Abstract

Jeju is an island formed by a volcanic eruption. The eruption timing and geographic environment of the explosion acted as the cause of the different compositions and characteristics of Jeju clay by region. Due to this environment, 70% of the total soil is composed of volcanic debris and 30% is composed of non-volcanic debris. Volcanic debris (volcanic ash soil), which accounts for 70%, refers to the formation of the rock fragments that formed the base of the volcano when the volcano erupted. These are classified into volcanic ash, volcanic rock mass, volcanic coal, and Scoria according to the size and shape of the particles. Volcanic debris becomes porous as the volcanic gas inside the lava escapes. At this time, red or black porous debris generated from basalt lava is called 'Scoria'. 'Songyi' means 'light stone' in the Jeju dialect. Scoria refers to volcanic debris with a diameter of 4mm or more that does not float in water although there are many pores. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) are about 75% of the total content, and most of the iron compounds contained in scoria are present in the form of hematite-based iron oxide. The colour of Scoria is divided into Redish-Brown, Yellow-Brown, Dark-Grey, and Black. Scoria has a low viscosity, high iron content, therefore Scoria is difficult to express in visual and sculptural language for artists who have to use clay due to the problem of firing temperature, using it as a raw material of clay.

Scoria(Songyi) with the lives of Jeju people for a long time. It is said that if Scoria(Songyi) powder to eat, the livestock does not get sick and the fur turns shiny, and if songy(Scoria) powder is added when growing orchids, the flowers bloom healthy and beautifully. In addition, the natural state of Scoria(Songyi) has a far-infarared raditionan rate of far-infrared radiation rate of 92% or more, which activates metabolism and has a good effect on the human body

We attempt to discourse the potential of raw material qualities that artists and research use characteristics of Scoria based on the critical perception of contemporary art. In other words this project to how Scoria can affect artists or researchers, in what meaning it comes, and how to expand it into humanities and aesthetic languages. Therefore this is a narrative about the meaning and value of the "clay” of nature that Jeju gives to humans.

In principle, artists and researchers gathered in Jeju and tried to proceed in the form of a residence program. But we sent the Scoria to the artists' home or studio and asked to take a video of the artwork and return it to us digitally as the project could bot physically happen due to COVID-19 restrictions. This project suggested a new art platform for artists to express and share their idea in virtual space.