Undressing the Jimjilbang 목욕탕 옷을 벗기는

From my memory I have redrawn the spatial layouts of the Jimjilbang's that I've visited so far. These drawings should be developed to include material and atmospheric qualities. They are certainly missing some naked Korean men. As a follow up to redrawing the wet spaces contained within the Jimjilbang I drew the sections that correspond to many of the spaces illustrated in the plans. By overlaying the drawing on the cityscape I'm trying to show the embedded nature of these contained spaces in the city's urban fabric. The Photograph represents the incredible opportunity that a view could offer, a connection to the city and the provision of a reference point for contemplation. 

Dragon Hill Jimjilbang 드래곤 힐 스파

A new cultural phenomenon, Jimjilbang's have taken off in past decade are surreal place to relax, socialise and have a snooze. Dragon Hill is an elaborately themed bath house taking motifs from all around the world and throwing them together in a tower. I'd seen some images before arriving and I was intrigued to see whether they were manifestations from a underlying cultural relationship with water. This was my first adventure into naked bathing with many men. A spiritual atmosphere was missing that I would normally associate with a bath house typology. There was not much there that I could associate with traditional Korean culture. Igloos, american Indians and Terrier dog water fountains were some of the most bizarre items. The price is great 12,000 won (£7) for twelve hours, I can see why citizens have adopted them as the best way to relax after the exhausting hours they put in at the work place. There was clearly a very unnerving aspect to the spaces and they were not calming, the smell of nail parlors, food counters and people smoking in the changing rooms meant a that I left feeling a little abused.