Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Korean contemporary artists exhibit worldwide

Some of Korea’s best-known artists are showcasing their works in the world’s most prominent museums. Nam June Paik (Paik Nam June) and Haegue Yang (Yang Haegue) will be featured in solo exhibitions at the Tate Liverpool and New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.

Nam June Paik at Tate Liverpool and FACT

Tate Liverpool opened a retrospective exhibition of the works of Korean-American artist Nam June Paik (1932-2006) on December 17. The first major retrospective of Paik’s work since his death, the show originated at Düsseldorf's Museum Kunst Palast (www.smkp.de) in September 2010, before moving to the Tate. The Tate’s exhibition will run through March 13.

One of the pioneers of video and media art, Paik is considered one of 20th century’s most innovative and influential artists. The exhibition includes 90 pieces, many of which are being shown in the UK for the first time. The works include his iconic multimedia video instillations and robot sculptures, along with a rich selection of his early works.

Paik’s is the first solo retrospective celebrating an Asian artist to be held at the Tate, and is expected to draw lots of attention from British art lovers. It is also the first British exhibition in nearly twenty years to focus exclusively on Paik, who is more widely recognized in the German and American art scenes, where he was most active during his lifetime.

(left) Nam June Paik, Uncle, 1986 © Estate of Nam June Paik, Photo by Cal Kowal (right) Nam June Paik, Egg Grows, 1984 © Estate of Nam June Paik, © Kunstmuseum Wolfsberg

This comprehensive retrospective was initiated and designed in a joint collaboration between Tate Liverpool and Museum Kunst Palast. The Tate’s Korean-born curator, Lee Sook-kyung, worked with Museum Kunst Palast’s guest curator, Susanne Rennert, for two years to research and prepare the exhibition.

During the Tate’s exhibition, some of the most creative and “technological” works by Paik will be also on view at FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, Liverpool). FACT will also hold a symposium entitled “The Future is Now: Media Arts, Performance and Identity after Nam June Paik” on February 18 to examine Paik’s artistic legacy. The exhibitions and symposium are sponsored by Samsung, the Korea Foundation, Henry Moore Foundation, and the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation.

For more information, please visit the official website at: www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/namjunepaik/default.shtm (English)

"Voice and Wind: Haegue Yang" at the New Museum of Contemporary Art

The first New York solo exhibition by Haegue Yang (b. 1971), “Voice and Wind: Haegue Yang” is currently taking place at the New Museum of Contemporary Art from October 20, 2010 through January 23, 2011. One of the leading artists of her generation, Yang has participated in numerous exhibitions all over the world, but this is her first time exhibiting in New York.

“Voice and Wind: Haegue Yang,” will feature the artist’s installation work in the New Museum’s lobby gallery. “Series of Vulnerable Arrangements—Voice and Wind” and her other works on view were originally commissioned by the Korean Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale.

(left) Haegue Yang, Series of Vulnerable Arrangements—Voice and Wind, 2009. Aluminum frame, aluminum venetian blinds, industrial electric fans, scent emitters, dimensions variable (Courtesy of Galerie Barbara Wien, Berlin, and Kukje Gallery, Seoul. Photo: Pattara Chanruechachai) (right) Haegue Yang (Courtesy of the Arts Council Korea)

After receiving received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Seoul National University in 1994, Yang went to Germany to study at Städelschule Frankfurt. Currently based in Berlin, she actively exhibits her works to a worldwide audience.

In 2010, Yang also held a major solo exhibition at Art Sonje Center in Seoul, and will have her first Austrian solo exhibition, entitled “Arrivals,” at Kunstaus Bregenz (www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at) from January 22 to April 3.

For more information on the exhibition at the New Museum, please visit the official website at: ww.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/430 (English)

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