I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 182



Only Noblemtl

Episode 182. The Sign of Power (1)

Gallery J-House.

“Hey, who’s this girl? Oh my god!”

Jacqueline was startled when she absentmindedly flipped through a magazine, MoreArt, that a visitor was reading while resting on a bench.

“Would you like to see it?”

A visitor smiled and pointed to Moreart.

“Yes. Can I take a look for a moment?”

Jacqueline, who had apologized, picked up the Moreart on the table and held it up close to her eyes.

It was clear even after looking at it again.

The person smiling brightly in the photo is the girl I met and chatted with at my regular cafe in Soho a while ago.

It was not easy to distinguish the appearance of the Oriental, but that memorable smile was hard to forget.

Plus the style of the work.

“If it’s the sketches I saw that day, it’s definitely possible.”

The photo shows the artist and the work together, with a short description next to it. Just from the title, “New York’s Gaze,” I could tell that the owner of the work was the girl of that day.

Because the sketchbook that Jacqueline had borrowed was filled with drawings with the theme of ‘gaze’.

“This is a pity.”

However, it was unfortunate that the work could not be fully understood with just a small piece of information printed in a corner of the newsletter.

“Does anyone know?”

The visitor, who had been watching Jacqueline with amusement, asked,

“Yes. I thought you weren’t an ordinary student, but you’re doing something interesting.”

As Jacqueline smiled, the visitor who had checked the page her gaze had lingered on opened his mouth excitedly.

“Are you talking about these newbies? As expected, Jacqueline has a keen eye for detail!”

“yes?”

“I went to the Big Wave Art Fair. I went on the first day and twice more.”

“Oh my, is that so?”

“There were quite a few experimental works, but the most striking one was a group called Taylors. I mean, even the booth itself was fantastic. As you walk along the path, a small forest appears, and at some point, there are wavy arrows on both sides. Then you hear music, and if you look at them as if you are possessed, a sign appears telling you to cross a stepping stone bridge and enter another world.”

“Hoo.”

“Once you cross the stepping stones, you will see a fairly wide space inside, and that is Taylor’s booth. Each piece of work has its own unique character, and it really catches your eye. I looked around without realizing how much time had passed.”

“is it so?”

“I don’t know, but I think their works have already sold quite a bit. Even though they are unknown artists, there is something about them. A feeling that they can do it.”

Jacqueline nodded quietly.

New York Big Wave Art Fair.

I knew it was open a long time ago, but I still haven’t visited because I know the weight of my steps.

Since she became a celebrity dominating the New York art world, more and more eyes have been watching her every move.

Even casual greetings, questions, and meaningless remarks often resulted in snowballing rumors.

If you were to ignore what was said about you, you could just ignore it, but if a powerless new writer got involved, it would be a headache in many ways, so you had to be especially careful when moving around in official settings.

So, I was thinking of stopping by this art fair just before it closed. I had a rough idea of ​​the participating artists and their level, and I figured there weren’t any works that I had to buy urgently.

But then an interesting variable arose.

That variable made Jacqueline act based on emotion rather than reason for the first time in a long time.

“You can’t fully appreciate the work of art with such a small photo.”

Jacqueline smiled as she returned the newsletter to its original owner.

“I should go there sometime too.”

***

That afternoon, Taylor’s booth at the New York Big Wave Art Fair.

chuck.

Su-hyeon placed another completed block on top.

“hmm.”

On the pedestal stood several iconic New York buildings, each forming its own skyline.

It didn’t look exactly like the real thing.

But it was clear what had been created.

Because it accurately captured the atmosphere and emotion contained therein without copying the exterior as is.

That was the artist’s perspective, and the perspective of New York that Soo-hyun created.

“Not bad.”

The work is now about 90% complete.

The main frame and key points were built with blocks that Soo-Hyeon had planned and created in advance, but the flesh attached to them largely depended on the participation of the audience.

However, the direction of the work did not deviate significantly from Su-hyeon’s original plan.

The added coincidences actually expanded the field of vision and created a much more diverse and enormous world.

Blocks filled with memories of different times and different people.

A view of New York made up of them stacked one on top of the other.

At first glance, the work looked like a model of New York, but upon closer inspection, fragmented memories were embedded throughout, touching the heart.

Appreciating the changes in memory, in blocks that are emphasized and buried depending on the angle and light, was a unique charm of the work, and such deep interpretation created density.

More than anything, this work excited Su-hyeon.

“It’s completely different from when I just painted.”

A more authentic and immersive feeling than when painting with a brush on canvas.

Just like when he was a child, he would sit in the mud and happily knead the dirt, not even realizing that his face and clothes were getting messed up, and Su-hyeon was absorbed in his work without thinking.

It felt like I was drawing a picture with my whole body.

“It’s fun.”

Su-hyeon muttered.

The movement of people coming and going from the booth. Their voices made me realize that this was an art fair, but most of them forgot about it and were absorbed in their work.

I was enjoying each and every step of the process of completing the piece, checking the feeling when looking at it up close and from a distance, focusing on the details again, and naturally refining the overall flow.

and.

“I knew this would happen.”

A soft voice was heard behind Soo-hyun. Although it wasn’t very close, the voice struck Soo-hyun’s ears as he was deep in his own world.

“… … ?”

Swish-.

A large question mark appeared on Soo-hyun’s face as she turned around to see who the voice belonged to, and then slowly spread into a smile.

“Jacqueline!”

“nice to meet you?”

How could such a coincidence happen?

Su-hyeon shook her head with a face that said it was nonsense.

