[Exhibitions of the Week] 40th Anniversary Exhibition of Jaebul Youth Artists Association · Julian Opie Solo Exhibition and More

▲ Julian Opie Solo Exhibition 'OP.VR@Kukje/F1963.BUSAN' = Kukje Gallery is hosting a solo exhibition of Julian Opie, a leading contemporary British artist, titled 'OP.VR@Kukje/F1963.BUSAN' at its Busan branch and F1963 Seokcheon Hall.

Julian Opie 'Dance 2 step 1.' 2022. [Photo by International Gallery]

원본보기 아이콘

The artist returned to Busan after five years since his first solo exhibition held by F1963 in 2018. This exhibition showcases a diverse range of works including paintings, sculptures, mosaics, videos, VR, and live performances, comprehensively covering the artist’s ongoing interest in digital media and new technologies as well as his artistic world.

The exhibition space is primarily arranged around LED video works with sound, all depicting people dancing. The artist had long been seeking new human movements beyond the form of ‘walking people,’ which had been a motif in his creations. By chance, he encountered shuffle dance through platforms like TikTok and YouTube, and was captivated by this dance’s simple, repetitive movements combined with explosive energy.

Julian Opie 'Dance 3 figure 2.' 2022. [Photo by Kukje Gallery]

원본보기 아이콘

He devised the dance together with his daughter, who is an active dancer, and expressed it through images while incorporating sound elements to deliver an amplified sense of rhythm and vitality. The images created from still cuts of the dance videos also materialize as paintings and mosaic works in this exhibition. Particularly, the contrast between the hardness of the stone pieces used in the mosaics and the flexible curves of the human body creates a rich sculptural language.

Today’s modern people have become more accustomed to a visual recognition process where objects are transmitted to our eyes through a digital device as an intermediary, rather than directly. Opie focuses on this familiar yet problematic phenomenon and aims to wittily express the difference in perception through his works. Additionally, various human sculptures in different poses and sizes are placed in the central space of Seokcheon Hall, offering opportunities to traverse between the virtual and real worlds. The artist states, “The dynamic interior spaces of F1963, where the exhibition is located, enabled an exhibition setup that broadly showcases the new areas of work I am exploring.” The exhibition runs until July 2, at Kukje Gallery Busan, Suyeong-gu, Busan.

Exhibition view of the Seekeem exhibition at Eom Museum.
Photo by Eom Museum

원본보기 아이콘

▲ Ci Kim Solo Exhibition 'Objects of Sincere Heart, Dreams of Art' = Um Museum is hosting a solo exhibition titled 'Objects of Sincere Heart, Dreams of Art' by Ci Kim. Ci Kim (1951~, birth name: Kim Chang-il) has been experimenting with art for over 20 years using various materials such as ready-made objects, tomatoes, coffee, and wood glue, reflecting insights about himself and surrounding objects in his works.

He is a visual artist who poses questions about the world and expresses the emotions and thoughts he experiences through various media and methods while seeking answers on his own. Also, as the chairman of Arario and a globally influential collector, the core theme of this exhibition, which encompasses the artist’s diverse activities, is ‘dream.’ The exhibition is planned to reexamine his artistic world from early works to new pieces. The artist has discovered the vitality inherent in objects with careful attention and pursued dreams through his artistic practice. What he aimed for was not a single goal but multiple ideals renewed at every moment.

The exhibition features a total of 22 works including paintings and three-dimensional pieces, along with about 10 documents. Among them, 'Untitled' (2023), which contains traces of the artist’s working process and life on a carpet actually placed in Ci Kim’s studio, captivates viewers especially due to its installation in a high-ceilinged exhibition space. A ‘Talk with the Artist’ about the exhibited works will also be held on June 10 at 11 a.m. inside the Um Museum exhibition hall. On that day, Ci Kim will share candid stories about his main theme of ‘dream,’ his creative process, and his views on art. The exhibition runs until August 5, at Um Museum, Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Installation view of the 40th anniversary exhibition of the Association of Korean Artists in France (AJAC).
[Photo by Print Bakery]

원본보기 아이콘

▲ AJAC 40th Anniversary Exhibition by the Association of Korean Young Artists in France = Print Bakery is hosting a commemorative exhibition for the 40th anniversary of the Association of Korean Young Artists in France (AJAC).

This exhibition features 24 current full members and 25 honorary members of the association, who have been writing a page in Korean art history. Since its founding, painters, sculptors, photographers, performers, thinkers, and creators have gathered to promote Korean art in France and facilitate cultural exchange through art. The association breaks down boundaries separating the two countries and unites by selecting over 60 works to exhibit at Space Sajik Gallery.

Installation view of the 40th anniversary exhibition of the Association of Korean Artists in France (AJAC).
[Photo by Print Bakery]

원본보기 아이콘

The exhibition space, Space Sajik Gallery, gathers individual stories that pursue dialogue with the public and presents forty-nine stories from artists who think about art through art to the audience.

Choi Hyung-seop, president of the Association of Korean Young Artists in France, stated, "This exhibition may be a great opportunity to discover new talents who will lead the art of tomorrow and to sense new dynamics on the international art stage." The exhibition runs until June 10, at Space Sajik Gallery, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.