSCO names its Masters of Korea. These masters are employees who have become experts in their respective fields through years of hard work and dedication. All 3 Masters of 2017 contributed to POSCO by developing new technologies, coming up with groundbreaking ideas and finding solutions to make POSCO safer, more efficient and highly competitive in the global steel industry. Find out who they are and their journey to becoming the POSCO Masters of Korea.

Master Nam Tae-Gyu has 40 years of experience working for POSCO.

Master Nam Tae-Gyu: POSCO Masters: 40 Years in the Making

Suh Gwang-Il examines machinery at a POSCO steel mill with colleagues.

Master Suh Gwang-Il: POSCO Masters: A Cold Rolling Expert

Master Kim Yong-Hoon played a key role in automating POSCO’s production systems.

Master Kim Yong-Hoon: POSCO Masters: Leading the Way Towards Automation

Thank you to the experts that helped make the Steel Wire shine like steel in 2017. In 2018, we look forward to even more opportunities to collaborate with even more experts to help provide you, our readers, a deeper understanding of steel and its applicability across industries.

For some artists, steel can be heavy and difficult to work with. In addition, considerations for ductility, corrosion resistance, and price must also be taken into account. Working to address these issues, POSCO has partnered with many artists, architects, and designers to provide the right steel to match their artistic vision.

In the three pieces below, POSCO’s World Premium Products were used to offer unique solutions for each design concept. See how these three pieces of art utilized steel to not only make them stronger and longer-lasting, but also to make them more beautiful.

POSCO’s Solar Pine – Art that Generates Energy

The Solar Pine sculpture is located at POSCO Energy’s headquarters in Incheon, South Korea. POSCO Energy wanted to install a structure in its Green Park that utilized solar power, could be mass-produced, and displayed an aesthetic beauty that could be used in parks and green spaces around the globe. Its pattern resembles the geometric shape of a pine cone with an angled roof with solar panels. During the day, its unique pattern casts a beautiful shadow on the ground below, and at night the energy absorbed by the solar panels is used to power lighting on the Solar Pine and also within the park.

At night the Solar Pine lights up using the energy absorbed through its solar panels. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

The upper structure is 7.2m in diameter and contains nine separate modules with 54 solar panels that can generate 1200W per hour. Also, because it is made for mass production, each piece is made in the factory and bolt-assembled on location – making construction simpler while also lowering costs.

The Solar Pine roof is tilted to provide maximum energy absorption for the 54 solar panels. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

POSCO’s Solar Pine is built with PosMAC steel, an advanced, high-strength steel that is lighter and thinner than galvanized steel and more resistant to corrosion. PosMAC is ideal for structures like the Solar Pine, which require strong, lightweight steel that can withstand the elements. PosMAC has also been used in other designs requiring this combination including POSCO Humans’ floating solar power system, high-durability homes, auto parts, and several new green energy projects in India.

During the day, the light shines through the roof of the Solar Pine, replicating its geometric design in shadows on the ground. (Photo courtesy of Kyungsub Shin)

POSCO’s Steel Igloo

Steel is typically used as structural support; however, when designing the Steel Igloo, architect Kim Chan-joong decided to use POSCO’s World Premium Product PossSD, an advanced steel that offers superior strength and ductility.

The reflective surface of the Steel Igloo combined with the punctured surface creates a unique viewing experience. First constructed for an exhibition at Kumho Art Museum, it was later moved to a forest near Suwon, Korea.

The Steel Igloo is made from 177 steel sheets, each punctured with holes allowing light to break through. The combination of the holes and the reflective surface of the steel create a very unique experience for those lucky enough to see it in person.

POSCO worked with Kim during the manufacturing process, helping with the polishing, bending and reflective effect that was requested in the original blueprint.

PossSD, which stands for Super Ductile Duplex, was used because of its notable characteristics that make it suitable for an outdoor art display like the Steel Igloo.

The punctured holes of the Steel Igloo allow light to come through and create shadows on the surrounding walls.

PossSD combines austenitic and ferritic steels to maximize the strength of each while minimizing the weaknesses. Austenitic and ferritic steels are both considered fairly easy to produce, but both have certain drawbacks. Austenitic steels are low-strength and but also offer high resistance to corrosion. Ferritic steel, on the other hand, is stronger but less resistance to corrosion. They also use less nickel than austenitic steel, making it slightly more economical.

