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.

On June 30, NCCP Chairman Ahn Chung Young announced the evaluation results for 2014 at its 35^th general meeting at Seoul Palace Hotel.

The evaluation is divided into four grades; best, excellent, satisfactory and fair. One hundred twelve major companies which have great economic influence, according to business type and of impact of shared growth among the top 450 major companies in terms of sales, were assessed. The value of shared growth indexes is quantified by evaluating the shared growth levels of major companies in order to create fair trade and a culture of shared growth among major companies and SMEs.

Only 19 companies, including POSCO, were awarded the highest grade, 37 companies were awarded an excellent grade, 42 companies, including POSCO E&C, received a satisfactory grade and the remaining 14 companies received a fair grade.

Companies who achieve the highest grade receive benefits for one year with the Fair Trade Commission, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Public Procurement Service and National Tax Service.

POSCO won additional accolades and was selected as one of “The Most Honorable Company” recipients. It has secured this title for three consecutive years along with Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, SK Global Chemicals and SK Telecom. This honor means being recognized as having earned the highest grade and be given the same incentives as the highest grade for an additional year, even in the case of receiving an excellent grade next year.

POSCO will develop “Creating Shared Value” (CSV) programs and policies which promote ways to achieve sustainable partnerships with cooperating companies and plans to continue operating as an exemplary company of shared growth by actively promoting these programs.

Steel has been used for some 3,800 years and has played a significant role in civilization throughout the history of mankind. From its use in the ancient weapons and hand tools of Rome and India, to the bridges and modern architectural marvels of today, the metal has been utilized in just about every conceivable way and it is seemingly impossible to imagine a world without it.

Unsurprisingly, as times have changed, so has the way we use steel. Not only has it been a practical material of function, but it has evolved into one of form, too, as a medium of art that transcends eras of historical metal relics to modern design. Nevertheless, many ancient steel artifacts, such as Damascus steel swords or Buddhist sculptures, for example, can be considered works of art themselves; the level of detail and quality of craftsmanship demonstrated in such pieces are spectacular, especially taking into account that they were created without the use of modern technology.

Today, sculpting steel is a form of artistry unlike any other and, in the hands of the right person, the durable, malleable material is capable of being transformed into just about anything the imagination can fathom.

An Artistic Metamorphosis

Contemporary artists of the 1900s continued to expand steel’s boundaries as a medium of art. American artist Alexander Calder changed the course of modern art by developing a pioneering technique to sculpt and twist wire into poetic, abstract shapes to create three-dimensional mobiles that hang in uncanny, perfect balance. Later on in his career, Calder devoted himself to making outdoor monumental sculptures in bolted sheet steel that continue to adorn public plazas across the world. Similarly, Richard Serra, often hailed as the world’s “greatest living sculptor”, also incorporated unconventional, industrial materials to accentuate the physical properties of art in the 1960s. His works, which are primarily large-scale and site-specific that engage with a particular urban or landscape setting, have become known all around the globe and have been the inspiration behind the designs of everything from electronics to fashion.

A Journey through the Art of Steel

Perhaps nowhere is this evolution from function to form more clear than at the POSCO Art Museum in Seoul, South Korea, which, to mark the foundation’s 20^th anniversary, is hosting an exhibition entitled Cheori Cheolcheol: From the Four Devas to Robot Taekwon V until July 7 (after which it will be held at the Pohang POSCO Gallery from July 17 to August 13).

The exhibition, which displays statues, handicrafts and furniture, among other works, from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) to modern times, aims to illustrate the past, the present and the future of steel in our everyday lives.

Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by “Robot Taekwon V”, a sculpture inspired by an animated superhero robot of the same name popular in the 1970s, by Kim Taek-ki, a young artist who has been in the spotlight for his creative ideas.

Another highlight is “Yeongi”, an extraordinary landscape piece by Seungmo Park. In his Maya series (“illusion” in Sanskrit), of which the work is a part of, Park sketches and cuts two-dimensional contours on stainless steel mesh to create a type of three-dimensionality, which alters the appearance of the works depending on the angles from which they are viewed.

Each of the pieces on display at the POSCO Art Museum allows visitors to experience the diverse and sometimes contradicting aspects of steel, which are both strong and soft, and cold and hot.

By taking a look at the ancient artifacts of the distant past, as well as the futuristic works of contemporary times, it is clear that not only has steel been used for more than a thousand years in daily life, but it has also breathed life into the passion of artists throughout time.

