Hyundai Motor-National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Host 'Project Hashtag'... "Discovering Next-Generation Creators"

First Exhibition, Online Opening on the 24th of This Month on the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art YouTube Channel

Hyundai Motor Company and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) are hosting the first exhibition of the new concept contest program to discover next-generation creators, "Project Hashtag," titled "Project Hashtag (#) 2020." A panoramic view of the work by the selected team "Gangnam Bug" in this contest (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Hyundai Motor Company and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) announced on the 21st that they will hold the first exhibition of the contest program "Project Hashtag (PROJECT #)" to discover next-generation creators. Project Hashtag is an open creative platform that encourages the production of experimental works without restrictions on genre or theme, as part of a long-term sponsorship partnership between Hyundai Motor and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

The contest name utilizes special symbols such as the hash (#), well character (井), and social network service (SNS) notation, which are used diversely depending on country and generation, symbolizing the selection and support of promising talents across various fields. Since 2019, a total of 10 teams have been selected over five years, with two teams chosen annually, each receiving 30 million KRW in creative support funds and creative space. They are also given the opportunity to exhibit their project results at the MMCA Seoul.

Additionally, exchanges and mentoring opportunities with overseas art institutions and experts will be provided to support domestic next-generation creators in growing into global artists. Emphasizing collaboration, the program will also hold workshops together with Hyundai Motor Group’s open innovation platform ZER01NE.

The first contest held last year received 203 applications. Considering the impact of the proposals, the potential for collaboration expansion, and future development possibilities, two final teams were selected: "Gangnambug (GANGNAMBUG)," composed of designers, architects, and researchers, and "Seoul Queer Collective (SQC)." These teams proposed projects demonstrating the potential expansion of art based on specific regions, Gangnam and Jongno 3-ga, respectively.

Hyundai Motor Company and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) are hosting the first exhibition of the new concept contest program to discover next-generation creators, "Project Hashtag," titled "Project Hashtag (#) 2020." A panoramic view of the work by the team "Seoul Queer Collective," selected in this contest (Photo by Hyundai Motor Company)

Gangnambug views the Gangnam area, a symbol of South Korea’s economic development, as a kind of error (bug) and prepared a project observing major contemporary social issues in Korea through changes in Gangnam. They plan to present video works as well as audience participation events. Seoul Queer Collective focused on issues faced by minorities called "urban queers," such as homeless people displaced during the gentrification process in the Jongno 3-ga area and impoverished elderly residents of Tapgol Park. They plan to showcase seminars, publications, a website, and sound installation works.

This exhibition will open online on the MMCA YouTube channel on the 24th of this month at 4 p.m. for 30 minutes and will run until September 30.

A Hyundai Motor official said, "Since 2014, Hyundai Motor has continuously strived to contribute to the development of the domestic cultural and artistic community through its partnership with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. We hope that Project Hashtag, along with the MMCA Hyundai Motor Series, will become a representative program where next-generation creators can freely express progressive and experimental ideas."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.