By combining those two types of steel in PossSD, POSCO was able to create a unique product that is stronger and more ductile than most ferritic grades, while also being twice as strong as both types of steel by themselves. It also offers stronger corrosion resistance while also being more cost effective.

Stepping inside the Steel Igloo allows viewers a completely different experience with light shining inward.

Pangdolane – Resting in a Rock Made of Steel

Pangdolane is a wordplay on the Korean words pang-dol, a type of volcanic rock found on Jeju Island and an-ae, meaning inside. POSCO worked with multiple artists, scientists, and architects to create this public art piece that also provides a small shelter for those visiting Jeju Island.

Pangdolane sits near a beach on Jeju Island. (Photo courtesy of Scale.kr)

With its gray color and holes of varying sizes, the exterior of Pangdolane resembles the basaltic rock for which it is named. Inside Pangdolane, visitors can rest while enjoying the shadows created by the design of the structure.

Sitting inside Pangdolane lets visitors see a completely different view. (Photo courtesy of Scale.kr)

Located on a beach on Jeju Island, designers were faced with issues of corrosion. The air in coastal regions typically has a higher saline density, which causes metals, including steel, to corrode much more quickly. Therefore, POSCO’s World Premium Product PosMAC was used to construct Pangdolane. PosMAC is specifically designed to be both more resistant to corrosion and self-healing. When designing Pangdolane, PosMAC was the obvious choice as its special properties ensure that it will stand the test of time – even on the beach.

Steel is often used in buildings to make them stronger and long-lasting. But steel does not have to be behind walls and floors; it can also be used on the exterior. In each of the art pieces above, POSCO’s World Premium Products were used in order to provide specific benefits that fit each situation’s needs. Whether it is having a higher resistance to corrosion or providing a lighter solution that can be mass-produced and bolted on site – POSCO’s World Premium Products have been able to overcome many of the problems that come with working in steel to make sure that these pieces of art can be enjoyed for decades to come.

Don’t miss any of the exciting stories from The Steel Wire – subscribe via email today. 

The Steel Wire recently spoke with Bruvel about his Flow Series of sculptures. With ribbons of stainless steel, Bruvel has created stunning representations of life, its dualities, and its binding contradictions.

You’ve worked with a variety of media including oils, pencils, pastels, wood, and bronze. With the Flow Series you began using stainless steel. What inspired you to start working with steel?

Among all the different material I use for my artwork, stainless steel or inox steel has the qualities I needed to materialize the sculptures of the Flow Series. I wanted to create different variations of reflectivity for the surface of my artwork to fuse with its environment by simply reflecting it. The reflections can be made from grained surfaces up to a highly reflective mirror polish surfaces. If I want to represent the feeling of water or the sensation of the wind pressing on the skin like in the sculpture of the Wind, I can play with these variations to further the feeling of flow and my personal interpretations of patterns inspired by nature.

“Bringing stainless steel to this new platform was to bring the paradox of the sense of permanence that stainless-steel gives, its natural resistance to rusting over time and stability in harsh environment…”
– Gil Bruvel

Steel seems like it would be a difficult medium to work with. How has steel allowed you to express your creativity, compared to other media?

Stainless steel is indeed a rigorous material needing very structured methods to work with. But at the same time, it allows this illusory notion of opposite between the rigidity of steel and this sense of fluidity and movement I can infuse it with. It momentarily freezes the ephemeral, the constant motion of nature, permanence and impermanence.

Gil Bruvel works on My Mirror Remains (Photo courtesy of Gil Bruvel)

It is impressive to see you create such elaborate pieces using steel. Can you describe your work process? How do you go from idea to steel sculpture? How long does it take? What tools do you use to mold your sculptures?

I start with various sketches and a considerable amount of time figuring out what my intentions are about a specific piece. This represents multiple iterations with sketches whether it is inspired by, as examples, erosions carved by the wind or water, dunes formations, ripples in the sand, physical sensations, motions, emotions, the grass or leaves in trees pushed by the wind and the infinite myriads of patterns small or large nature is made of.

