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Read All Over celebrates the bookworm in all of us, showcasing readers in Vancouver and the books they love most. |
| Susan Kang is a Korean-Canadian artist whose first solo show in Vancouver Paintings opens this Friday, May 4th at YACTAC Gallery. A woman of discerning taste, with a wide breadth of interests and knowledge, Susan is a bit of an enigma. As her Q&A reveals, she is both modest and private, darkly humorous and matter of fact - in sum, she's wicked fun to talk books and art with. Find out for yourself at her opening this Friday and don't tell her I told you her achilles' heel: extreme ticklishness. |
What's on your nightstand right now? Are you enjoying it?
I leave my books on different floors/sections of the house... Kafka’s The Castle near the bed, along with Murakami’s 1Q84, varieties of knitting books nearby, and amongst my to-read stacks from the library(and most urgently in need to be returned) are few pocket books and a copy of James Sallis’ novel The Killer is Dying. I loved his other book Drive, so I thought to pick up a copy. I’m just waiting for a right ‘mood’ to read that one.
I may get shot by other Murakami fans... But I’m not really enjoying 1Q84 all that much.
What is next on your list?
James Sallis’ The Killer is Dying. I’m not sure if I’m waiting for a right ‘moment’ to read or as much as I’ve enjoyed his previous book if I’m dreading it. Reading his Drive left me somewhat… pensive.
What is your preferred genre?
I don’t have a particular preference, but it seems to be that I’m reading fiction a lot. And when I read informational books they tend to be for practical reasons. I think I enjoy fiction more because I don’t enjoy the type of books where you can extract information so easily and ready. When I read academic and informative books I like them more when there is some room for myself to interpret the work presented.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Albert Camus.
What magazines/journals can you not live with.
Everything and nothing. I will read anything and everything from any and every source that piques my interest, or on current states of affairs I feel in need to be informed.
Photo Courtesy Susan Kang
What is the most cherished item in your library?
Several ink sticks. But out of them one in particular that is several hundred years old. It was given to me to use and holds a certain sentimental value. It’s tied to a work I’m interested in pursuing in the future as well.
But other than that - if you mean library as a collection of books rather than as a space that holds these collections - I don't really 'cherish' books: I’m an avid library user and I’ve given away books in the past. I don’t like to accumulate things. Although I am looking to purchase a book on ink sticks.
What books have influenced your life the most?
Lots. That list would be boring and informative.
Where is your favourite place to crack open a book in Vancouver?
Bed. I like the ritual of being able to end the day with at least a couple of pages turned in the comfort of my own warm bed.
Your life story is published tomorrow, the title is?
No. My life’s not that interesting and I would never publish it. However publishing collections of photo books would be interesting.
Photo courtesy Susan Kang
Susan Kang's Paintings will be on display at the YACTAC Gallery
