Special Exhibition for the 78th Anniversary of the Death of National Poet Yi Yuk-sa

On the 78th Anniversary of National Poet Yi Yuk-sa's (1904?1944) Martyrdom on the 16th, Special Exhibition "Yi Yuk-sa Works: The Forest Descended by Poetry" Held at Seongbuk-gu's 'Cultural Space Yi Yuk-sa' Featuring Five Sensory Experience Poems: "Hwanghon," "Jeoljeong," "Pacho," "Kkot," and "Biolga Baran Maeum"

Work 'Sigan Naerineun Sup - Jeoljeong'

Cultural Space Yi Yuk-sa

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Ahead of the 78th anniversary of the martyrdom of the national poet Yi Yuk-sa (1904?1944) on the 16th, there is growing interest in the special exhibition "Yi Yuk-sa Works Exhibition: The Forest Descended by Poetry" being held at the cultural space Yi Yuk-sa in Jongam-dong, Seongbuk-gu.

The unique aspect of "Yi Yuk-sa Works Exhibition: The Forest Descended by Poetry" is that it presents Yi Yuk-sa’s works, which reflect the harsh realities of colonial rule while engraving the spirit to overcome hardships with hope for the future, as a multi-sensory experiential exhibition.

Five representative poems?'Hwanghon (Twilight)', 'Jeoljeong (Climax)', 'Pacho (Banana Plant)', 'Kkot (Flower)', and 'Biolga Baran Maeum (The Heart That Waited for Viola)'?have been reinterpreted by artists from various fields such as contemporary art and sound art, giving birth to new works.

Contemporary artist Hong Jang-o reinterpreted 'Hwanghon' by embodying the poetic word ‘curtain’ with the soft imagery of twilight. Visitors experience a tactile sensation of parting the twilight curtain from the entrance of the exhibition hall. Among Yi Yuk-sa’s works, 'Jeoljeong', known for its most restrained language expressing the poet’s despair at the harsh reality, was also reinterpreted by him. By carving bare branches directly onto a plaster-coated wall, it depicts a winter tree standing alone in the cold, giving visitors a feeling as if they are watching Yi Yuk-sa and Shin Seok-cho taking a walk in the snow-covered Hongneung Arboretum on January 1, 1943.

Natural sound ASMRs that run through the exhibition theme?such as the crackling of a bonfire on an autumn evening, the sound of footsteps on winter snow, and the flowing of a stream in spring?were created by sound artist Kwak Jin-mu.

Additionally, incense containing natural scents like plum blossoms and charcoal gave visitors the sensation of being in a forest.

A visitor to the exhibition said, “It was very moving to experience Yi Yuk-sa’s poetry in such a unique way,” adding, “The poet’s works, which never let go of hope even in harsh times, carry a special weight of comfort for us living in the COVID-19 era.”

The connection between Seongbuk-gu and Yi Yuk-sa began in 1939. According to the testimony of his family, the poet and his family lived in Jongam-dong from 1939. That year was also when he published his representative work 'Cheongpodo (Green Grapes)'.

Seongbuk-gu has utilized this historical significance to establish and operate the cultural space Yi Yuk-sa at 36-1 Jongam-ro 21ga-gil. The space opened in December 2019, following efforts by local residents to commemorate the poet, sparked by the visit of Yi Yuk-sa’s only daughter, Mrs. Yi Ok-bi, who came to Seongbuk-gu in November 2016 to follow her father’s footsteps.

Lee Seung-ro, mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “Seongbuk-gu is a city of independence activists, including Yi Yuk-sa and Han Yong-un, and the residents have a special affection and pride that Yi Yuk-sa lived in Jongam-dong and created his representative works here. At this difficult time of prolonged COVID-19, we are very pleased to offer residents inspiration and hope through this special exhibition that newly reinterprets the poet’s works, which never gave up hope even in harsh times.”

The "Yi Yuk-sa Works Exhibition: The Forest Descended by Poetry" will run until February 12.

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