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Title Korea CQ – ‘Times of Global Contemporary Korean Art' Special Lecture by Jiyoon Lee, Founder of SUUM Project
Posted by webmaster Hit 38 Date 2024.10.23
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Dear Korea CQ members,

On October 22th, a special lecture on ‘Times of Global Contemporary Korean Art' by Jiyoon Lee, Founder of SUUM Project was held at the Yido Cheongdam.


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H.E. Ekaterini Loupas, H.E. . Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, Frantz Hotton, Brian Payne, Colleen Payne, Martijn Sax, Sean Blakeley, Jeffrey Eom, Jiyoon Lee, Kim Young-Geun, Eugene Bang, Jackie Son, James Park, Myung Hee Oh, Young Joo Lee, Kevin J. Kimnorage, Yuna Park, Choi Jungwha, Didier Beltoise, and Crystal Park attended this forum.


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After founder Jiyoon Lee extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all the attendees of the forum, CEO Kim Young-Geun hosted a specially prepared dinner, allowing everyone to enjoy a pleasant evening.


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Jiyoon Lee 's lecture on ‘Times of Global Contemporary Korean Art’ started after the dinner. She served as the managing director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul and the coordinator of the Korean gallery at the British Museum. Last year, she curated the exhibition "Thomas Heatherwick: The Leonardo da Vinci of the 21st Century" in the UK. 


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Participants all asked many questions after the informative lecture.


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We would like to thank Jiyoon Lee for her lecture, and Kim Young-Geun for providing the meeting venue and gifting each attendee with a personalized ceramic cup engraved with their initials. We'd also like to thank all members who attended, and Crystal Park for her interpretation. 


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Please click the link below for more pictures

https://photos.app.goo.gl/74SUiZLEezS8PgTA6



‘Times of Global Contemporary Korean Art'

by Jiyoon Lee, Founder of SUUM Project

 

PART I. Korean Artists on the Global Scene


1. Lee Bul

Korean artist Lee Bul has installed her large-scale sculpture on the façade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Hyundai Motor has been running three projects in collaboration with MMCA, LACMA, and Tate Modern, with the MMCA project launched in 2014 being led by Lee Bul. Each institution selects artists for their projects based on very objective and transparent criteria. Although Korean artists have demonstrated significant talent, there had not been any selection of a Korean artist at Tate Modern until Lee Bul received this honor. The exhibition is scheduled to run until April next year, so if you find yourself in New York, be sure to check out this work!


2. Kim Sooja

The former Bourse de commerce in Paris has been transformed into a modern art museum designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, showcasing the Pinault Collection. Korean artist Kim sooja has been selected as the main artist for this collection, filling the central rotunda with her work. She created an incredible installation art piece by covering the floor with mirrors, reflecting the entire architectural space. François Pinault, chairman of the Kering Group and owner of Christie's, was particularly taken with Kim sooja's works, allowing the exhibition to be set up in just six months—unlike the usual two to three years required for exhibitions at foreign museums.


3. Cho Minseok

Located in London’s Hyde Park, the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion features a unique pavilion designed by Cho Minseok, an alumnus of Yonsei University's Department of Architecture, who won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. This pavilion serves as a shared space for people to communicate and relax, effectively creating a communal library. It beautifully incorporates elements of traditional Korean music, showcasing characteristics unique to Korea while providing a universal space for everyone to enjoy.

 

4. Yang Hea Gue

On October 1st, artist Yang Hea Gue held an incredible exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London. She created a performance-like structure using brutalist architecture with concrete, incorporating twisted fibers and sculptures made from rice straw. The installation highlights her unique approach to materiality and spatial experience.


5. Lee Mire

34-year-old emerging Korean artist Lee Mire, a graduate of the Korea National University of Arts, has exhibited a haunting solo work at Tate Modern. Her large-scale piece reflects the profound struggles and pain that arise from her experiences as a female artist, while also evoking a sense of reverence for the human body. The installation captivates viewers with its emotional depth and striking visuals.

 

PART II. History of Global Scene of Korean Art


The globalization of Korean art can be said to have started in 1989. This year marked various significant events, including the stock market crash, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the emergence of modern-day Russia. Notably, after the Olympics, the liberalization of travel began in earnest, leading artists who previously studied mainly in Germany due to financial constraints to start pursuing their studies in the United States. This shift opened new avenues for artistic exchange and exposure on a global scale.

