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Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Abu Dhabi hosts first joint exhibition of Korean art with SeMA
'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits' introduces modern and contemporary Korean art to UAE with narrative that resonates across cultures ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Seeing familiar artwork presented in a novel manner, in a different context and a different environment, might be what is needed to awaken one to new possibilities and stimulate new thinking. 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Ciruits,' an exhibition of modern and contemporary Korean art running at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, UAE, through June 30, succeeds in doing just that. The exhibition, co-organized by Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and presented as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, is a thoughtfully curated show of works by some of the best-known modern and contemporary Korean artists today, flown nearly 7,000 kilometers and assembled in a new way. The exhibition's co-curators, SeMa curator Yeo Kyung-hwan and UK-based curator Maya El Khalil, have created a narrative that is both fresh and thought-provoking. The Abu Dhabi exhibition is inspired by the SeMA exhibition 'At the End of the World Split Endlessly,' curated by Yeo, which revisited modern and contemporary Korean works in the city museum's collection last year. For "Layered Medium," the co-curators added several works that were not in the Seoul exhibition with the aim of easing visitors into Korea's modern and contemporary art. The new arrangement of the works and the scenography by Formafantasma, a Milan- and Rotterdam-based design studio, enrich the exhibition experience for those newly introduced to the works and perhaps even more so for those already familiar with them. The exhibition, whose title borrows from a statement by video art pioneer Paik Nam-june, opens with the artist's 'Self-Portrait Dharma Wheel' (1998) and an archive table showing how artistic innovations of the 1960s and 1970s occurred alongside Korea's economic and political developments, and how Korea's growing connection to a wider world shapes artistic practice today. Also shown in this first section, 'Open(ing) Circuits,' is Paik's 'Moon is the Oldest TV' (1965-1976) that links looking at the moon, an ancient practice, to contemporary screen-watching. Works by Kim Ku-lim, one of the first Korean artists to utilize electricity and light in challenging artistic conventions, are another important addition to the exhibition, giving a fuller account of the development of modern and contemporary art of Korea. A piece notable for the absence of the body, 'Method of Drawing' by Lee Kun-young, marks the start of the next section, 'Body as Medium.' The body is used as the medium, the paintings display the movements, and the negative space created results in an unintended figurative image, the artist said of the series begun in 1976. Lee Bul's 2006 work, 'Untitled (Crystal Figure),' gets a space of its own where 'feminine' materials such as crystals sparkle as they outline a female form, questioning how female bodies have been represented and understood. The question of how contexts influence cultural translation is the subject of 'Society as Medium' section. 'Under the Sky of Happiness' (2013) by Hong Young-in draws many young women visitors, according to a docent, who discover several historical women figures for the first time. Depicting Korean women hailed for being the 'first woman' in their respective fields, the work brings to the fore the marginalized history of women through embroidery, a practice that is often associated with low-wage labor. Background knowledge of the work — it reimagines a 1974 film about Korean laborers stranded in Sakhalin after World War II, replacing the male protagonists with female pioneers — is not necessary to appreciate the modern history of women in Korea. Three video works by Jun So-jung — 'Early Arrival of Future' (2015), 'Eclipse' (2020) and 'Green Screen' (2021) — explore the state of division of the Korean Peninsula. 'Early Arrival of Future' depicts two pianists, one a North Korean defector and the other a South Korean, as they collaborate in performing popular works from the two countries divided by the Demilitarized Zone. 'Eclipse,' meanwhile, juxtaposes the North Korean version of the ancient 12-string Korean instrument gayageum and the harp, an ancient Western instrument. The 21-string North Korean gayageum was created so that it may be used to perform Western music. The irony of the primordial forests of the Demilitarized Zone, the most heavily fortified border in the world, will not be lost on those watching "Green Screen.' An installation that may not be easily understood by non-Korean audiences is Bahc Yi-so's 'The UN Tower' (1997). An addition to the Abu Dhabi exhibition, the installation reconstructs the pedestal of a nonexistent monument — an image familiar to the Korean audience who have seen it on matchboxes once ubiquitous in Korean homes. 'We included this work because it articulates the impossibility of true cultural translation,' El Khalil says in the curatorial statement. While some works may be impossible to translate across different cultural contexts, on display in the last section "Space as Medium," Yang Hae-gue's 'Yes-I=Know-Screen' (2007), a set of 10 wood screens with wooden lattices that challenges boundaries between artworks, inside and outside, has resonated with the audiences here. Visitors often comment on the similarities between the lattice patterns and patterns found in Islamic art, said ADMAF Executive Director Michel Gemayel. The experience of attempting to extract similarities in the unfamiliar is a universal one. The exhibition ends on a positive note for cross-cultural translation and comprehension. The last work in the exhibition, 'Dancing Ladders' (2022) by Kwon Byung-jun, has visitors linger in front of the slow-moving inverted robotic ladders. The feeling of being stuck in the arduous condition the work depicts and elicits in viewers is a sentiment easily shared by people everywhere living in today's hyperconnected, globalized world.
