As the art market sees gradual recovery after years of recession, Korean artists on the international art scene are matching their talents with major art institutions across the globe. Exhibits dedicated to showcasing contemporary Korean art and artists are opening in cities filled with art and culture like Venice and Basel.
Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale (June 4 – November 27, 2011)
The Korean Pavilion (www.korean-pavilion.or.kr) at the Venice Biennale held a preview on June 2. Promoted by the Arts Council Korea and conceived by Yun Cheagab, an independent curator, the exhibit features 14 works by media artist Lee Yongbaek under the theme “The Love is gone, but the Scar will heal.”
Lee, who is known for addressing social issues with religious and political themes, uses a variety of technologies in his work, from video installations to robotic sculptures. Currently on display at the Korean Pavilion is “Pieta,” two modern reinterpretations of the Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo, and “Angel Soldier,” a series of video performances of describing the march of a soldier disguised in flowers. “Broken Mirror,” is about the complex relationship between reality and illusion, inviting self-reassessment and reflection.
Lee Hyerim is featured at Glasstress 2011 (www.glasstress.org), a collateral event of the Venice Biennale, which focuses on the glass arts, while Lee Ufan is taking part in the group exhibition “The World Belongs to You” at Palazzo Grassi, organized by François Pinault Foundation. (left): Lee Hye Rim, Strawberry Garden, 2011, 3D animation (Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery)
The 54th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale will be open to the public from June 4 to November 27, under the theme “ILLUMInazioni (Illumination)." Under the direction of the Swiss curator and critic Bice Curiger, this year’s “Olympics of contemporary art” welcomes artists from 89 countries, marking it the biggest Biennale in its history. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.labiennale.org (English and Italian)
Haegue Yang solo exhibition at Modern Art Oxford (June 11 – September 4, 2011)
Haegue Yang, who represented Korea at the Venice Biennale two years ago, has continued to participate in group and solo exhibitions at some of the world’s most recognized art museums. Following her participation in “Your Bright Future: 12 Artists From Korea (2009)” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Yang held several solo exhibitions including “Voice and Wind (2010-11)” at New York’s New Museum and “Arrivals (2011)” at Kunsthaus Bregenz (www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at).
(left) Haegue Yang © 2009 Museum Associates/LACMA – Los Angeles County Museum of Art (right) Haegue Yang, Can Cosies – Brechbohnen 400g, 2011, cans with knitted covers, each 400g, knitting yarn Height: 11 cm, diameter: 10 cm, Installation variable, Photo © Nicolas Pelzer
Her first solo exhibit in the United Kingdom, “Teacher of Dance,” will take place at Modern Art Oxford. The exhibition presents a collection of abstract but harmonious constructions juxtaposed in a synthetic manner. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.modernartoxford.org.uk (English).
Art 42 Basel (June 15 – 19, 2011)
Every June, the small Swiss city of Basel welcomes art lovers and buyers from across the globe to Europe’s biggest contemporary art fair. Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries in 37 different countries. The Kukje Gallery (www.kukjegallery.com) is participating for the 13th time this year, including artworks by Rhee Kibong, Lee Ufan, Park Seobo and Haegue Yang.
Rhee Kibong, Edge of Sensorium, 2011, acrylic, plexiglas and mixed media on canvas, 162 x 172 cm; Façade of None, 2011, acrylic, plexiglas and mixed media on canvas, 109 x 103 cm, © Tina Kim Gallery, New York (Courtesy of Kukje Gallery)
Rhee Kibong, who is currently having a solo exhibition entitled “There is No Place” at the New York-based Tina Kim Gallery (www.tinakimgallery.com), has been particularly strong at art fairs, selling out several years in a row, leading to high expectations for this year.
Along with the retrospective “Lee Ufan: Marking Infinity,” starting on June 24 at the Guggenheim (www.guggenheim.org), a series of the artist’s meditative paintings will be on display at the Kukje Gallery’s booth.
A selection of artworks by an international cadre of renowned Korean artists, including Kimsooja and Lee Bul, will be also on view during this year’s Art Basel. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.artbasel.com (English).
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