Nearly two tons of discarded Korean ceramic shards, once destined for landfills, have been meticulously reassembled into two monumental vessels now standing at Green-Wood. This powerful installation, 'Celadon Landscape' by artist Jean Shin, opened on April 18, 2026, creating a striking visual at the historic site, according to Green-Wood.
Individual ceramic fragments are considered waste, but when collectively reassembled, they form a powerful and cohesive artistic statement. This transformation challenges conventional notions of worth.
Therefore, 'Celadon Landscape' suggests that fragmented cultural histories can be re-contextualized to create new, resilient forms of identity and beauty. The work invites viewers to consider the profound potential for transformation.
The Architecture of Brokenness
The sculpture features two vessels, measuring 3 ft 3 in h x 15 ft w x 9 ft 7 in d and 3 ft 11 in h x 9 ft w x 9 ft 7 in d, according to Jeanshin. These monumental forms are crafted from shards of broken cups, saucers, and pots, collected from numerous kilns in Korea, reported Colossal and jeanshin.com. This intricate assembly of everyday broken objects elevates refuse into a powerful, unified form, demanding a closer look at the meticulous effort behind its creation and the stories held within each fragment.
A Diaspora Reimagined in Shards
Nearly two tons of ceramic fragments, collected from numerous kilns in Korea, were shipped and then assembled into mosaic vessels for 'Celadon Landscape,' as noted by Hube magazine and jeanshin.com. This arduous process directly mirrors the journey and re-formation of identity inherent in the Korean diaspora. It reveals a global paradox: industrial processes generate vast cultural waste, yet artists like Shin transform this refuse into powerful symbols of enduring heritage. The work compels a re-evaluation of what is truly 'broken' or 'lost' in cultural terms.