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Open Circuits' in Abu Dhabi explores curatorial collaboration
The exhibition 'Layered Medium: We Are In Open Circuits' runs through Monday Collaborating on an exhibition sometimes poses challenges, as it requires constant communication and research until the curators succeed in drawing a visual narrative together. The metaphor 'open circuits' in the exhibition 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits' embodies not only the content of the exhibition itself but the process of co-curation. The exhibition, which is on view at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, is the first-ever exhibition in the Middle East to comprehensively show Korean art spanning from the 1960s to the present. It was co-curated by UK-based independent curator Maya El Khalil and Yeo Kyung-hwan of the Seoul Museum of Art. 'Creating a meaningful dialogue between curators from two countries required considerable time -- it took over a year and a half for us to evolve our genuine dialogue between perspectives and visions into the exhibition,' El Khalil said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. The collaborative process itself mirrored the exhibition's central concept of "open circuits,' she said. Inspired by a 1965 statement by Korean-born video art founder Paik Nam-june that says, 'we are in open circuits,' the exhibition shows how Korean contemporary art can be interpreted in different contexts depending on the viewers, curators and the region. 'We focused on how artists have used shifts in artistic mediums to reflect on the changes that happened to them, and how they used art, new technology and innovations across media and form to process and synthesize those changes. 'Visitors appreciate that these aren't just Korean stories, but shared contemporary experiences,' El Khalil said. Yeo said working with El Khalil triggered a change in perspectives for co-curation, which she had considered 'almost impossible.' The exhibition in Abu Dhabi evolved from an exhibition in Seoul held last year, titled 'SeMA Omnibus: At the End of the World Split Endlessly," which reexamined the museum's collection. 'The original concept and exhibition were renewed and revisited for our current exhibition as a result of my co-curation with Maya El Khalil,' Yeo said. 'The exhibition is a form of storytelling, highlighting how different generations of artists responded to key moments in Korea's political and cultural history. 'By framing this in a non-linear, conceptual way, we offer audiences in Abu Dhabi a deeper understanding of how Korean avant-garde art was shaped by and continues to shape larger global narratives,' she said. Forty-eight works in the exhibition include those by artists who have recently garnered global attention -- such as Lee Bul, Yang Hae-gue, Lee Kun-yong, Chung Seo-young and Kang Seok-yeong -- demonstrating how Korean contemporary art has continuously renewed itself in a changing world. 'This mirrors the dynamic cultural identity of Abu Dhabi, where the traditions of the past and the drive for innovation coexist, highlighting that we are standing within an open circuit,' Yeo added. A companion exhibition, 'Intense Proximities,' will take place in December at Seoul Museum of Art, featuring a collection from Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, the co-organizer of the Abu Dhabi exhibition along with SeMA, as well as other significant works by UAE-based practitioners. 'For the past decade, the focus of the Seoul Museum of Art's international exchanges has primarily been with non-Western regions, such as Asia, the Middle East and South America. We are no longer concerned with following the Western art flow or its historical canon,' Yeo said. She continued: 'Rather, our focus lies in the recognition of art as one of many diverse branches, with increasing attention to the historical and cultural 'glocal' context that shapes each region's unique identity.' El Khalil suggests art serves as a 'crucial interface' for processing and relating to the changing world on different scales, and as a curator, she believes she creates frameworks that allow audiences to encounter shared experiences. 'It's about dialogue and opening circuits of meaning rather than simply presenting objects or delivering predetermined messages,' she said of her curatorial philosophy. 'In our increasingly complex world, fraught with technological, social, geopolitical and urban change, art shows us that we're not passive observers but always active participants creating meaning and connection,' she added.