Cable Cars Gripped on Underground Steel Cables
San Francisco is a city with exceptional quantities of steep hills, which are not relatively common in other cities in the U.S. In the early 1900s, when automobiles were not common, pedestrian roads, bicycles, and horse carriages were everything on the street. As the city expanded, increasing number of buildings had to position over the hills while the distance for horse carriages also extended further. In fact, on rainy days, some horses slipped and sometimes died from terrible leg injuries. Such limitations in transportation stagnated quantitative development of the city.

In 1869, Andrew Hallidie witnessed the situation and proposed a cable car that grips on steel cables that are installed on the street. The first line of the cable railway started its construction in 1873 and started operating 3 years later. The operation power at the time was a steam engine, which now have changed to electricity.

There are three tracks on the cable car railway; two tracks on each sides are for cable car wheels and one in the center is for the steel cable. This central track has a space underneath that makes the steel cables flow restlessly in the speed of 15km per hour while making a clamorous sound. Interestingly, the steel cable consists of small steel wires twisted together. To be specific, 19 steel wires of 2.5mm- diameter form one medium size bundle. And six of those medium size bundle make one large steel cable of 3.2cm-diameter. The wires are twisted in a spiral to maximize cohesion among them. Also, to protect the wires and cables from friction with surrounding materials, they are greased amply. These cables are changed every 6 to 8 months.

The cable car system has been running for the past 140 years. Though the power source has been changed from steam engine to electricity, the cable cars – packed with people and luggage – are always traveling throughout the city while providing convenience and extending the city. In fact, the cable cars which allow people to indulge in a vivid and romantic scenery, have been made from a tiny steel wire of 2.5mm-diameter.

Golden Gate Bridge, the Turning Point

In 1929, the world economy faced the Great Depression. Especially, the Golden Gate strait separating the city of San Francisco and Sausalito, restricted nearby cities to interact, leading to limit balanced and holistic development of the cities. Therefore, the general public suggested to create a fundamental frame of city development, resulting in construction of the Gold Gate Bridge – a 2.7km-long suspension bridge between the city of San Francisco and Sausalito.

However, circumstances were not idealistic. The bridge construction had to manage the deep sea level of the San Francisco Bay and the bridge deck had to be installed high enough for large ships to pass through. On top of its notorious reputation for its thick fogs and fierce current, the location is a strategically important location for military purposes, which does not allow any possibility of blockade of straits due to possible collisions in the area.

The suspension bridge system was the final proposal chosen to satisfy the tough conditions. Rather than requiring to place a bridge post in the center, the suspension bridge has bridge post on each end, and the bridge deck hangs perpendicularly on the cable placed on each bridge post. Therefore, its structural functions were maximized by minimizing the thickness and ultimately provided enough height for shipments to travel through.

However, the problem was about building the main cable and the bridge deck with the level of technology and given conditions at the time. In order for the main cable to sustain the weight of the bridge deck, pedestrians and vehicles, a large sized steel of which cross section is 92 cm in diameter was needed. At that time, it was impossible to transport a colossal steel structure of the corresponding size. As a result, it was proposed to use a thin steel wire – slightly thicker than a strand of hair – to make transportable bundles and repeatedly crisscrossed them in between the main posts.

Accordingly, 452 steel wires that are 5.2mm in diameter, were twisted as one bundle, which is 11cm in diameter. These palm-sized bundles are crisscrossed between the two main posts to make even bigger bundles. 61 of these bundles make the upper cable structure which is 92cm in diameter. For the final process, these bundles are knotted regularly and a corrosion-proof steel cover tops the bundles. In total, there were 27,572 wires used. Since a single cable requires 128,748 km length of wires, the total length of the wires used for two cables can presumably rotate the earth 6.5 times. The highest point of the post is about 227m from the water level and is about 67m from seawater.

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, another Symbol of San Francisco

A year before the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was built in 1936. While the Golden Gate Bridge opened a route to Sausalito in the North, the Bay Bridge also led San Francisco to grow as a giant metropolitan area by connecting the city with industrially developed Oakland city in the East.