 

1. Nam June Paik

Artist Nam June Paik played a crucial role in the globalization of Korean art. In 1989, he participated in the exhibition "Magiciens de la Terre" at the Centre Pompidou, curated by Jean Hubert Martin. A significant aspect of this exhibition was that it featured not only Nam June Paik but also other non-Western artists collaborating together, marking a historic first in the art world.


2. Korea Foundation

The Korea Foundation was established in 1991. However, the Japan Foundation began its activities as early as 1972, meaning Korea was roughly 20 years behind Japan in terms of globalization efforts. Nonetheless, the establishment of the Korea Foundation brought about significant changes. Thanks to this foundation, I was able to study art history in London, secure a position at the British Museum, and establish the Korean Gallery.


3. Venice Biennale

Established in 1895, the Venice Biennale is often referred to as the "Olympics of Art." In 1993, artist Nam June Paik created the Korean Pavilion, transforming a restroom building into an exhibition space. This pavilion has continued to serve as a platform for introducing Korean artists to the international stage, with current exhibitions featuring Korean artist Koo Jeong A.


4. Gwangju Biennale

In 1995, the South Korean government invested a significant amount of 10 billion won to host the Gwangju Biennale. This event is considered the first biennale in Asia. This year, the exhibition is curated by Nicolas Bourriaud, known for his book "Relational Aesthetics" The Gwangju Biennale has since become a vital platform for contemporary art in the region and a key event in the global art calendar.


5. Lee Bul & Kim Sooja

During the Gwangju Biennale, artist Lee Bul gained widespread recognition with her work utilizing dried fish (gulbi). Both Lee Bul and Kim Sooja were among the few Korean artists selected by foreign curators before the year 2000. Their early international exposure helped pave the way for greater visibility of Korean art on the global stage.


6. Seoul Mediacity Biennale

The Seoul Mediacity Biennale has been held since 2000 under the auspices of the Seoul Museum of Art, continuing for over 20 years. This biennale focuses on media art and aims to explore the intersection of technology, culture, and society, showcasing both local and international artists.


7. Busan Biennale

The Busan Biennale has been ongoing since 1981 and officially established its current format in 2022. I had the opportunity to work as a curator at the biennale in 2006. This development highlights how opportunities have been created for those who studied abroad to contribute to the art scene in Korea, fostering a more global perspective within the local context.

 

PART III. Works by Korean Artists Introduced by Jiyoon Lee

The reason I wanted to become a curator was to promote Korean contemporary artists to the world. At that time, I was inspired by the idea of “bringing Korean art to life on the global stage,” which led me to name my initiative “Soom,” meaning “breath.” This name reflects my commitment to fostering a vibrant dialogue between Korean artists and the international art community.


1. East of Eden

In 2003, photographer Koo Bonchang held an exhibition focusing on the East rather than the West, raising several thought-provoking questions.


2. Seoul: Until Now!

In 2005, the director of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen proposed an exhibition to me. As a curator dedicated to promoting artists, I organized "Seoul: Until Now," which featured the theme of Seoul. Notably, renowned Korean sports artist Choi Jeong Hwa participated by incorporating numerous banners found in Seoul, creating a unique representation of Korean pop art. This was the first exhibition showcasing 25 major Korean artists, including Jang Jia, Cho Duk-hyun, and Gwon Osang.


3. Through the Looking Glass

I subsequently held the exhibition "Through the Looking Glass" at Asia House in the UK. This exhibition featured artist Shin Mi-kyung, who is currently showcasing her work at the Hermes Dosan Park. The aim was to provide foreigners with a fresh perspective on Korean art and culture through innovative and thought-provoking installations.


4. Christie's Hong Kong

In 2004, Christie's Hong Kong traveled through various regions in Korea to select six lesser-known artists, surprising many in the art community. By 2005, this number increased to 13 artists, and in 2006, the well-known Dong-kyu Kim was also selected by Christie's Hong Kong.


5. Welcome!

The exhibition "Welcome!" organized by the Soom Project was the first solo exhibition of artist Choi Jeong Hwa in the UK, held at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.


6. Good Morning Mr, Nam June Paik

In 2007, the exhibition "Good Morning Mr, Nam June Paik" was held as the inaugural exhibition for the Korean Pavilion in London. This global exhibition focused on Nam June Paik and his family.


7. Atta Kim's ON-AIR Project

In 2009, artist Atta Kim was introduced at the Venice Biennale.