Then I start to model the concepts until I think it is ready to receive a silicon mold. With this mold, we pull a wax for the lost wax process at the foundry and to finally do the casting. After removing the sprues and chasing the surface of the steel, I start to play with the reflectivity of the surface up to the most polished parts of the final sculpture.

It takes many months to create a sculpture from the original concept to the final cast.

Gil Bruvel’s Dichotomy sculpture that “meditates on and celebrates the dual nature of existence.” (Photo courtesy of Gil Bruvel)

Which steel sculpture would you consider to be your best, or favorite? And why?

My favorite sculpture of the Flow Series is of course the next one I am about to do with the renewed excitement to apply the new skills and knowledge I gathered from the previous works with the integration of new ideas and concepts as well as continuing to explore and studying new patterns.

“Among all the different material I use for my artwork, stainless steel or inox steel has the qualities I needed to materialize the sculptures… -Gil Bruvel

I like the sculpture of Dichotomy for the simplicity of its message about the human condition. The vertical lines in opposition with the horizontal lines contained within this same bust, whatever contradictions or oppositions we experience are simply part of who we are.

The sculpture of Rain is also one of my favorite for its meditative aspect. The sculpture entitled River with its metaphor of the river flow carrying our memories and experiences.

The Wind, the euphoric awareness of being alive, feeling the wind against our skin. And many other sculptures.

Offering a variation on the theme of human frailty, My Mirror Remains explores what it means to be fully human. (Photo courtesy of Gil Bruvel)

What message are you ultimately trying to convey through the Flow Series? How does using steel help you communicate that?

All the above might contribute to this question, but mainly I see art as a platform, an opportunity to experiment with my own perspective, in the form of artwork to show and share the results of these experimentations. To keep building a universal language we can all relate to. I think the universality of steel lends itself to this idea. Our planet is shrinking with the way we communicate and art can be what binds us together.

How is your artistic vision embodied through your use of steel in the Flow Series? How is it connected (or different) from your other work?

The many different material and methods I use to create my artwork goes in parallel with my passionate pursuit of knowledge. The Flow Series has been a centerpiece to my creative process, and I see it as a continuum to my previous experiments with other materials. Bringing stainless steel to this new platform was to bring the paradox of the sense of permanence that stainless-steel gives, its natural resistance to rusting over time and stability in harsh environment comparatively to other material; and at the opposite, the artistic expression of fleeting moments and ephemeral nature of our experiences we have, the constant changes and impermanence of life.

The Steel Wire is excited to have had the opportunity to talk with Gil Bruvel. His artistry and expertise surpass expectations and his exquisite sculptures show us the beauty that can be found in steel.

Watch the video below to see some of Gil Bruvel’s favorite pieces and hear more about his work process and inspiration. You can find out more about the artist and his exhibitions by visiting his website or following him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

BRUVEL from One Story Productions on Vimeo.

The POSCO Art Museum was founded in 1998 to foster creative growth by supporting new and established artists. POSCO began organizing the ‘The Great Artist’ competition in 2014 and since then has supported 53 emerging artists, helping them show their work to new audiences, both near and wide.

Paving Pathways for Emerging Artists  

In 2016, POSCO selected a total of 11 emerging artists working in various media, from photography to sculpture to painting. The exhibition was held at the POSCO Art Museum in Seoul from December 7-30 and showcased a total of 35 pieces. Let’s take a look at the 11 participants from the last competition who pushed the boundaries of creativity.

‘Chaos #10’ by Joolee Kang

Titled ‘Chaos #10’, Joolee Kang expressed the ambiguity of today’s advanced world and the way humans can manipulate the process of natural evolution through means like hybridization and genetic engineering. Kang is passionate about creating art pieces that reflect the way people appreciate and compete with nature at the same time.

‘Imagined Memories’ by Inkyung Kwon

Through his painting titled ‘Imagined Memories’, Inkyung Kwon has expressed how people form memories and anticipations about specific places and spaces to which they belong and how these memories are often explored in the realm of imagination.

‘Kangsan Moojin’ by Chunjae Kim

The setting of ‘Kangsan Moojin’ is the development site of Songdo International Business District in Korea. Chungjae Kim has portrayed the development site as a utopian fantasy and how we are facing a hostile atmosphere while dreaming of a more convenient future.