The total length of the Bay Bridge is 13.5km long and is divided into eastern and western by Yerba Buena Island in the middle. Constructed by C. H. Purcell in 1936, the Bay Bridge, is about five times longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. This bridge has a double-decked structure, of which the lower deck used to be for trains, and now both decks are used as one-way roads for automobiles. The bridge decks are 150m above water level, allowing ships to travel through flexibly. The Bay Bridge was built with Cantilever method, which used a mobile work vehicle rather than a connected pan of the deck. This method is known for its economic efficiency in valleys, rivers, oceans, and areas with high traffic. The Bay Bridge now has more than 250,000 vehicles passing through every day.

San Francisco has everything that a modern city requires. Today, San Francisco has grown into a city that is powerful enough to influence the world economy. It maybe, the hair-thin steel wires that enabled this city to achieve such developments in quality along with its miraculously beautiful scenery.

Lee, Young-joo = A specialist in international cities and architectural design at POSCO A&C Design Center. Participated in new city and architectural design projects in Vietnam, Myanmar, Canada, Australia, and other international cities. She is very interested in the uncovered history and stories behind cities and architecture.

This marked the first time in 40 years that POSCO began producing molten iron overseas since its first effort on Yeongilman Bay in Pohang. POSCO’s 40 years of devotion to steel has begun to make its appearance overseas.

Approximately 500 employees and government officials of both countries attended the ceremony. These attendees included the Indonesia president Yudhoyono, the head of Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade Hidayat, the Vice Minister of  Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy Kim Jaehong, Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Yeongseon, ASEAN Ambassador Baek Seongtaek, POSCO CEO Chung Joonyang, Krakatau President Irvan, client companies, construction companies, suppliers, external partners, and regional representatives.

In his congratulatory speech President Yudhoyono said, “I anticipate that Krakatau POSCO’s steel products, manufactured at these cutting edge facilities will both satisfy steel demand in Indonesia, and greatly contribute to economic growth and job creation.”

CEO Chung said, “The past 30 months of integrated steelworks construction was not an easy journey, but we have succeeded with the strength of Korean technology and Indonesia’s excellent manpower. Just as POSCO’s philosophy of serving its home country by the means of steel production became the basis for national economic development in Korea, I am certain that Krakatau POSCO will serve Indonesia in the same capacity.”

Krakatau POSCO was jointly established by POSCO and Indonesia’s state-run Krakatau Steel at a share ratio of 7 to 3, and boasts iron making, steelmaking, and steel plate production facilities. The company is capable of producing 1.8 million tons of slab and 1.2 million tons of steel plate.

Krakatau POSCO plans to reach positive operating profits in 2014, its first year of operation, through proactive market development and low-cost production technologies. The company will proactively secure sales networks in the domestic market where prices are higher than exports, and sell 1.5 million tons of slab and 600,000 tons of steel plate in Indonesia.
The company also plans to secure competitiveness in its early stages, through innovative cost reduction activities such as utilizing POSCO’s unique production technology which can employ low grade materials, and thus gradually utilize Indonesian steel ore in place of costly imported steel ores.

Over the course of the integrated steel works project, the POSCO Family companies in each field, including construction, power generation, and IT, gathered together to mark a new milestone in overseas steelworks construction. When the Pohang Steelworks was first built 40 years ago, POSCO had to solely rely on overseas technologies but it can now construct overseas steelworks on its own.

POSCO E&C was responsible for overall engineering and construction of the integrated steelworks including iron making, steelmaking, and steel plate production facilities, while POSCO Energy was in charge of constructing a steam power plant. POSCO ICT established the EIC engineering and IT integrated system, while POSCO CHEMTECH supplied a processing facility producing limestone furnace and coke byproducts. POSCO M-TECH built a factory to produce aluminum deoxidizers, necessary for molten iron production. Daewoo International will support overseas exports and domestic sales of the steel materials produced in Indonesia, as well as new resource development in Indonesia.

In addition, 248 Korean small and medium sized companies participated in the construction of the Indonesian integrated steelworks, setting an example for win-win cooperation between large scale and small and medium sized companies. These small and medium sized companies were thus enabled to be involved with advanced steel facilities and global capabilities via POSCO.

The necessary equipment for the steelworks was provided by 222 small and medium sized companies, including Taechang Machinery which provided equipment to custom cut steel plates according client requirements, and Hyundai Mechanic & Electric which provided electric power receiving and distribution facilities. Overseas on-site construction was carried out by 26 companies, including Dongjin and Daeah E&C.

