Narrow-gauge train melts into its surroundings

Su-in Line was opened in 1937 in South Korea. Its narrow-gauge railway was shut down in 1995 and the younger generation barely know about it. However, older people have lots of memories about beautiful beach and saltern, where the train passed by. Moreover, its stops attracted many photographers for its aged and unique views.

Located in Su-in Line Memorial Park, Dispersion 1 is designed for restoring part of the narrow-gauge train at one end and melting into its surroundings at the other. Visitors can experience restored train from dispersed memories as well as the train in the memories melting into the park.

This gives people a new perception in space and time, who have its memory or not. They can guess the physical train size in history by walking through it. Whole parts are made of one material – stainless steel, which makes strong contrast to nature in park with reflection. By its surreal dispersing figure in the air, Dispersion 1 also provides visual rhythm and whimsy to surroundings.

Dispersion 2 is designed for restoring Su-in narrow-gauge train like Dispersion 1, but inside seats. This railway had about 900mm width and people have diverse memories of its narrow interior. The quality of railway and railbed was not good enough and riding was not comfortable at all. Standing passengers had experienced hard time from shaking. Besides, facing seats are so close to let one person walk through barely.

Dispersion 2 is restored one side of interior of narrow-gauge train and the other side is dispersed into the park. Visitors can experience its impressive narrowness. At the same time, sitting old woman’s figure brings up the past atmosphere. Through this, visitors can perceive the newly restored interior of narrow-gauge train from the past and the interior melting into the present at the same time. Demateriality and surreality from stainless steel will provide visual refreshment and amusement. As a part of a series with Dispersion 1, Dispersion 2 allows unity to environment of Su-in Line Memorial Park.

Info and images © Yong Ju Lee

Narrow-gauge train melts into its surroundings