‘Time of Others’ by Sukmin Park

In this work, Sukmin Park looks at objects that cannot be contextualized in our daily lives and rearranges them through spontaneous imagination.

‘Homage to Becher II’ by Seungwon Yang

Seungwon Yang photographed an observatory tower that has been designed and created for specific purposes in the past. The image explores how buildings can be easily built and destroyed as they exist only in a temporary form.

‘Camino Recto – Madrid’ by Saejung Lee

Through her work ‘Camino Recto – Madrid’, Saejung Lee conveys her impressions of Madrid from when she first visited the city and what was most memorable to her: the Plaza Mayor.

‘Particle G800301 II’ by Yongsun Jang

In ‘Particle G800301 II’ by Yongsun Jang, the artist underscores how everything around us is made of particles and  expresses the mystery of life and the universe under the theme “Luminescent in Darkness.”

‘The Wall in the Mind Ⅲ’ by Yoomi Chung

Yoomi Chung’s ‘The Wall in Mind III’ makes observations on the abandoned styrofoam that can be found all around us. Her work expresses the physiological boundaries that exist between people, which can be tense and soft, or broken down in a moment.

‘Karat Variable Chemical Solution Glass, Electronic Device’ by Jiyeon Jung

Artist Jiyeon Jung created an installation consisting of 10 sound tubes and 9 seed-shaped glasses – all of which have light shining through them. Jung emphasizes how their shape and sound change based on light and temperature, as if they are telling a story on creation.

‘The Maker’ by Jihyeon Jung

Jihyun Jung makes connections between the ordinary scenes around us and the social issues that are present under the surface. In this work in particular, Jung looks at what happens in an apple field without a toilet.

Han Kyungwon ‘The Great Artist’ of 2016 

The winner of ‘The Great Artist’ competition was Han Kyungwon. Han has painted landscapes since she was a university student studying oriental painting, but has moved beyond the traditional to make something individual to her vision.   She expresses her unique viewpoint in an emotionally compelling way by creating and then destroying her work with fire.

Han began painting landscapes with the encouragement of her university professor. Her passion grew and she began visiting the mountainside up to three times per week to paint. However, one day while painting, she became so frustrated that she decided to burn her assignment. Upon looking at the charred remnants of her work, she realized it was more compelling to her than the traditional paintings she had been so focused on creating.

‘Ash-6’ Work of POSCO’s 2017 ‘The Great Artist’ Competition Winner (2010)

Since then, she has been working on the process of creating and destroying her work to reveal the dualities of life. As the winner of ‘The Great Artist’ competition, Han will be awarded with her own solo show at the  POSCO Art Museum in 2017.

The 11 emerging artists who participated in the ‘The Great Artist’ competition all portrayed their unique ideas and passion for art. POSCO will continue to promote emerging artists who have the courage to display their creativity to the world and contribute to pushing the boundaries of art in Korea. Which of these pieces and/or artists inspired you the most?

Apart from music’s biggest night, the Staples Center hosts more than 250 events throughout the year including the games of the NBA’s Lakers & Clippers, the NHL’s Kings, the WNBA’s Sparks, and countless other events. It can host an LA Lakers game one night and in less than 24 hours, it will have transformed into an ice skating rink for the LA Kings (watch the video below to see how it is done). Rolling Stone magazine named it among the top 8 arenas in the US, and it remains one of the top grossing venues as well.

Watch the Staples Center transform itself through 6 events in 4 days.

Obviously a building of this magnitude requires steel in its construction. But a closer look at the Staples Center reveals some unique characteristics that make it stand out among some of the best venues in America.

The Supertruss Supporting the Roof

Most circular arenas and stadiums are built using a ring beam design; however, the Staples Center engineers decided to go with an exposed supertruss in which the structure’s framework is supported by one central truss that supports the building like a spine. At the time of its construction, no other circular sports facility in the nation had used such a design due to the high cost of the steel that had be used for the supertruss.

This supertruss, measuring 64m wide and almost 14m deep and spans the 132m roof with secondary trusses reaching out to connect to the walls. It was assembled in 5 separate sections more than 30 meters in the air, and after each section was complete, the mechanical and roofing systems were installed.

