Van Gogh Reborn! - Chapter 54

People who entered the special exhibition room of the WH Art Museum opened their eyes wide.

Not only people who were familiar with art, but also those who weren’t that much interested, could not help but be surprised.

The special exhibition room was decorated with various props from the entrance.

A large cane-shaped candy, a cottage made of biscuits, and a chocolate waterfall were like the Witch’s House from the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.

Not only can you see it, but there were drinks that visitors could drink freely throughout the exhibition room. Kim Jiwoo, who has been to various exhibitions, was also puzzled.

“Can I eat this?”

“Yes.”

A visitor asked the employee, and the employee standing in front of the snack smiled and gave him a small wrapper with candy and chocolate.

He seemed to have chosen a snack that he could eat at a bite.

“Is exhibitions supposed to be like this?”

“I don’t know. This is my first time. I’ve never seen one before. Are the paintings on the next room?”

While Kim Jiwoo, who was looking around, visitors entered inside one after another.

Kim Jiwoo, who was hesitating because it was an unexpected concept, also hurriedly moved his feet.

“Ah.”

Kim Jiwoo, who entered the second room, was deeply impressed.

The interior was not decorated as splendidly as the previous room, but it felt more splendid with Ko Hun’s painting.

“What.?”

Kim Jiwoo just stood in front of the painting [Happiness].

The chocolate he ate as a Child was in that painting.

The chocolate texture, which seemed to have been drawn at once with a large brush, gave a sense of rhythm that seemed to flow down immediately.

“When did I last eat this chocolate?”

It reminded of the sweetness that melted gently in the mouth when he ate as a child.

Kim Jiwoo had stopped eating chocolate at at some point, but the joy of the childhood could be clearly felt while looking at the painting.

“I want to eat.”

Kim Jiwoo unwound the ribbon of the snack bag he had received earlier.

He took out a chocolate and put it in his mouth, but he couldn’t feel the taste in his memory that [Happiness] reminded him.

“Look at this, It’s so cute.”

“Yeah.”

Kim Jiwoo, who turned his head to the conversation he heard from the back, laughed.

It was a painting of two chocolates that were intertwined as if they were hugging each other and shaped like a heart.

He got flustered since he had expected paintings such as [Sunflower] and [Guest], but he thought he could enjoy this exhibition.

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

I tried to practice my prepared greeting, but it was useless.

I can’t concentrate because my heart kept pounding.

At that time grandpa entered the waiting room.

“Is there a lot of people grandpa?”

“Well, what’s the point of saying? It’s a mess. It’s a mess. Hahahah”

I can’t laugh after grandpa.

I was worried about what if no one comes, but I’m also nervous about too many people coming.

Anyway, it’s my first exhibition.

Over the past month, even if I try to watch TV or access the Internet, promotional videos of the exhibition was everywhere.

That might have created a lot of expectations.

Are there people who will buy my paintings?

Except for works to be auctioned off, I set the price with the help of grandpa and curator Bang.

I wanted to reduce the number of cases where someone couldn’t buy it even though they wanted to, since the price was too expensive.

‘Cheer up’

You’re loved, aren’t you?

Since the day I opened my eyes again in the hospital, there were people who wanted to buy my paintings, including Henry Marceau, Richard Phillips, and the masked man.

I should be more confident.

Knock, knock.

“Master Ko Hun, please get ready.”

It was time to go outside the door.

When I got up with a big breath, grandpa wrapped my cheeks with his hands.

I was waiting for him to say something, but he didn’t say anything and just rubbed my cheeks mercilessly.

“What’s wrong grandpa..?”

“Haha. It’s because you’re adorable. My Little Hun is so cute.”

“It hurts grandpa.”

Even if I try to run away from grandpa, I can’t do that since he’s so strong.

“You and your paintings will always be the best in my eyes.”

“……..Really?”

“Yes. Whose painting are they? Aren’t they the paintings of Ko Hun, the grandson Ko Sooyeol? Of course, it’s the best.”

Just because grandpa draws well, there is no guarantee that grandchild can draw well.

There was no basis for grandpa said.

However, it is also true that I felt a little relieved by his firm eyes and voice.

Seeing him cheer for me like this, calmed my throbbing heart.

“Aren’t you the best, Little Hun”

“Yes, grandpa.”

I said with a big smile, and Grandpa smiled broadly.

I opened the door and went out.

I broke up with my grandpa, who was headed to the guest room.

Guided by the employee I went to the place where Curator Bang Tae was waiting.

“I thought you’d be nervous. You’re brave Hun.”

“Now I can jump into the battlefield.”

When I showed my determination by clenching my fist, Bang Tae looked at me and laughed.

A lot of people have come.

It was the idea of Curator Bang, who filled the first room with real snacks and props, and decorated the second room and the third room with my works.

It was also a good idea to have a place to greet in between before everyone could enter the fourth room, which was filled with completely different style of painting.

Everyone can ventilate the lingering feeling of the second and third rooms, while wishing to see painting like [Sunflower] and [Guest] on the fourth floor.

The fourth room displays [Frosty wheat field] will feel different compared to the paintings in other two rooms.

“It all happened thanks to you Mr. Bang.”

