I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 250



Only Krnovel

Episode 250. Presentation (1)

New York has long recognized the importance of public art.

Su-hyeon, who had been looking with wonder at the various works of art displayed on the streets, met Mayor Bloomberg and heard his vision, and began to look at the streets more closely than before.

And I realized how serious he was about this project.

Paintings, mosaics, sculptures, textiles. The works, which use a variety of expressive techniques as diverse as the artists’ origins, shout that this is New York, bringing life to every corner of the city.

So, we are looking forward to the 300 projects that will come to fruition in the future.

How wonderful would New York become if that were added?

“This way!”

The next time Soo-hyun met Mayor Bloomberg was on the morning of exactly a week after their first meeting.

The spring rain that fell two days ago had the plants growing green and preparing to bloom, and the weather was very pleasant. Even so.

“uh.”

Su-hyeon was embarrassed when she saw Mayor Bloomberg’s attire.

“Soohyun! Do you know how to ride a bike?”

Mayor Bloomberg was dressed casually and wearing a bicycle helmet over his head. He was supporting one bicycle with each hand.

“I know how to ride.”

Su-hyeon quickly approached Bloomberg and took a bicycle.

Judging by the look on his face, one of them seemed to have been prepared for Soo-hyun.

“Here’s your helmet.”

Bloomberg smiled brightly and held out his helmet. Su-hyeon tightened the slightly loose straps and climbed onto the bike.

“Then, let’s run for a bit.”

Bloomberg pedaled his bike hard first.

As of 2001, New York City had a population of 8 million.

In the early 19th century, it was a city of only 100,000 people, but recognizing that the population would rapidly increase in the future and the need for infrastructure, people of the time divided Manhattan into neatly spaced sections and numbered the roads.

From south to north, from 1st to 150th Streets are divided into Streets, and from east to west, from 1st to 12th Streets are divided into Avenues.

Thanks to this, Manhattan’s roads are well laid out, making it easy to map out the route in your head.

The problem is that traffic congestion is serious despite the enormous population growth.

With people working in New York and tourists traveling to the city, rush hours in New York are hell.

So, there are a lot of people who use bicycles, but even so, it’s hard to believe that Mayor Bloomberg rides a bicycle.

“… … .”

Su-hyeon shook her head as she followed Mayor Bloomberg, who was showing off his driving skills by shaking his butt.

I thought about picking up the pace a bit, to keep my butt from getting caught in the sights.

“Whew. Isn’t that pretty refreshing?”

While waiting for the signal to cross the street, Mayor Bloomberg spoke to me.

“It’s nice. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden one.”

“Did you ride it often in Korea?”

“Sometimes. In Korea, there is only one road that runs along the Han River. There is a place called Yeouido, which is like an island in Manhattan. In the past, many people used to go to the square there to ride bicycles. I also often went there with my friends.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“New York is very similar to Seoul. The size of the city and the population are similar.”

“Seoul… … Unfortunately, I have never been to Korea. I would like to go there someday.”

“You’re so busy. But if you get a chance, go next year. If possible, in the summer.”

“Next summer?”

“The 2002 World Cup will be held in Seoul. There will be a lot to see.”

“Aha, right. There was the World Cup. Americans like other games better, but let’s take note.”

“yes.”

If I go, I will be amazed by the Red Devils’ street cheering and the myth of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.

You will experience a new world with the breathtaking harmony of chicken and beer and the shocking taste of seasoned chicken.

Su-hyeon smiled and looked at Mayor Bloomberg.

The light changed again, and after riding for a while, Mayor Bloomberg stopped his bike at a cafe.

“This is my regular place. The espresso is top-notch.”

Bloomberg, who ordered coffee and a bagel, encouraged Su-hyeon to order one too.

Su-hyeon sat down with Bloomberg and enjoyed a light brunch.

The conversation continued, and I couldn’t tell if it was an interview or something.

“When I drive, walk, and ride a bike. Even though it’s the same road, the feeling is completely different. Does Su-hyeon know that?”

“Yes. I like walking. It’s good for thinking, and sometimes I get answers to my worries that I couldn’t solve.”

“As expected, artists and philosophers like to take walks, and Soo-hyun is no different. I also walk or ride a bike whenever I have time.”

“This was my first time biking in New York and I had a lot of fun.”

“is it so?”

As Bloomberg’s eyes lit up, Soo-hyun added.

“but.”

“What is it?”

“Just like the parking problem for cars, it’s a shame that there isn’t a proper place to park bicycles.”

Soo-hyun said, pointing to the bicycle leaning against the wall of the cafe.

In 2000, a public bicycle rental service began in Seoul.

At first, only those who know about it will use it, but gradually, the response will be explosive, and bicycle roads will be built and Ttareungi racks will be installed in various places.

Su-hyeon, who had seen the process, naturally thought of the things that New York currently needed.

“Hoo.”

Bloomberg raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“We are already thinking about expanding bike lanes and actively using bikes as a means of transportation. Bike lanes in Europe and Montreal have been a big stimulus.”

This point also closely resembled Seoul.

With a growing population and complex urban environment, Seoul and New York are looking to bicycles as a way to solve their traffic problems.

“A stand is also a necessary part. If you are going to use it as a means of transportation, it is obvious that you need a place to put it.”