In this short timelapse video, the supertruss can be seen as its spans the diameter of the Staples Center

The Staples Center has hosted the awards show for 17 out of the last 18 years in part due to this roof and its ability to withstand excessive weight demands of up to 175 tons. Staples Center GM Lee Zeidman told Billboard.com that for the first show, he  hired a surveying company to make sure the roof didn’t warp and that the steel didn’t drop. He said, “Nobody had ever done that big of a Grammy show in a building before.”

Strengthening with Shear Walls

To support the Staples Center against the earthquakes that regularly hit the Los Angeles area, contractors needed to increase the structural integrity of the building. PCA, the contractor that made much of the cement foundation, explained that in order to strengthen the perimeter of the main bowl area, they included 4 curved shear walls up to 53m long and almost 49m tall that were used to counter the effects of the lateral load. Also, along the radial lines are 10 more cast-in-place shear walls up to 15m long and 76cm thick. The walls are all supported by large mat style grade beams with cast-in-place ring beams tying the walls together with the precast columns between them. The shear walls and structural reinforcements provide support to the Staples Center and the visitors in the building.

Connecting everything together with steel

In addition to supporting the roof and walls, steel runs throughout the rest of the Staples Center as well.  The concession stands and restaurants are all connected by seemingly endless steel pipes that deliver the beverage of choice to millions of fans, and the ice hockey rink could never be made without the help of pumps and stainless steel piping. Murray Company was contracted for the installation of the sump pump system (for the ice floor), water systems, fuel oil systems, and concession stand piping. They reported using “in excess of 68,000 man hours with a peak crew size of 40 tradesmen” to install the maze of pipes for the Staples Center.

Steel piping runs throughout the Staples Center helping to make sure everything gets where it needs to be. (Photo courtesy of Murray Company)

*Cover photo courtesy of mark6mauno

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This new steel can be printed in full-color and its resolution is more than 1200 dpi (dots per inch)—four times higher than that of the existing material. It delivers meticulous design, allowing for the printing of repeating patterns or a split image of a massive work of art.

Making the best of these improvements, the newly developed steel is expected to replace the existing product in the market of household appliances, including refrigerators and washing machines, as well as interior and furniture materials.

The existing steel is used with roll printing or silk-screen printing. It boasts a lower resolution and can only be printed in a maximum of five colors. Its vulnerability to air and humidity facilitates discoloration, while its poor adhesion causes coating to peel and flake prematurely.

This has led POSCO to develop a new steel sheet that can be printed with inkjet technology using an ink solution that has high corrosion resistance and workability. This steel sheet presents more vivid colors compared to the previous one and the shortened work process largely reduces the production cost.

Pictured in the circle above is POSCO’s inkjet-printed steel applied to the outer wall of the parking garage of the RIST office. The color and texture of marble has been perfectly reproduced to the point that it is difficult to differentiate the sheet from real marble. It also completely resolves the corrosion of marble caused by wind and rain.

Recently, the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST), a research affiliate of POSCO, applied the inkjet-printed steel to the outer wall of its parking garage, creating a genuine marbleized effect in color and texture. It replaced the real marble wall that had been corroded by wind and rain, giving the building a beautiful, elegant look.

POSCO expects the inkjet printing technology will be widely used in the markets of household appliances and construction materials, both in Korea and internationally, resulting in increased sales of the company’s World Premium (WP) products.

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Steel Igloo

To explore the full potential of steel for construction materials, POSCO collaborated with architect Kim Chan Joong, CEO of The System Lab, to create the steel sculpture, “Steel Igloo.” Produced using POSCO’s world premium PosSD stainless steel, Steel Igloo will be on display at Seoul Kumho Museum, until December 13, 2015.

Steel Igloo is 3.5 meter tall, and was inspired by a forest scene.

Steel Igloo is a 3D structure made of 177 steel sheets. Light from inside the sculpture shines through uniquely punctured steel panels, recreating the ambience of light and shadows of the deep forest. Viewers can see their own reflection in the reflective panel surfaces, providing a unique visual experience.