8. Prince William's Royal Patron Charity Event

In 2010, Prince William, who had a passion for photography, organized a photo exhibition after personally experiencing homelessness on the streets. This event marked the first exhibition to feature a significant number of photographers from Korea, China, and Japan, drawing global attention to Asia.

 

9. KOREAN EYE: Fantastic Ordinary

I organized the exhibition "KOREAN EYE" at the Saatchi Gallery in London, showcasing works by many prominent Korean artists. I tried to provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary Korean art through this exhibition.


10. Samsung Media Art Exhibition: Dream-White Night

In 2011, with the support of Samsung Electronics, a media art exhibition titled "White Night" was held, enveloping the entire Daegu Metropolitan City Hall. This exhibition explored the theme of dreams through various media installations.


11. IOC Media Art Collection

In 2012, coinciding with the London Olympics, I collaborated with both international and Korean artists to create the IOC Media Art Collection.


12. Venice Biennale Monochrome Exhibition

In 2015, I returned to Korea to serve as the director of the Seoul Pavilion at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. During this time, I organized exhibitions that were sent on a touring schedule to prestigious institutions, including the Palais de Tokyo in France. That same year, Korea showcased a monochrome exhibition at the Venice Biennale, significantly elevating the visibility of Korean art in the global market.


13. Frieze Seoul

The launch of Frieze Seoul provided a significant opportunity for emerging Korean artists to gain international recognition. I can confidently say that 2024 can be referred to as the "Year of K-ART," as we are witnessing Korean art beautifully expanding onto the global stage.

 

Q&A


1. How did Korean monochrome painting gain recognition worldwide?

Korean monochrome painting gained international recognition during a period when Abstract Expressionism was prominent. One of Jackson Pollock's works, for instance, sold for nearly 800 million won, highlighting the value of modernist art in the Western market. Amidst this influx of monochrome and modernist artists into the Western art scene, works by Korean artist Lee Wan became known globally, drawing attention to the potential of Korean monochrome painting. Western collectors began to notice how well these works harmonized with Western monochrome, leading to increased acknowledgment of Korean monochrome painting on the international stage.

 

2. Is there investment in Korean artists or a preference for established international artists?

Compared to other Asian countries, South Korea provides significant funding for its artists. The Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) currently supports commercial galleries with shipping costs when they wish to exhibit works by Korean artists, as shipping is one of the most expensive aspects of exhibitions.

Korean artists are just beginning to gain international recognition. While their backgrounds and achievements are impressive, it's undeniable that the prices of their works are generally much lower than those of similarly experienced international artists. This creates a unique opportunity for collectors, but also highlights the need for ongoing support and investment in Korean talent to elevate their presence in the global market.

 

3. I’d like to ask about the artist Lee Bae, who wasn’t introduced today. He creates works that evoke an Eastern aesthetic, and I’m curious about his popularity in Europe and whether his work is considered contemporary art.

Lee Bae is highly regarded by Western collectors and museums. However, the boundaries between Western and Eastern art, as well as between traditional and contemporary art, have largely diminished in today’s art scene.

A concerning issue is the lack of younger artists; while there are many talented artists in their 40s and 50s, fewer works by artists in their 30s seem to be selling well.

 

4. Considering the situation in neighboring countries like China, which faces constant censorship issues, and the recent announcement from the Lévy Gorvy Dayan Gallery in Hong Kong about closing due to the National Security Law, do you think Korea is in a favorable position in the global art market?

China still holds over 25% of the global art market share. For instance, Christie’s opened an office in Shanghai but had to withdraw two years later due to government control. In a communist society, ownership issues are always a concern; while individuals can purchase real estate, the land remains government-owned.

Given the situation in neighboring countries, I definitely think Korea is in a favorable position. Korea has a wealth of music, museums, galleries, and artists, and there is substantial support for exhibitions. However, it’s unfortunate that commercial galleries provide very limited support for young artists. This lack of backing for emerging talent is a significant concern.


5. Are there differences between purchasing works by Korean artists abroad versus domestically?

Korea offers a very favorable environment for purchasing art. The tax laws are advantageous, allowing up to 90% of costs related to capital gains tax and collection management to be deducted. Additionally, the introduction of a tax payment system using artworks further enhances this environment. These factors make buying art in Korea particularly appealing compared to other countries. Additionally, a system that allows taxes to be paid using artworks has been approved.













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