Al Etihad
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi turns down the heat with snow parks and artistic adventures
18 June 2025 00:14 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)As temperatures climb in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is embracing summer with a refreshing wave of indoor experiences. From cutting-edge art experiences and oceanic wonders to sports havens and adrenaline-packed theme parks, the capital is brimming with places that offer cool relief and creative energy all summer long. Arts, Culture & EntertainmentAt the Cultural Foundation, visitors can immerse themselves in Malaysia's vibrant contemporary art scene through "To Know Malaysia is to Love Malaysia: Highlights from the AFK Collection", running until September 10. The exhibition offers a rich view into Malaysia's creative independence and artistic evolution. Running alongside it is "Maitha Abdalla: Between Metamorphosis and Reality", showcasing a mix of paintings and sculptures until August families, the long-running "Crafts and Play" exhibit, open until June 25, invites children aged 3 to 12 to learn about Emirati weaving traditions through hands-on games centred on Al-Sadu, Talli, and Khoos Cultural Foundation's Children's Library adds to the family-friendly lineup with daily programming that fosters literacy and imagination. Regular favourites include Storytime, Baby & Me, and Maker Mums. Entry to the library and exhibitions is free, with select workshops requiring prior Cultural Foundation also offers a wide range of paid art classes in painting, ceramics, sewing, and design that cater to the creative minds of all town at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the Middle East debut of "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" opens on July 25 and runs through September 14. The exhibition brings the beloved franchise to life with original props, costumes, and interactive experiences for fans, young and on display is "Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits", a landmark collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art that explores the legacy of Korea's radical contemporary art art studio sessions also continue at Manarat Al Saadiyat, with a full schedule of workshops and drop-in classes for all age lovers can retreat into immersive spaces like teamLab Phenomena in Saadiyat Cultural District. This vast, multi-sensory art destination merges light, sound, and movement to produce artworks that shift and evolve with the Abu Dhabi is also offering plenty to keep visitors engaged - children enjoy free summer access, while general admission is 30% off online, excluding select seasonal can visit the Children's Museum's latest exhibition, "Picturing the Cosmos", a space-themed journey that explores how artists from different cultures interpret the older children and teens, the museum's ArtLab summer programme returns with multi-day workshops in July and August. Participants will explore ancient languages and symbolism, inspired by the story of the Tower of Babel, through collaborative, hands-on art July, the museum will unveil a new 30-minute virtual reality experience that allows guests to travel through time and visit historical empires, from Imperial Rome to Mughal WTC Abu Dhabi has launched a seven-month programme of weekly events and entertainment for all nights take over the public square every Tuesday evening with family-friendly screenings and free popcorn. Thursdays are for gamers, with a dedicated digital zone open from 2pm to 10pm, while Friday evenings feature live music and high-energy musical bingo. Saturdays kick off with morning fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, and is free with a same-day shopping receipt from the mall, and all children under 13 must be accompanied by an 421 Arts Campus in Mina Zayed hosts a contemporary art space with a roster of galleries, workshops and art shows. Housed in converted warehouses, it's both a platform for emerging talent and a welcoming place for community connection over coffee and conversation. Cool Escapes & High-Energy AdventuresIf thrill is what you're after, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi guarantees high-octane fun with the world's fastest rollercoaster, the planet's tallest loop ride, and over 40 record-breaking attractions. For something a little cooler, Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall brings the magic of winter to the desert. Designed as an "Enchanted Forest", the indoor snow park features over 20 rides and attractions, including a polar train, a magical carousel, and a soaring owl-themed ride, all wrapped in immersive marine-inspired magic, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, home to more than 46,000 creatures, offers cool encounters in its ten themed zones. Sharks, rays, and sea turtles are just the beginning, with the educational arm ready to welcome up to 50,000 students a short drive away, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi promises more aquatic adventures with eight immersive realms, 100+ animal encounters, 35 interactive rides, and roaming performances that merge education with Yas Mall launched a new Fitness & Wellness series, which runs until December. Held in the cool interiors of the Prayer Hall Corridor, classes like Pilates, Flex & Flow, Cardio & Core, and Full Body Fitness are led by local instructor Azza Al Mughairy and open to all levels with limited Sports City (ZSC) offers another summer option for indoor fitness lovers, featuring everything from boxing and futsal to tennis and early morning refreshing ice-skating rink offers the perfect escape from the summer heat, complemented by a massive 40-lane bowling centre and the city's largest billiards and snooker hall. It also caters to niche and regional interests, with spaces for hurling, camogie, and Ultimate Frisbee. And if you're in the mood for a relaxed outdoor stroll without breaking a sweat, head to the UAE's first-ever air-conditioned pedestrian walkway in Al Nahyan. Opened by the Department of Municipalities and Transport in late 2024, the path stays at a breezy 24°C year-round thanks to underground cooling systems, heat-filtering roofing, and sound-muffling walls. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Which exhibition will pique RM's interest?