POSCO played an active role in the manufacturing process, including the polishing, bending and reflective effect based on Kim Chan Joong’s blueprint. In building construction, steel is often used as a structural support; however, through this collaborative effort, Kim Chan Joong explored the possibility of using steel for both exterior and interior frames.

Left: After taking photographs of the forest, the designer mapped images on a steel panel surface. Right: Installation model

When the exhibition concludes, Steel Igloo will be transported to a forest in nearby Suwon. After reaching its final destination, the mirrored surface of the sculpture will reflect the natural light and imagery of the surrounding scenery. Steel Igloo will become an enchanting part of nature. 

POSCO Steel in Construction Design

Stone, wood and other building materials have been used for construction in many ways. The use of steel was previously limited due to its need for large scale construction machines.

Despite this, steel is proving to be more popular as its value continues to be recognized.

POSCO plans to continue its collaboration with Kim Chan Joong to develop interior and exterior steel materials for construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2016. Additionally, POSCO will develop its steel design construction based on this project.

By applying the concept of solutions marketing, which provides choices for materials selection, surface polishing, scission and welding, POSCO strives to expand the potential for steel in the market.

Production process from start: surface grinding and polishing treatments, cutting and perforating, bending and folding, assembly

CEO Kim Chan Joong expressed that he wanted to create a steel constructed sculpture that embodies the physical characteristics of steel, as well as steel’s wide range of application in machinery.

Concrete, brick and glass cannot produce the wide range of products, from micro to massive scale. Steel is one of a few materials that is able to do so, and the Steel Igloo project showcases that point. Based on insight from the production of Steel Igloo, POSCO will continue to explore the wide applications of steel. 

Design Solutions with POSCO Steel

Construction of the Best Western Hotel, located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is one of the most well-known collaborative projects completed by POSCO and Kim Chan Joong.

The Best Western Hotel, which includes five underground levels and 15 ground levels, recently passed reviews by the Architectural Committee. The building’s main feature includes exterior panels made from POSCO steel.

POSCO PosSD stainless steel can be used for many purposes, from art to building construction. The adoption of PosSD is expected to expand due to its ability to be used for many purposes. [Image: Building construction blueprint, set for completion in 2016]

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Cloud Gate, Chicago

Known as “The Bean” for its shape, the Cloud Gate is made from 168 stainless steel plates welded together, and its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is one of the largest steel structures in the world and is one of Chicago’s main tourist attractions. Made to resemble a drop of mercury, the Cloud Gate reflects the Chicago skyline and mirrors the visitors that stand beneath the 12-foot arch.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1KRfaeY)

Sibelius Monument, Helsinki

Dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, this sculpture is made up of more than 600 stainless steel tubes, welded to resemble organ pipes. A smaller version of the monument is located at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The unconventional design inspired debate about the merits of abstract art.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1Wxpcub)

Unisphere, New York

One of the most iconic steel structures ever built is the Unisphere, which was commissioned to celebrate the beginning of the space age. It is a stainless steel representation of Earth, with three orbit rings representing the course of the first manned space missions. The Unisphere is a symbol of the world’s unification as it expanded into the universe.

Cones, Canberra

The Cones consists of seven polished stainless steel cones, stretching 20 meters in length. Like the Cloud Gate in Chicago, the Cones reflects the surrounding environment. Designed by one of Australia’s most accomplished sculptors, the Cones was commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, and represents the constant change of possibilities. The sculptor discovered steel after experimenting with a number of materials. Though it has a strong geometric design, the use of steel counterbalances that was a very precise and minimal effect.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1VriALc) 

Beijing National Stadium, Beijing

Beijing National Stadium is the world’s largest steel structure. Nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, this Olympic stadium looks more like a public work of art. The design originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implementing steel beams to hide supports for the retractable roof, which was later removed. The stadium was designed for use during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics. It is scheduled to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Amabel, Seoul

Located outside the Seoul HQ of POSCO, this large work of art was built to honor the passing of a daughter of the designer’s friend, who was onboard a plane that crashed. Named for the deceased, Amabel represents both the twisted metal of the plane and the delicate petals of a flower. It was later renamed Flowering Structure – Amabel.

POSCO has long celebrated the beauty of steel in contemporary design. Visitors can see examples of steel art at the POSCO Art Museum. Read more about how steel has progressed from a material of industry to one of art. From functional form to beautiful design, steel continues to inspire.

