INKYUNG WHANG

 Bachelard draws origin, myth, legend, reverie, dreams and memory out of our inner space and interpret them into dream geometry. He set them free from personal experience or psychological metaphor and let them extend to another dimension, in his term, dimension of intimacy or cosmic anthropological universe where we become detached as we get older.

 

 In my interpretation, Limestone cave and wondering around in it is a perfect form of visualising the dream geometry. Chemical weathering under acidic water over times, growing forms and expanding capacity of space little by little, it holds memory and legend. It becomes wonderer’s dwelling and shelter.  

 As for more intimate space, there are attics and stairs. An attic is the space between two ceilings as well as a reservoir for vanished memories. Stairs is the passageway from habitat to dreamer’s place. Probably it brings more imagination to me when it is “down the stairs” than it is “up to the stairs”. When it’s “down the stairs”, it draws less vertical movement in one’s sentiment and conveys more imagination.

 The third space is drawers, so-called hybrid objects by Bachelard. It is in-between space and object. Drawers are concealed container of memory and hidden space for intimacy. Then again, when it opens, the hidden space is not inside anymore. It opens to the outer space, so that the boundary between space and object truly blurs.

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 When memory and thoughts interact with space, it engraves another space into the space. It changes the elasticity of atmosphere in the space and evokes prehistoric memory and memory of sense. Then it becomes the beginning of one's creative mind.