NMOCA showcases artworks by Korean and Japanese artists during 2012 Nuclear Security Summit


While world leaders discuss the future of nuclear security during the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit, artists from Korea and Japan will express their opinions through a variety of art forms.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art invited seven Korean and three Japanese artists to share their views at the exhibition “Art Project 2012: Communion.” It will run from March 25-28 at the Media Center of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit set up at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

Participating Korean artists include Lyu Jae-Ha, Lee Sea Hyun, Yeesookyung, Lee Yong-Baek, Chung chupha, Han Sungpil, Ham Kyungah; and Japanese artists Fumiko Kobayashi, Ono Tadashi and Tsubaki Noboru with Ultra Factory.

“The ‘Art Project 2012: Communion’ exhibition has been planned as an exploration of artists’ awareness of nuclear issues and the artistic methods which can be helpful in seeking international cooperation for peace and in protecting humanity from the dangers of nuclear power, such as destruction of the natural environment and the threat of terrorism,” the organizers said in a statement.

A total of 30 exhibits exploring a wide range of art genres including paintings, sculptures, media art, photography and even embroidery will be on display. Each work ponders the issues of the environment, peace and regeneration in its own unique way. 

Artist Lee Yong-baek, who represented Korea in 2011 Venice Art Biennale, will showcase a piece from his representative “Angel Soldier” series which has been made into many media such as videos, installations, performances and photos.

This time it will be in the form of a video work, featuring Korean soldiers who the artist considers a symbol of the divided Korean Peninsula. The twist in his work is the colorful flower bed ― generally interpreted as a reconciliatory message ― on which the soldiers rest.

The reconciliatory act in Ham Kyungah’s work is more daring. She sent the images she created with computer graphics to embroidery artisans in North Korea through an unofficial channel, requesting the graphics be transformed into embroidery works.

The completed works were delivered to Ham but distorted and cut after passing the N.K. government’s inspection. Of the resulting eight-piece series titled “Needling Whisper, Needle Country,” two works ― “Some Diorama” and “I’m Sorry” which each express fear about nuclear terrorism and the will to overcome the fear ― are on display.

Yeesookyung, another Korean artist, will direct an exorcism event on March 26, which will be performed by Lee Jeong-hwa, the title holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 27, and by a four-man musician group. 

Japanese artist Tsubaki Noboru with Ultra Factory is showcasing VITALFOOT, a specially designed bicycle made of recycled goods. The group is among many artists in Japan who started to ponder their roles in society after the deadly quake hit Japan last year.

The group made the bicycle all by hand using as few materials as possible. A little cart is tagged onto the bicycle to carry relief goods.

Photographer Ono Tadashi showcases the landscape of Japan’s Tohoku region which was engulfed by the 2011 tsunami. The serenity of the land and the debris captured in Tadashi’s artless photos amplifies the sorrow and loss of the region.

The exhibition will be open to the representatives who will participate in the summit from March 25 to 27, and open to the public on March 28. For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldcorp.com)