“I guess New York is smaller than I thought. How can we meet again like this?”

“A good piece of work called me. There is no such thing as coincidence.”

Jacqueline smiling brightly.

Then he quickly walked up to Su-hyeon’s work.

“Oh my. This is real.”

And Jacqueline shook her body and burst into laughter.

“Oh my god. Am I thinking right?”

It seemed like she knew what Jacqueline had caught. Soo-hyun smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. I was planning to visit you after this event anyway. I was inspired by the story of that day and ended up doing this piece.”

“Hmm.”

Jacqueline nods with a satisfied expression.

“It is an honor.”

“yes?”

“I was also very impressed by that day’s meeting. It was a shame that it was blurred. But I am honored that it was left behind as such a wonderful piece of work. And this is truly a wonderful piece of work.”

Su-hyeon’s face turned bright red.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

And then, at that moment, Soo-hyun felt the air in the booth change slightly.

Somehow, it felt like people were watching her and Jacqueline.

“Has the work been decided upon for sale?”

But Jacqueline spoke to Soo-hyun naturally as if she didn’t notice his gaze.

“Not yet. Actually, there were some people who showed interest, but I haven’t made up my mind yet. Above all, I haven’t finished the work yet.”

I smiled happily again at Soo-hyun’s answer.

“It’s great news for me that we met again and that my work hasn’t been sold yet.”

“yes?”

“Soohyun. I’m really interested in you as an artist and your work.”

“ah.”

“Once the piece is finished, I’d like to talk more about it.”

“I’m fine.”

Su-hyeon nodded.

Jacqueline looked at the work a bit more and asked some questions before leaving, and at that moment, the Taylors swarmed in.

“How did this happen?”

“uh?”

“Do you know Jacqueline? How?”

“How do you know?”

When Soo-Hyeon asked the question in a hurry that made her feel like she was out of breath, Taylors looked frustrated and beat their chests.

“How could you know? How could you not know Jacqueline?”

“uh?”

“Jacqueline is an unbelievable giant. She’s on a level that ordinary collectors and artists can’t even approach!”

“Yes, that Jacqueline from J-House, the best gallery in Soho!”

“Soho is the best?”

Su-hyeon tilted her head.

I knew she had a gallery in Soho, and I had received her business card, but I didn’t know the gallery’s status.

“Anyway, Jacqueline is not the type of person to act rashly. She used to discover new talents occasionally, but she only pays attention to them if it’s really an exceptional case.”

“Yes. It’s surprising that Jacqueline showed up at this art fair, but she came to our booth. And she even got to talk to you, Soo-hyun.”

“Oh, I regret it. I should have at least said hello. I should have at least tried to talk to you.”

Taylors are so excited that they can’t even contain their excitement.

Steve, who rarely gets excited,

It was the face mentioned above.

“They’re right. Jacqueline is a great figure who has made her mark on the New York art world. She knows everything from the modern artists who were active in the 60s to contemporary artists of today. She has a vast amount of knowledge and is very cultured. Honestly, she’s not the type of person who would come to a small art fair like this.”

“But I heard that many famous collectors and gallery staff also participated in this art fair. I heard that there were many famous people on the first day. Maria was like that last time.”

When Soo-hyeon asked again, the Taylors all shook their heads at the same time as if they had been tricked.

“Maria is not worth it.”

“Yes. Maria’s influence is considerable, but it can’t compare to Jacqueline’s.”

“There is no comparison. The world is different.”

To Su-hyeon, who still hadn’t fully grasped the situation, Taylors explained the major figures in the New York art world and their relationships.

Meanwhile, at a restaurant in Soho, Manhattan, New York.

“What? Jacqueline?”

Maria, who heard the news that Jacqueline had appeared at the New York Big Wave Art Fair from the eyes and ears planted in every corner, jumped up from her seat in excitement.

“Why is Jacqueline there?”

Maria was momentarily surprised by the unexpected news, but her eyes sparkled greedily.

“Anything special?”

“That’s right, he said he only looked around one place.”

“So, it was a visit with a clear purpose?”

“Yes, I see. You haven’t been interested in new artists for a long time. Then why would you show up at an art fair that’s just starting out and is full of new artists?”

“So, where did you look around?”

“that is.”

The person who had asked the news looked at Maria’s face and then opened his mouth.

“Coincidentally, Maria, he is the author you were interested in.”

“Who? Peter?”

“No. You know that Asian girl I met at Taylor’s booth?”

“iced coffee!”

Maria nodded as if she suddenly remembered.

“The artist who was working on the collage?”

“I think it’s almost finished now. I heard the work is pretty good.”

“Ha. Really?”

Maria twisted her lips.

“Is this going well?”

“uh?”

“If we do it right, we might be able to turn the tables on this.”

“how?”

“I’m saying that this could be an opportunity to wash away the stigma that has built up over time.”

Maria said, straightening her shoulders.

“What will Jacqueline say about the newcomers Maria said she would take? The tables have turned.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Right. This time, Maria, you’re the one who discovered the new person first, right?”

“Yeah. Jacqueline is trying to steal away the new artist Maria has her eye on? That Jacqueline? Jacqueline will start to get suspicious, and naturally, it will draw attention to Maria’s newly opened gallery. Oh, this is not the time. I should ask Frankie to find out more about that artist.”

Maria bursts into laughter with a face that looks happy just imagining it.

That was just a shallow idea that could be made because I didn’t know the relationship between Jacqueline and Soo-hyun.

And the last day of the art fair.

One by one, characters with expectations, favor, malice, and desperation gathered at Taylor’s booth.