2008.11.1
For contemporary art fans, there is no better time to explore Seoul than now.
"Platform Seoul 2008," is in 12 different spaces in the capital city, including the old Seoul Station.
The festival, started three years ago by independent curator Kim Sun-jung, a daughter of founder and former Daewoo chairman Kim Woo-joong, is very experimental in nature. This year the show includes works by 43 artists, including leaders in the field of conceptual art. Featured artists include the late Salvador Dali, Dan Graham, Martin Creed and Tino Sehgal.
The theme of this year`s festival is "I have nothing to say and I am saying it," taken from American composer and author John Cages` 1961 book "Silence." In terms of the festival, "It can be interpreted as `I have nothing to show and I am showing it,`" said Kim Sun-jung.
The entries in the festival are not just to look at. They offer a sensory experience and invite viewers to become participants to complete the works.
One notable thing about the festival is the way the individual exhibitions bring together imagery, sound, light, dance and theater, all of which interact with the time and space in each venue.
The displays in the old Seoul Station, for example, reflect the special historical and socio-cultural context of the building. The station is slated for remodeling next year, so this will be the last chance to see its original interior.
Yun Dong-koo installed a streamline-shaped structure of semitransparent netting with twinkling golden particles, which continuously rotates and moves up and down.
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| Martin Creed, "Work No.965, Half the Air in a Given Space," 2008 |
"It implies that time still goes by within this station that has been put to a stop," explained a guide at Seoul Station.
In "Bird`s Eye View," Ham Yang-ah shows a brand new view of Seoul Station through a video filmed by a micro camera, which she attached to a pigeon`s body. Ham focused on the fact that pigeons always gather near the station.
Janet Cardiff, a German artist, installed 40 speakers in a room that was once a popular restaurant. Each speaker plays a separate voice.
Also a performance, "Great Journey of Princess Bari 2008" by Musical Theater Baramgot is performed at the station every Wednesday through Saturday. The traditional mythic tale of Princess Baridegi is showcased in a modern fashion with music, dance, installations and multimedia.
The festival is also in full bloom at Sagan-dong and Dongsung-dong in Jongno-gu.
An interesting maze is prepared at Artsonje Center. Jeppe Hein, a German artist, created his "Invisible Labyrinth" with no physical walls. Visitors must wear a headset which is available at the entrance. The headset guides the wearer through the labyrinth by vibrating when he or she heads the wrong way.
Nearby in Kukje Gallery, Surasi Kusolwong, a Thai artist, is holding a performance, "Golden Chance." Kusolwong hides gold necklaces here and there in the building and asks visitors to find them. Those who find any actually get to keep them. His performance aims to get audiences to participate in his work and enjoy it. When The Korea Herald visited, some participants found the necklaces and took them home.
An eye-catching show awaits visitors at doART Seoul where a Chinese artist Xu Zhen performs "In Just a Blink of an Eye." A performer, supported by hidden apparatus inside his clothes, is seen frozen in the act of falling backwards. Move closer and viewers can see that not everything is frozen, the performer`s eyes, which slowly close and open.
Children will favor Martin Creed`s "Work No. 965, Half the Air in a Given Space" at Gallery SUN contemporary. The English artist has filled half the space in the gallery with purple balloons. Visitors are welcomed to jump into this balloon pool and enjoy the bouncy atmosphere.
A guided tour is available at all exhibition Locations. It is definitely recommended in the case of the old Seoul Station, where the guide not only introduces the artwork but also surprises visitors by performing Tino Sehgal`s work "This is about" on the way.
The festival runs through Nov. 23 at Artsonje Center, Gallery Yemac, Gallery SUN contemporary, Kukje Gallery, doART Seoul, PKM Gallery, Weibang Gallery, Songwon Art Center, ONE AND J. Gallery, GaGallery, Lock Museum, and the old Seoul Station in central Seoul.
Tickets are 6,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students at Artsonje Center and the old Seoul Station. The rest of the venues are admission-free. For detailed information, visit the festival website at www.platformseoul.org
By Park Min-young
(claire@heraldm.com)
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