I Became A Renowned Genius At My Arts High School - Chapter 183



Only Noblemtl

Episode 183. The Sign of Power (2)

Love locks hanging on the top of Namsan Mountain, and graffiti scribbled haphazardly on the walls of university pubs.

Pieces filled with the emotions of the moment bring a smile to the faces of even strangers. This is because empathy is achieved.

An encounter with things that I had also experienced, but had forgotten about and lived with, and that had somehow become distant. That happy and vague encounter suddenly brings back emotions that I thought had disappeared, sending waves through my heart.

Su-Hyeon’s work, ‘New York’s Gaze’, also touched on such deep emotions.

“good night.”

A work completed in time for the closing ceremony.

Su-hyeon nodded while doing a final check from a little distance away.

The little New York built on a pedestal was made of various blocks like Lego, except that no two blocks were the same.

The participants’ memories and Su-hyeon’s intentions were mixed together to create a picture of a chaotic era, and it conveyed a deep emotion that could not be captured in a few lines of a critic’s review.

Swish-.

Su-hyeon slightly twisted the angle of one block.

Parts that were prone to breaking were fixed with adhesive, but parts that needed to be changed were temporarily fixed with tape using a transparent belt, allowing for detailed modifications.

fault.

The block that was taken away had a window drawn on it. Inside the window, a middle-aged woman was sitting with her chin resting on the table, her gaze very empty. And the place where her gaze was directed was the window of another building.

Likewise, there was a person inside the window, this time a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties.

The face of someone hurriedly preparing to leave, perhaps late for an important appointment, was very flushed. Then, following the woman’s gaze again, this time I saw the window of an old woman with gray hair.

He bent and straightened his knees, moved his body slightly left and right, and focused on Soo-hyun’s gaze.

If you look closely, the gazes of the drawn figures point to another person.

Because the direction and target change depending on the order and position of the blocks, the number of stories that can unfold is endless.

Of course, the author’s intentions are secretly hidden and only some discerning viewers can perceive them.

“Is this better?”

Oh, and it had to include artists with good eyes, especially artists like Steve who have been consistently interested in Su-hyeon’s work.

“okay?”

Soo-hyun turned around and looked at Steve.

“It feels like a woman’s life. It feels like looking at the past from the present, and then looking at the distant future. It’s a story about a protagonist who came to the city with a dream but experienced bitterness, looking back on the past, gaining strength again, continuing to challenge, and bearing beautiful fruit in the distant future?”

“Haha. You have a good imagination.”

“Well, I don’t know what other people would think of the story, but that’s the story that came to my mind. Oh, and the story of the male protagonist on the other side was also interesting.”

“Yeah. Let’s leave it like this, and try changing positions once in a while. Even if you mix men and women, their eyes can meet properly.”

“Yes. Since there are many cases, it can be expanded in any way. People who find out about this will find it very interesting. It will also feel like time travel.”

“thank you.”

My heart was pounding.

The work was interesting enough to watch even without knowing its meaning.

The participation of the general public made it more lively. However, if you realize the essence of the work, the fun can be multiplied several times.

I wonder how many people will notice the signal.

Su-hyeon’s interest was completely focused on that.

So, at this moment, the approach of visitors with other purposes was no different from a swarm of annoying flies to Soo-hyun.

Even if the conditions were very harsh.

***

At the same time, at the Big Wave Art Fair in New York, at a tent cafe.

“That’s right. That’s what Maria’s Gallery aims to do. Discovering promising new talent and giving them a fair chance. That way, more people can enjoy great works. How about it? Just thinking about it makes you feel excited?”

Maria was speaking repeatedly, especially emphasizing the words ‘Mary’s Gallery’.

“That’s a really exciting vision. So when do you plan on opening the gallery?”

“We’ve been preparing for it for a long time, so there’s no problem opening it right away. After much deliberation, we’ve finally purchased the building to be used as a gallery, and now we just need to finish the interior in a month or two. However.”

Maria interrupted with a charming smile.

“There is a newcomer I would like to introduce in particular, so I am thinking about that.”

“Are you a special newcomer?”

The reporter sitting across from Maria, who was diligently taking notes, opened his eyes wide and asked.

Thomas, a veteran reporter who has been struggling and rolling around in the jungle-like New York art world.

As I gained experience over the years, I developed an eye for the subject, and naturally became more knowledgeable about not only the works but also the hands that move the market and their influence.

And judging by my sharp senses, this interview was not going to be just a simple promotional article or character exploration.

It was the snobbish Maria who requested the interview first and it felt like she was constantly leaking things.

At first, I tried to please her, but Maria gradually revealed her feelings.

“He’s right here on the scene. He’s the new guy I discovered.”

“Is this the New York Big Wave Art Fair?”

“Yes. She’s a really hot newcomer who’s only been in New York for a few months. She’s an Asian woman in her early 20s.”

Maria leaked some information that could identify Soo-Hyeon.

“Is there a reason why you became particularly interested in her?”

“I’m working on a very interesting project, a grand dream, a project that illuminates the time in New York.”

“What time is it in New York?”

“Yes. At first, I thought it was a unique collage work. It was a way of making a new image by gathering scattered images here and there. But as I watched, I realized that it was a collection of experiences and memories of people who lived in New York.”

Maria, who had been chatting excitedly, paused for a moment and frowned.

Frankie, who had been sent on an errand, was shaking his head with a look of despair from a distance.

“wait a minute?”

