Knowing Joy Through Pain: Olga Lah’s Circuitous Path to Site-Specific Art

In Episode 10 of The Installation Art Podcast, we delve into the world of site-specific installation with award-winning artist Olga Lah. Prepare to be inspired as we uncover the intriguing life and work of this Korean-American artist based in Los Angeles, celebrated for her immersive, site-specific installations that redefine space and perception.

• Learn how Olga's path diverged from conventional norms, as she unveils her surprising trajectory from giving up her spot at Harvard, to attending Seminary and then deciding to become an artist.

• Take a peek at Lah’s early inspirations, secret hobbies and her childhood dream job.

• Reflect on the personal tragedies that profoundly shaped Olga's artistic identity, particularly the sudden loss of her mother, igniting a transformative journey towards self-expression and healing through art.

• Gain insight into Lah’s unique artistic process, where commonplace materials are transformed into immersive installations, and explore the challenges and triumphs of crafting site-specific artworks.

• Delve into the financial aspects of art-making, Lah’s experience with residencies, and her dream of creating a large-scale installation in a major museum.

The discussion also touches on the realities of being an independent artist and the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the art world.

Olga Lah is based in LA. You can check out her work on her website olgalah.com and on her Instagram @olgalah_studio https://www.instagram.com/olgalah_studio

If you are in St Paul, Minnesota, you can see Olga’s work in person at Olson Gallery in Bethel University, until April 21st, 2024.

00:00 Welcoming the Guest and Light-hearted Questions

02:31 Discovering the Artist's Childhood and Inspirations

05:10 The Impact of Personal Tragedy on Artistic Path

08:30 Transitioning to Art from Seminary Studies

12:04 Exploring Installation Art and Material Choices

20:45 Navigating the Challenges of Installation Art

30:20 Funding and Managing Large-Scale Art Projects

35:18 Reflecting on Residencies and the Journey Ahead

36:01 Exploring Art Residencies and Collaborative Projects

37:21 Navigating the Costs and Benefits of Art Residencies

38:18 The Challenge of Balancing Art and Daily Responsibilities

39:06 Highlighting a Major Installation Opportunity

42:51 Engaging Audiences with Tactile Art Experiences

43:58 The Dynamics of Installation Day

46:00 Adapting to Unplanned Installation Challenges

49:27 Balancing Motherhood and Artistic Pursuits

51:48 Project-Based Work and Future Aspirations

59:54 Dream Projects and the Value of Community Feedback

01:01:27 Advice for Emerging Installation Artists

Also mentioned in this episode:

Singles Inferno: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16283666/

Queer Eye: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7259746/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 | https://www.instagram.com/queereye

The Crown: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4786824/

Emily Dickinson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson

Connie Chung: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Chung

Harvard: https://www.harvard.edu/ | https://www.instagram.com/harvard/

Los Angeles County Museum of Art: https://www.lacma.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/lacma/

Do Ho Suh: https://www.instagram.com/dohosuhstudio/?hl=en

Choi Jeong Hwa: http://choijeonghwa.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/choijeonghwa_official/

Richard Serra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Serra

Tara Donovan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara_Donovan | https://www.instagram.com/tadodonovan/

Byron Kim: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Kim | https://www.instagram.com/skybluekite/

Jean Shin: https://jeanshin.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/jean.shin

John Wayne Airport: https://www.ocair.com/ | http://instagram.com/johnwayneair

Olson Gallery: https://www.bethel.edu/events/arts/galleries/exhibits/2024/the-widening-hold

Bethel University: https://www.bethel.edu/ | https://www.instagram.com/bethelumn

The Installation Art Podcast is a bi-weekly show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation.

The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and showing work that is site-specific, ephemeral, large scale or immersive.

Follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast to never miss a show.

Find us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

More information about the show and previous episodes: www.installationartpodcast.com

Your host Anastasia Parmson: www.anastasiaparmson.art | https://www.instagram.com/anastasiaparmson.art/

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