La Mer Beauty Salon | Film Set Posters
Lamer Hair Salon
Artist: Han Jong Sil
Year: 2003
Medium: Gyclee Print on art paper
Edition: of 20
Size: A3
Price: 120 EUR
ID: P002
Pyongyang Film Studio
The North Korean Film Studio was established in 1947. It built permanent sets to shoot pro-revolutionary films that were very much against the Japanese colonization of the country and the US presence in South Korea. Now, they are currently renovating the Pyongyang Film Studio.
Over the years, artists from the Pyongyang Film Studio were instructed to paint advertisements and hoardings to make the sets look realistic and to create a North Korean view of foreign street scenes.
The posters North Korean artists dreamt up as ‘imperialist advertising’ and previously used to make the streets more authentic are being removed.
La Mer Beauty Salon
Note the interesting aspects of this artwork.
The close-up of the woman’s face, especially focusing on her hair. Coloured hair is a foreign decadence. It is possible to dye hair black or hints of brown but nothing as shocking as red..! Her manicured eyebrows, and her perfect makeup. What’s more, she is shown bare-shouldered, rather provocatively, which is a clear no-no in DPRK.
In Pyongyang, hairdressers are promoted plainly with a simple sign bearing symbols of scissors and the like. The smaller text offers massage and wedding makeup.
The Text
Perhaps the large characters that form the word LA MER are actually the La Mer coveted skin cream produced nowadays by Estée Lauder. You might find out by going to the saloon in Seoul’s Myeongdong district or ringing them.
All are written at the base of the advert.
Oasis
Artist: Han Jong Sil
Year: 2003
Medium: Gyclee Print on art paper
Edition: of 20
Size: A3
Price: 120 EUR
ID: P001
Yakgodyo
Artist: Han Jong Sil
Year: 2003
Medium: Gyclee Print on art paper
Edition: of 20
Size: A3
Price: 120 EUR
ID: P006
Motel Drinks
Artist: Han Jong Sil
Year: 2003
Medium: Gyclee Print on art paper
Edition: of 20
Size: A3
Price: 120 EUR
ID: P008
Cafe
Artist: Han Jong Sil
Year: 2003
Medium: Gyclee Print on art paper
Edition: of 20
Size: A3
Price: 120 EUR
ID: P004