Bloomberg nodded repeatedly as he spoke.

“Art is needed there too.”

Su-hyeon smiled brightly.

“Is it on a stand?”

“Yes. Public art isn’t something that you just put upright in a white cube, like a painting. It’s something that naturally blends into everyday life. Instead of making the stand look ugly, couldn’t we design it so that it can become a symbol of New York?”

“Isn’t that cool?”

The corners of Mayor Bloomberg’s mouth went up.

“Soohyun. You have good eyes.”

“yes?”

“Even if you look at the same thing, the phenomenon is bound to be interpreted differently depending on who is looking at it. When I look at people or events, they are always linked to policy, but I say this because I think it blossoms into art for Soo-hyun.”

“Ah. Well, I’m from this side.”

“I saw your work called ‘Gaze.’”

Bloomberg said, sipping his espresso.

“My work?”

Soo-hyun asked in surprise.

It was quite unexpected that Bloomberg would mention his old painting, “Gaze,” rather than his recent work that was presented in New York.

“Whitney showed me some of your works to study before meeting you, and the theme of ‘gaze’ piqued my curiosity. I thought you were a person with a broad and deep understanding, who could express different gazes on the same landscape.”

Bloomberg chuckled.

“The twist was that, just by looking at the picture, I thought the artist was in his 40s, or at least in his mid-30s, but he was so young. That’s why I was curious.”

“What is it?”

“Is what is contained in the painting really the artist’s essence, or is it just thoughts and feelings borrowed from somewhere? Oh, don’t misunderstand. Isn’t that the case with actors? An actor who plays the role of a very good mother can be a bundle of desires obsessed with money when you meet them in real life.”

“I’ve never met an actor before… … .”

“Haha! That’s what I’m saying.”

Bloomberg, who was laughing heartily, munched on the last piece of bagel and said:

“Anyway, you seem real. I’d like to work with you, Soo-hyun.”

“Thank you for the compliment. … … But.”

Soo-hyeon tilted her head and asked.

“Why me?”

It was a question that didn’t need to be asked.

An opportunity that some people cannot easily obtain no matter how much they want it.

It would not be an ordinary thing for one of the many artists to be selected by Bloomberg.

I had heard all too well of how many applicants struggled to stand in line and how they failed miserably even after making it to the interview.

So, it would be a normal reaction to be glad that you got hold of it and accept it with open arms,

Su-hyeon was curious.

The status of a foreign student who is neither a citizen nor a permanent resident.

And from Mayor Bloomberg’s perspective, he is from a small oriental country that he has never been to.

Even when evaluating individual abilities, there was no particular reason.

New York, a city of culture and arts, already had many great artists established themselves.

Even though Su-hyeon has been causing quite a stir in New York, she is still a rookie who has not yet been proven in the secondary market.

It was a position where I had to prove my potential for a long time.

But why is Bloomberg talking about meeting me and giving me a chance?

This isn’t an opportunity created by Whitney’s breath.

Even Whitney said that the only thing she could do was to arrange the meeting.

“New York is a city of immigrants. Even now, 40% of the population is made up of immigrants. The number of languages ​​spoken in this city alone is enormous.”

Bloomberg shrugged.

“The reason they flock to New York is because they think it’s the land of opportunity. I have no intention of crushing their dreams while I’m mayor.”

“Are you giving me a chance because I seem like an immigrant with an American dream?”

Bloomberg Markets laughed out loud at those words.

“Oh my god. Soo-hyun! I have clear standards, too. But rather than explaining those, I think it would be better to tell you something else right now.”

Bloomberg said, leaning his elbows on the table.

“As you may have heard from Whitney, this year we plan to support and implement 300 arts projects in New York City.”

“yes.”

“The scale of each project varies. From permanent exhibitions in cafes or parks to creating landmarks in front of buildings, the nature, duration, and cost of each project are all different.”

Bloomberg continued, tapping the table with one hand.

“So, I want to say that it’s not yet time to be suspicious or excited. If the project you bring isn’t very appealing, you’ll be given a very small budget, and it’s something you and your friends can handle without much difficulty. If it’s not for you at all, you might be eliminated.”

It seems like he already knows Soo-hyun’s position and his relationships with the people around him.

But Soo-hyeon wasn’t surprised and waited for the next words.

“But on the other hand, if you bring something great, I will not spare my support. New York is a city that always needs change and growth, and if it helps that, I will do whatever it takes.”

“yes…….”

“So, all I’m saying now is to tell Soo-hyun to stand at the starting line. I’m asking her to show me how far she can run.”

“I understood.”

Su-hyeon nodded.

In the end, it means that you have to prove your skills properly.

However, if you can prove it properly, it was a promise that we would not spare support so that you could create results on a scale that could not be easily achieved by any other means and so that you could rise to the top of the New York art world in one go.

For an ordinary artist, this would have been a complicated matter, but fortunately, Soo-Hyeon had a strong will and sparks of inspiration that would not waver under the conditions.

“I think it would be good if Su-hyeon came up with a plan for something like the bike stand design I was talking about earlier.”

Su-hyeon shook her head at Mayor Bloomberg’s suggestion.

“That would be good, but when it comes to public art, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”

Su-hyeon smiled brightly.

Now it was Soo-hyeon’s turn to start telling the story.