My object is inspired by bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth historically used to protect precious belongings and symbolize good fortune and blessings. Before Western-style school bags became common, many Korean children carried their books wrapped in bojagi, and today it continues to be used for wrapping gifts and wedding dowries. As part of a long tradition of handcrafted textiles, bojagi embodies both practicality and care.
The design of my piece follows the traditional Korean patchwork technique, in which small fabric scraps are stitched together to create something both functional and beautiful. I reinterpreted this tradition by incorporating unconventional materials such as seaweed packaging, ramen noodles, teabags, and fabrics bridging cultural heritage with contemporary materials.
The project began with a simple observation: I had accumulated more than twenty packages of seaweed that I had brought from Korea to my dorm room and realized I would never finish them. Rather than throwing them away, I transformed the discarded packaging into the primary material of the work. This decision also reflects the tradition of bojagi, which was often made from leftover fabric scraps. By using found materials in both the wrapping cloth and the packaging, I connect the historical practice of resourcefulness with a contemporary approach to reuse.
Through this piece, I imagine people value their cultural heritage and embrace found materials as a meaningful part of everyday life. Using found materials is not only a practical act of reuse but also a way to preserve culture, tell stories, and express creativity across generations.