Maria gave the reporter a fake smile and stood up. Then, with a nod, she motioned for Frankie to come over.

“why?”

“Maria, I think it’s impossible.”

“what?”

“There were too many people.”

“what?”

“Everyone is on fire. Prices are also competitively rising.”

“What does that mean?”

After learning of Jacqueline’s movements, Maria moved faster than ever.

First, he called in reporters from an influential art magazine and told them about the gallery opening along with information about the new artists that would be introduced there, while also sneakily telling them Su-hyeon’s story.

It was calculated that if she emphasized that she was the artist she had chosen, there would be clear restrictions on Jacqueline’s future actions.

And to Frankie, who had been begging for a chance, he set a condition: to get confirmation on Soo-hyun’s whereabouts.

He told me to find a way to tie her down, even if it meant spending a lot of money to buy her work.

Now, Frankie was telling the story of how he couldn’t even do that easy errand.

“You’re raising the price? Is there an auction or something?”

“that is…….”

Frankie shook his head.

“I have a feeling that rumors have already spread that you and Jacqueline are both interested in a new writer.”

“what?”

“Collectors were crowding around the booth, trying to get each other to sell their work.”

“Really? You’re saying that everyone is attracted to that Soo-hyun guy?”

Maria asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Was Jacqueline there, by any chance?”

“No. I didn’t see it until I came out a little while ago.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

It was disconcerting, but it didn’t seem like it would be a bad thing. Falling from a higher place usually causes more impact.

As the board grew bigger and bigger, if Jacqueline approached the artist named Su-hyeon, the interest directed at Maria would surely increase.

So Maria was worried that Jacqueline would feel burdened by this situation and not show up.

“That kid, I saw him briefly, but he didn’t seem stupid. If there were that many people gathered around him, it wouldn’t be easy to make a decision, and his head would be very complicated. But just in case, if he seems to fall for the money, we’ll tell him that we’ll give him a little more.”

Frankie sighed deeply at Maria’s words.

“Money is not the issue.”

“What do you mean? Speak clearly.”

“I told you earlier. Everyone was on fire. There’s a reason for that. I told you it didn’t feel like they’d sell it even if you offered a lot of money.”

“what?”

As Maria tilted her head, Frankie relayed the atmosphere in Taylor’s booth that he had been observing just a moment ago.

“Tate and Len rushed over to me, and asked me what part of Soo-hyun’s work I found appealing.”

“What is the appeal of this work?”

“I want to sell it to someone who fully understands the work.”

“Understood? So?”

“Anyway, the words that came out like that weren’t bad answers. It was new, the idea of ​​attracting the general public was interesting, and I was collecting works based on New York. The reasons were also varied. But after hearing that, he shook his head.”

“Aha. That kid was really smart.”

Maria smiled faintly after hearing the whole story.

“uh?”

“She knows how to expand the board. Since Jacqueline and I showed interest and approached her, she must be trying to make the most of it. But since Jacqueline and I haven’t shown up at the booth yet, she’s saying that. She’s just talking like a fairy tale about selling to someone who recognizes the value of the work.”

Maria laughed out loud.

But the laughter stopped in less than an hour.

***

“Jacqueline. I thought you would appreciate this piece.”

Taylor’s booth.

The last day of the ten-day art fair had the largest number of visitors.

Su-hyeon declared that she would hand over her work, ‘New York’s Gaze’, to Jacqueline.

“It is a great pleasure for me to have encountered such a wonderful work.”

Jacqueline greeted him politely.

Up to this point, the ending was what Maria had expected.

I also thought that if Soo-hyun were to weigh Jacqueline and choose Jacqueline, the picture wouldn’t be so bad.

A rookie who reached out first.

If Jacqueline, who is famous for being stubborn, intercepts him, it will be a completely different action from what she has done so far.

Maria will definitely have to apologize for the criticism that she is only quick to pick up the new talents she has her eye on.

Maria slowly raised the corners of her lips.

“Oh my gosh, Jacqueline.”

And with strides, Maria walked onto the stage.

“Am I one step late?”

Maria asked, pretending to look sad.

“yes?”

When Soo-hyeon asked with a face that said she didn’t understand English, Maria held Soo-hyeon’s hand tightly and said.

“Do you remember? It’s me, Maria. I visited your booth early in the production and talked to you.”

“Ah. I remember.”

As Su-hyeon nodded, Maria slightly raised her chin.

“I knew as soon as I saw it. A great new talent had appeared. So I was watching. Just waiting for the work to be completed. I came running here because they said it would be completed in time for the closing ceremony, but, oh. I ended up losing the work.”

Maria cried out loud so that everyone could hear her.

Click. Click.

A little further away, the reporter who had just interviewed Maria was taking interesting pictures of the scene.

however.

“You mean your work was stolen?”

Soo-hyeon asked with a slight frown.

“Ha. Anyone who is interested in art fairs must know that I have shown great interest in you.”

Maria spoke as if urging him, then looked around at the Taylors members.

“Everyone here is a witness. They all saw me discover a new artist who had just arrived in New York. They all probably knew I was going to buy his work.”

“First?”

Soo-hyun asked again and shrugged her shoulders.

“I didn’t know there was a rule that said the works had to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. But even if that were the case, you wouldn’t be first, Maria.”

“What?”

Maria’s expression hardened for a moment.

This reaction was unexpected. So, at that moment, I was about to start thinking about it again.

“Jacqueline came first.”

Words fell out of Soo-Hyeon’s mouth like lightning.