“No, it’s all thanks to your paintings.”

Actually, I was surprised, too.

People from not only in Korea, but also from foreign countries visited my exhibition.

“They all came from Europe, Japan, America, Australia and by the way, the Rich bully Henry Marceau came too!”

I even wrote P.S. not to come, but I don’t know why he came.

Maybe I should use my fist straight away, strengthening my punch.

If he makes a fuss at my first exhibition, I’ll give him a double nosebleed this time.

“Everyone, Thank you for visiting our Museum today. Without any further adieu, I would like to welcome the main character of this exhibition, Artist Master Ko Hun to the stage. Please give a big round of applause.”

The host called my name, as I stood outside the door.

“Let’s go.”

When I went out with Bang, my heart started to beat fast at the loud applause I had ever received in my life.

If this continues my heart will burst.

I can’t even open my eyes properly due the lights of the camera flash.

I bowed my head and said hello.

I didn’t know how many people were there until the sound of the camera died down.

Aunt Mirae, Pierre Malo, Richard Phillips, grandpa Martin, Michelle Platini, Kevin McCauley, Kim Jiwoo, Lee Inho, and the Rich bully, all came.

There were people standing due to the shortage of seats, and people could also seen in the exhibition rooms 3 and 2 beyond them.

I’m glad the platform is high.

I swallowed my saliva and stood in front of the mic.

Fortunately, thanks to the practice in advance, I don’t have to be a laughing stock this time, for not being able to control the mic.

“Hello,”

Everyone clapped their hands again as I greeted politely with a big smile.

“Thank you for coming.”

I forgot what I had prepared.

My mind went blank, and I spoke whatever that came to my mind at that moment.

“I have promised grandpa that I would eat only one snack a day.”

Hmmm.

I didn’t say anything interesting, and I said something very important, but I don’t know why everyone is smiling.

“In front of the stand of the store, I was troubled every day. Which snack is the most delicious? What should I eat to make my day happy? There were so many kinds of snacks, and the opportunities were limited.”

Ugh.

When I turned my heads again, I could see the number of people smiling has increased.

I kept my mouth shut and frowned, I felt like crying.

Is it because there is no consensus with people of this era ?

I don’t know what wrong with them.

I just continued with my story.

“At some point I realized, I had so much fun choosing something. I was happy even when I had such a hard time selecting. I couldn’t believe that I could enjoy happiness with just 1,000 won.”

This time, everyone laughed out loud opening their mouth.

I stopped caring about everyone’s reaction and continued the story that I remembered

“It was like visiting an art museum. When I meet a painting of an unknown artist, at first, I only have a little courage to approach it. But when I take the first step and take a look at it, it will show me a new experience I have never felt, like choosing a chocolate you have never tasted before. The taste doesn’t matter, it’s the experience that gives the happiness. I hope my paintings will be a pleasant experience for you too. Thank you.”

“I’m having a great time”

Kim Jiwoo responded loudly as I bowed my head.

He seemed like as eccentric as always

The expressions of those clapping their hands also look happy.

That’s a relief.

“It was a cute greeting from Artist Ko Hun.”

The host dismissed my sincere greeting as cute.

“Before beginning the Q&A, I would like to ask everyone a favor. Artist Ko Hun believes that the paintings should speak for themselves. Even if he or she enjoyed the paintings contrary to the artist’s intention, it’s fine. We hope that the questioners would refrain from asking questions regarding the Artist’s intention behind a particular painting.”

The host mentioned the story that I had said to Bang Tae previously.

“Well then, Let’s get started. First…Hmm….the reporter with glasses.”

It was reporter Lee Inho.

“I’m Lee In-ho, a reporter for The Korean Express. When I look at the map given, there is an exhibition room 4 next to this place, and it seems to be covered with curtains. Is the work that Pierre Malo framed there?”

Lee Inho eys met with Pierre Malo’s, who was sitting with his hands lightly crossed.

Not understanding Korean, he shrugged his shoulders.

“Yes, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pierre Malo for giving me the frame. Merci Beaucoup”

After saying my thanks in French, I stood up and bowed my head.

“For your reference, exhibition room 4 will be revealed after the Q&A with artist Ko Hun.”

The host announced the order of the ceremony and pointed out the next person.

“Yes, the lively reporter in the back.”

It was Kim Jiwoo, who has been jumping and raising his hand since earlier.

“I’m Kim Jiwoo from Yehwa. Why did you specify the price below the picture?”

Bang Tae took the mic.

“I discussed it with the Artist Ko Hun. The WH Art Museum aims to trade transparent works. If we put it up for auction, they can get a higher price, but Ko Hun said it’s enough to get the price he set than to get more money.”

“Then will there be no auction this time?”

“No. There will be an auction. All works on display in the 4th exhibition hall will be auctioned off.”

Kim Jiwoo waved his hand again, but the host pointed out another person this time.

“Yes. The gentleman in the front,”

The person who stood up was a middle aged man.

“Tanaka Hirofumi. I’m an Art critic. To be frank, I’m a little disappointed. The works I saw didn’t seem like the work of a Genius, that the media had kept buzzing about, rather it felt like a play-house of a kid who wants to be a Shokalatier.”

‘Shoka….huh.?’