In East Asian paintings, the concept of Yeobaek serves as a pictorial device that allows the phenomenon of a constantly changing "process" to be captured. Without incorporating Yeobaek, which represents the principles of space and time working together, it becomes challenging to depict the realization of this dynamic phenomenon on the canvas.(306)
The empty spaces (Yeobaek) serve as open windows that enable communication and flow. (306)
Empty space (Yeobaek) is never a static or stagnant space; it is a vibrant space imbued with the essence of vitality, characterized by "spatiality that encompasses temporality." It is a space that contains a sense of energy and dynamism.
Considering the concept that nothing is a fixed substance and is subject to constant change, when we examine the spatiality of empty space (Yeobaek), we find that it is never a static space. Instead, it is a space characterized by "spatiality that encompasses temporality," possessing a vibrant energy and dynamism. (315)
In East Asian thought, placing significance on what is unseen rather than what is seen is a common philosophical perspective. It acknowledges the importance of the invisible and intangible aspects of existence. This perspective recognizes that there are profound meanings and influences in the realm beyond what is directly visible or apparent, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the visible and invisible realms. It encourages a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subtle forces and underlying principles that shape our experiences and the world around us. (316)
empty space (Yeobaek) can be considered one of the greatest inventions in East Asian painting, serving as a visual language of silence and a sculptural form of breath (316)
‘The application of Yeo-Baek (‘void space’)’
‘The ineffability of Do’
‘Yeo-Baek or the void is something ‘depicted without the act of depicting’’
It is ‘never a fixed, stationary space, but one ‘of dynamic, ever-changing nature, filled with energy’’
Technique of Hong-Woon-Tak-Wol: leaving the moon itself untouched by only painting the surrounding space of the moon
‘The visually empty space in aesthetic sense becomes no longer ‘empty’’
‘Breezy, fluid, and open feelings to the painting, but also expresses the philosophical notion that each object is not separate from the space or other objects, and that everything, including the space, is all interconnected’