Transcendence: Modernity and Beyond in Korean Art

Posted by Simply Jean under Exhibitions
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“Annyeong haseyo!” is a greeting in Korean that most people in Singapore are familiar with, especially so with the Han Liu, or Korean Wave. With about 12,000 to 15,000 Koreans staying in Singapore for work and studies, it’s little wonder that the Korean culture has proliferated quickly within the Singaporeans. On the 7th November 2008, this tie just got deeper when the exhibition Transcendence: Modernity and Beyond in Korean Art is opened by the Director of Singapore Art Museum, Mr Kwok Kian Chow and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Singapore, His Excellency Kim Joong Keun.

This art exhibition features contemporary art by Cheong Kwang Ho, Hong Kyoung Tack, Ik-Joong Kang, Kim Hong Joo, Kim Kang Yong, Kim Tschang Yeul, Lee Jung Woong, Lee Lee Nam, Lee Ufan, Lee Yong Deok, Park Seo Bo, Suh Do Ho and Yim Tae Kyu. The first of its kind in Singapore, visitors invited to the exhibition were given a glimpse the night before it was actually opened to the public, where it was attended by a very good mix of local and overseas art connoisseurs.

Starting with light refreshments in the evening at the courtyard of the Singapore Art Museum, many guests got to mingle over glasses of red wine and fruit punch. There was an atmosphere of anticipation as attendees browsed through the profiles of the artists as well as their perspectives on art. However, when the opening began, most visitors, like most Singaporeans, shyed away from moving too close to the rostrum as His Excellency Kim Joong Keun delivered his opening speech. This was followed by a speech from Mr Kwok, before the exhibition was opened for a tour.

A couple of art pieces captured my attention. The first is a collection of blocks that had been carved inward to the depict the silhouette of a person. Done by Lee Yong Deok, the blocks give an illusion that the person was turning to look at you as you move from one side of the art piece! Upon closer inspection, I realised that this was done through meticulous observation of how our minds perceive things in three dimensions and the owner of this piece of art will no doubt be turning the heads of many.

The second piece of art that captured my attention is the use of various ordinary items to illustrate how small things in our daily lives have made living through the day easier and more convenient. Aptly titled “Happy World” by Ik-Joong Kang, he has used commonly found items in households and placed them on wooden blocks that, when placed together forms a huge mural. In addition, as if to illustrate his point better, a small statuette of the Laughing Buddha was also found on it.

The last but definitely not the least piece that got my attention the use of LCD screens to portrait his “paintings”. On closer inspection, the “paintings” are actually animated and this reminded me of the works by Robert Wilson. However, these art works by Lee Lee Nam, are very intricate and fine and aptly brings out the familiar paintings of olden Chinese art pieces of sceneries that Singaporeans are familiar with. Like the works of the former, the “paintings” are light from within and provides a very good visual effect even with the lights turned off.

So, if you want to catch the exhibition, do head down to the Singapore Art Museum before it ends on 15th March 2009. Having visited many art exhibitions in Seoul, I am glad one’s finally here in town.

Tags: Singapore Art Museum, Transcendence: Modernity and Beyond in Korean Art

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