“As I stepped closer to this work of art, the peace of the forest disappeared. The trees, the rays of light and the outlines of the trees’ roots gradually scattered, leaving behind only entangled wires. They were all I could see. As I backed up, the forest reappeared, at first glance appearing like pencil drawings. Then I asked myself, is what I see now the forest, or not?” Sung-ran Park, Novelist

What We See is Not Everything

Seung-mo Park is a sculptor who uses stainless steel wires to create complex and stunning works of art. Park layers the wire, bending and welding it until he completes his three-dimensional sculptures.

The right distance is required to enjoy Seung-mo Park’s “Yeon-gi 8460.” Yeon-gi is a Buddhist concept of connection; everything is interdependent. All things arise as a result of multiple causes and conditions. As viewers draw closer, shapes scatter until finally they may wonder what they saw. Wire entanglements, which were used to make the piece, are all that remain. Suddenly, the viewers can feel the weight of the wire materials, and the change of the property can be confusing. Some of Park’s pieces weigh over one ton.

“Most people who see Yeon-gi have the same feeling,” says the artist, Seung-mo Park with a smile. Born in Gyung-nam Sanchung, he speaks with using a local dialect. Having been raised in a small country town, there was not much to see or do, so he occupied his time by drawing pictures on the ground. Although not really sure why, his usual subject was horses. Amazed, his friends would surround him, watching while he drew. After some time, his life would change because of a phone call from one of these friends.  

Most people focus on the material first. When Park exhibited his aluminum series, people often asked him how he came to decide on aluminum. They wondered how aluminum wires could be used to create everything objects like bicycles, instruments, statues of Buddha and even people.

A bicycle is a bicycle. An instrument is an instrument. Buddha is Buddha. But are the sculptures even real? The sculptures made of meticulously wound up wires are all empty inside. What the viewers think they see, isn’t truly there. The intensity of the subject matter and the difficulty of the pieces of art captivated audiences.

Seung-mo Park says of his work, “You recognize it clearly as a picture from a distance first, but as you start to approach, it begins to fade and you feel a sense of alienation. People usually move back to view the work again, what I want is only for them to ask themselves at that moment – ‘Is it real or not?’”

(Image: http://bit.ly/1JUM6aL)

Intertwining Connections with Steel

He had previously thought about creating art with steel. By chance, he spoke to his friend who happened to be a painter. “Different muscles are developed depending on the environment where a man grows up. And one can know who he is and how he has lived so far based on them.” That story remained with him for a long time. He wondered, was he made in a same way? If environment makes a man, is man not made of particles which are, in effect, just tangled connections?”

Park began work on Yeon-gi based on that idea; however, it was difficult to find adequate material to represent particles. He tried working with straw numerous times, but it couldn’t be molded. Aluminum was laborious to weld, but the biggest challenge was that it collapsed and couldn’t hold its shape. Steel was the final option. Steel is now his most favorite material because steel is capable of being molded and carved. Still it took a long time to find a way to make steel represent particles. 

Who Am I?

A phone call with his hometown friend prompted Park to ask himself, “Who am I?” His friend reminded him he once drew pictures very well. At that moment, Park realized that while he had once believed it was his mission, he only started to draw to get the attention of others. He immediately stopped studying and headed to India. While he was visiting Parbat Mountain, he found himself drawing again while sitting in a café. Speaking about his vision as active artist, he says, “I think there’s no answers. In the past, I tried to find answers. But now, all I think about is finding the question.”

(Image: http://bit.ly/1UDLRUy)

After the interview, the artist shared a photo of a back view of Yeon-gi. Yeon-gi is not a work of art that can be viewed passively. The audience actively views it from all angles. They will find more light from the back view than the front.

What is this? What is the difference between the back and the front of the wire entanglements? When the audience considers these questions, a complete understanding of the work is discovered. It is this duality that has been central to Seung-mo Park for a long time; life and death, dream and reality. The images he creates are vague, like a fantasy. We are only particles too, such as the trees and water in Yeon-gi. Suddenly, the audience finds themselves asking themselves the question, “Who am I?” There was no clear answer, but the question is enough.