July 9th, 2022 was special, not only because it was ARMYs’ anniversary, but also because, on the same day, Google Street Galleries announced their collaboration with this 21st Century Pop Icon through Google Arts & Culture.
The seven of them chose 7 different places to open their street galleries, and each art piece was chosen with care. There are more than 5 art pieces for each member that showcase their different preference, thoughts, and personalities. But one thing they have in common is how all of them chose art that relates to their life as BTS members.
RM
In his street gallery, ‘La Corniche Near Monaco’ by Monet is a dear painting to RM. There are two reasons for this choice. One, RM wished all the happiness and peace to the ARMYs, just like the painting. And two, back on his 25th birthday, RM wrote a letter to his fans on a postcard with one of Monet’s paintings on the back of it. Based on how many times he has posted Monet’s picture, choosing this painting seems to cement his admiration for Monet.
JIN
When we visit Jin’s street gallery, two familiar paintings by Pieter Bruegel meet us. They are “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” and “The Fall of the Rebel Angels.” These paintings were in their “Blood, Sweat and Tears” music videos. In their Wings era, BTS talks about the battle between good and evil in one’s mind as a person reaches the beginning of adulthood. But for Jin, those battles don’t stop even after reaching adulthood. They are always there and a person has to constantly pick which side is winning in each situation. With this in mind, Jin hoped he could remind his fans how life is an endless battle of good and evil, and the final choice inevitably depends on us.
Credit: Google Arts & Culture
SUGA
It seems like SUGA is never beating the cat allegation. Right from the start, a painting by Jan Miel titled “Study of a Sleeping Cat” would catch our eyes. His caption, "Look, it’s a drawing of Me!” is the cherry on top. Not only accepting himself as a cat, but SUGA also admitted that BTS are seven adorable human beings, lovely like the cute cherubs in “Concert of Cherubs on Earth” by Wenceslaus Hollar.
J-HOPE
One of the perks of being a BTS member is that j-hope could easily help the children in need. Partnering with UNICEF, j-hope has taken his role as an ambassador to properly treat those in need— especially children. Starting dance at such a young age, he wants all of the children to have the opportunity like him, and pursue their dreams. That’s why he chose a painting of children playing on a field in a painting by Winslow Homer called “Snap the Whip.” With this painting, he hoped children all over the world could enjoy their childhood and play freely without the burden of the future on their shoulders.
JIMIN
During one of the year-end award ceremonies, Jimin got a special opportunity to perform a Buchaechum, which is a traditional dance using a fan. That’s why he chose a traditional fan as one of the art pieces for his street gallery. It was a hot topic during that time, as this dance is usually performed by female dancers, while Jimin danced with his male dance crew on the stage. It’s also a monumental moment as in one of the docufilms they released about that year, Jimin admitted how he felt relieved to be himself. It sets him free from the toxic masculinity mindset that led him to be someone superficial during their earlier years.
V
Though V didn’t particularly pick art that reminds him of his life as a BTS member, he displays some of the pictures he has taken in his street gallery. Photography has been his way of expressing things he couldn’t say in words, and throughout his career in BTS, it’s not rare for him to post lovely pictures of the members he has taken.
Credit: @BTS_twt
JUNG KOOK
Every artist has their muse, and for Jung Kook, his muse is the ARMY fandom and his band members. Especially his band members, who have held his hand through various difficulties and challenges. To portray this, he chose “Clasped Hands of Robert and Elizabeth Barret Browning” by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer. He truly believes that he has come this far because of his hyungs. Just like V, he also displays some of his own photographs in his street gallery.
As we didn’t want to spoil too much, that was the art that the BTS members have chosen that relates to their life as a BTS member. How about the artworks that they chose to represent themselves behind the spotlight? Visit their Street Galleries and have some fun!
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Written By: Ram
Edited By: Esma
Checked By: Shelley
