Gyeonggi Province Reimagines the DMZ Through Art... Contemporary Art Exhibition 'UNDO DMZ' Opens

Gyeonggi Province "DMZ OPEN Festival"
DMZ OPEN Exhibition Runs Until November 5
26 Works by 10 Artists on Display

Gyeonggi Province is hosting the contemporary art exhibition "DMZ OPEN Exhibition: 'UNDO DMZ'" in the Paju DMZ area from August 11 to November 5 as part of the 'DMZ OPEN Festival.'

Gyeonggi Province is holding a commemorative photo session after hosting the contemporary art exhibition "DMZ OPEN Exhibition: 'UNDO DMZ'" in the Paju DMZ area from the 11th to November 5th as part of the 'DMZ OPEN Festival.' Provided by Gyeonggi Province.

A total of 26 works by 10 artists active both in Korea and abroad will be displayed at Unification Village within the Civilian Control Line, Gallery Greaves, and Imjingak Pyeonghwa-Nuri in Paju.

The exhibition title, 'Undo DMZ,' is borrowed from the English title of Haegue Yang's 2020 work, 'DMZ Flight.'

'Undo' is commonly translated as 'to reverse' or 'to restore to the original state,' but it also carries the meanings of 'to open' and 'to untie.' The exhibition aims to explore the paradoxical reality of the Demilitarized Zone, a symbol and scar of war and division, where human access is restricted and, as a result, wildness and biodiversity are being restored. Through art, the exhibition invites visitors to imagine new possibilities for the DMZ.

Curator Kim Sunjung, currently the Artistic Director of Art Sonje Center, who organized this exhibition, stated, "'DMZ OPEN Exhibition: UNDO DMZ' is an attempt to observe, through the perspectives and works of artists, the process by which the Demilitarized Zone, long a remnant of tension and war for over 70 years, is recovering through the power of nature over time." She added, "I hope the imagination and alternative proposals of the artists will open up new terrain for contemplating the future of the DMZ."

The exhibition seeks to 'undo' the DMZ's ecology, boundaries, existence, and memories through a variety of media and approaches. Notable participating works include: Park Joonsik's research and collection of native DMZ plant ecology, presented as wet specimen installations; Kim Jun's soundscapes, which capture the intertwined surveillance and ecology of border areas; Adrian G?llner's bird drawings, created by traversing and documenting the DMZ; and Silas Inoue's urban ecological structures composed of microorganisms, based on objects and soil from the Civilian Control Line area.

Additionally, works by Haegue Yang visually express the energy of the DMZ, reflecting on the human world marked by division, the Cold War, tension, and conflict. Hong Youngin presents shoes for crane families that fly to Cheorwon in winter and an audio work capturing encounters with cranes. Won Sungwon explores the relationships of life through depictions of animals and plants. Kim Taedong juxtaposes war relics and starlight to reflect on the accumulation of time and traces of human civilization.

Furthermore, works by Oh Sangmin, who recombines bulletproof fibers and metals to express the interface between boundaries and life, and by RE;CODE, who presents upcycled designs using discarded military uniforms and parachutes, reinterpret decommissioned military resources as sculptural language to contemplate the future of the DMZ.

In particular, a special exhibition titled "1919-1949, Records of Time Toward Liberation" will be held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation. This special exhibition highlights the 30-year journey from the 1919 proclamation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea to the nation's pursuit of independence, adding historical depth to the event.

In addition, interactive programs for visitors will be offered in connection with the exhibition, including a sound workshop "Recording the Morning at Unification Village" with participating artist Kim Jun, "Literature Walking the DMZ" with Gyeonggi Province's Opportunity Income Artists, and a coloring book program "Drawing the Garden at the DMZ Boundary."

The DMZ OPEN Festival, hosted by Gyeonggi Province under the theme "Open DMZ, Greater Peace," will run from August 11 to November 5 throughout the DMZ area in northern Gyeonggi, featuring a variety of programs in art, academia, sports, and more. Detailed information can be found on the official DMZ OPEN Festival website.

Kim Dae-soon, Second Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, said, "This will be a meaningful opportunity to view the DMZ, where military tensions still linger, from an artistic perspective and to reimagine this symbol of division as a space for ecology, recovery, and coexistence. Gyeonggi Province will continue to make various efforts to promote the value of peace through culture and the arts."

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