Indonesia makes up a large market, with a population of 250 million, maintaining an average annual growth at 6%. The market has excellent steel consumption potential, as 12.5 million tons of steel are necessary for economic growth. However, Indonesia has mostly relied on imports, with annual steel consumption per person of 50kg, less than one-twentieth that in Korea. There are no quality and cost competitive steelworks in surrounding economic areas, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar, thus ensuring further market potential for the steel industry in Indonesia. By commencing operations of the Indonesia integrated steelworks POSCO plans to complete a steel belt spanning China-Vietnam-Indonesia-India to target the Southeast Asian market, and continue to grow as a global steel company offering the world’s best competitiveness.

Become an insightful eye reflecting on the past, looking into the present, and presenting the future


I would like to extend my congratulations on the publication of the 1,000^th issue of POSCO News.

Looking back, since its first issue published on July 15^th, 1994 POSCO News has unswervingly served its role as the POSCO Family’s main communications medium for almost 20 years.

Quick and accurate communication of information as well as a variety of in-depth stories are the pride of POSCO News and the POSCO Family.

 POSCO News has not stopped merely at leaving simple records or delivering fragmented news. It has instead, served as a core of gathered wisdom through communications at each important moment the POSCO Family has faced. It has read and expressed the hearts and minds of employees and families as well as many stakeholders, inspiring pride in everyone’s hearts. This has become a source of bringing everyone together.

With POSCO News, the POSCO Family has been able to share one goal and move forward in the same direction.

POSCO News is an exemplary soft power of the POSCO Family. It is a media publication that encompasses earnest reflections on the past, a clear look into the present, and further, an insightful eye on the future, while at the same time acting as a place of consilience for professionalism in each field as well as the study of the humanities. As such, POSCO News is a precious asset that we must all develop together.

POSCO News is now commencing its voyage beyond issue 1,000, towards 2,000 and beyond. We all join this voyage together. Just as POSCO News has served as a compass for the POSCO Family, readers including myself must become the eyes, ears, and the soul of POSCO News. Only when we have done so can the path of POSCO News become the history of POSCO and wisdom promising the future.

I would like to sincerely thank the editorial staff for all its efforts, and once again congratulate them and you all
on the publication of our 1,000^th issue.

Thank you.

2013. 12. 19
CEO Chung Joonyang

On December 6^th, POSCO and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business hosted the ‘Launching ceremony for QSS innovation activities to make living manufacturing sites’ at Top Metal, located in the Namdong Industrial Complex in Incheon.

The ceremony was a result of the ‘POSCO-Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business Agreement to Spread QSS Innovation Activities,’ with the aim of expanding POSCO’s small and medium company innovation activity support from those involved in businesses with POSCO in the Pohang and Gwangyang regions to all 450 companies nationwide.

Seventy people attended the event, including Chairman Kim Ki-mun of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, CEO Chung Joonyang, as well as presidents and employees of small- and medium-sized companies participating in QSS innovation activities.

POSCO will provide overall management support from forming an innovation culture to talent fostering, efficiency management, and environment management to the small- and medium-sized companies participating in the QSS innovation activities.

The first priority will be to settle 5S (arrangement, order, cleaning, cleanliness, habituation) activities to eliminate sources of pollution and maintain a clean working environment. Daily inspection sheets will be utilized for systematic equipment inspection such as cleaning, tightening, and lubricating facilities, and maintaining the most optimal conditions through ‘management through the eyes’ activities. Material management efficiency will be maintained by adhering to fixed products, fixed quantities, and fixed locations, and preventing ‘time wasted from searching,’ while safety accident prevention will be guided through facility improvement and education.

Top Metal, where the event was held, has received QSS activity support from POSCO since last year, and since introducing QSS activities has seen great management results including reduced product manufacturing time, cost reduction, and improved quality and productivity.

 Participants heard Top Metal’s innovation activity results and learned innovation know-how by benchmarking real on-site cases, and developed a desire to improve productivity and secure competitiveness through QSS activities.

CEO Chung Joonyang commented, “In an era of increasingly intense and infinite competition, our small and medium companies must become stronger to survive, and to survive must become accustomed to change and improvement. The QSS activities POSCO is supporting will become the base for small and medium companies to grow innovation capabilities and become stronger.”

POSCO and the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business will start with support of 50 companies this year and extend it to an additional 100 companies each subsequent year, with plans to support a total of 450 small and medium companies by 2017 and help strengthen their competitiveness and continuous growth.