Won Ji Lim's Shifting Center Turns Counting Rituals Into a Pipe-Frame Playground

Won Ji Lim, a South Korean artist based in Chicago, has created Shifting Center (2026–ongoing), an interactive sculptural installation measuring approximately 9 × 9 × 6 feet. This piece invites visitors to engage in private rituals of control—such as counting, checking, and aligning objects—through physical activities. The installation features a modular framework resembling a jungle gym, constructed with metal pipes and connectors, designed for continuous reconfiguration as visitor interactions alter its spatial dynamics. Organic materials, like tightly woven hog casing, challenge structural order by stretching and drying, revealing the limitations of rigidity. Inside, a hand-woven square with a plumb bob illustrates the quest for balance, while transparent pockets hold archived thoughts that are photographed and returned, documenting the archiving process. A modified baseball rebounder, complete with a target graphic, numbered tags, and colored beads, translates actions of counting and memorizing into physical experiences. A staircase within the grid allows for varied perspectives of the installation. Lim’s handwritten notes and diagrams reflect her efforts to establish rules and navigate uncertainty. This mixed media work was featured in designboom's DIY submissions, edited by Christina Vergopoulou.