Korean art world keeps eyes on which exhibitions the celebrity will visit following his military discharge The art circle has been desperate for an opportunity to liven up the mood amid the Korean art market slump, and, at long last, here comes BTS' RM with the star power to create a buzz in the scene. RM, known as an avid art lover, was discharged from mandatory military service on Tuesday, and now many are interested in what his next move may be where the arts are concerned. Before joining the military, he was often spotted at exhibitions across the country. He collected art and donated to a museum. A photo on social media or a rumor of a visit to a certain exhibition often resulted in long lines at the museums and galleries as fans made visits, following their heartthrob. 'When he visited us, he would do so without giving us prior notice. He would quietly come to the gallery to see art when it is not too crowded,' said a gallerist in Seoul, adding that an influencer like RM is unprecedented in the art world. 'No other idol has fans like this — they seem quite serious about art. They do not simply come and take photographs. They purchase brochures and study the artists. It seems his fans consider art a way to get to know the celebrity better — his tastes and thoughts,' he said. The idol singer embarked on an art tour ahead of his discharge, posting a couple of photographs from his visit to Kukje Gallery in Seoul for the exhibition 'Next Painting: As We Are' that features young Korean painters and another show, 'A Faraway Today,' which both kicked off last week. 'He has shown quite a lot of interest in Korean art with in-depth knowledge. People often say there has been no influencer or celebrity who can bring such a big interest to an exhibition like RM. Many people in the art circle have been waiting for his discharge from military service,' said an official from an auction house. 'We do not think that his visits to exhibitions will directly lead to sales, but we expect that his comeback will definitely bring a fresh mood to the art scene that has been in a downturn,' he said. When RM uploaded a photo from the exhibition 'Kwon Jin Kyu Centennial: Angel of Atelier' at the Seoul Museum of Art in 2022, where a 45-centimeter-tall terracotta sculpture 'Horse" RM had collected was on display, the museum saw a huge influx of visitors, many of them RM's fans, according to the city-run museum. 'RM has contributed to the art scene by breaking the perception that art is something difficult and complex for the general audience,' said Han Hee-jean, curator from the Seoul Museum of Art. 'Even during his service in the military, RM visited the museum to see 'Turbulent Times: Women, Life, Art' last year.' Another gallerist in Seoul said that while she acknowledges that RM's influence in the Korean art scene has been huge, she was cautious to place too much anticipation on his activities bringing about a change in the arts sector. 'The art market consists of many layers and has different factors behind it. It would not be proper to say that a single celebrity could lead a revival of the art scene, but it is true that people are curious about what exhibitions he will visit from now on,' the gallerist said.
Korea Herald
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Mediacity Biennale to embrace the mystical in media art
The 13th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, scheduled to kick off on Aug. 26, will bring together 49 artists and collectives under the theme of 'Seance: Technology of Spirit." The term 'seance,' derived from French, refers to an attempt to communicate with spirits. The 13th edition of the biennale, running through Nov. 23 at the Seoul Museum of Art, or SeMA, will be led by Anton Vidokle, artist and founder of e-flux; Hallie Ayres, art historian and curator; and Lukas Brasiskis, curator of video and film at e-flux. The biennale will explore the influence of mystical and spiritual experience on the development of modern and contemporary art. 'It's very significant that many artists have in recent years gravitated towards ways of understanding the world that might offer an alternative to the prevailing systems, which seem at present to be in crisis,' said the curators. Starting with the artistic practice of British artist Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884), who achieved her first mediumistic drawings after attending her first seance in 1859, the exhibition will encompass the influence of shamanism on video art founder Paik Nam-june and German Fluxus artist Joseph Beuys, as well as transcendental experiences depicted in the early experimental films of American artists Maya Deren and Jordan Belson. The biennale will also feature works by contemporary artists engaged with the diverse traditions and themes of the occult, enchantment and magic. The Seoul Mediacity Biennale, launched in 2000 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, has earned international recognition for its experimental engagement with contemporaneous changes within the media landscape of the city, redefining what media is and can be.
