Solo Exhibition
MILITARY ABSTRACTION
Scope BLN
Lübecker Str. 43, 10559 Berlin, DE
'Internet art, Gene McHugh's work, virtual reality, Web2.0, and concepts like the Internet of Things are driving the major trends of the post-internet era in contemporary art' (Jeong, 2018). ‘The artist’ Seo Jisoo, born in 1996, defines herself as part of the digital native generation. They have grown up alongside the rapid evolution of technology, and screens have played a significant role in shaping their vision and perception. These changes have acted as key factors in shaping contemporary art.
The exhibition "MILITARY ABSTRACTION" takes an interdisciplinary approach, considering the intersections of art, artificial intelligence, and technology as its starting point to discuss the autonomy of contemporary artists. This exhibition raises questions about whether contemporary art overly depends on the 'post-' image, neglecting the complexity of its surrounding connections, or if there is a risk of art becoming a mere tool for discourse generation. Building on these inquiries, the exhibition offers a critical perspective, questioning whether art should merely embrace the visions and conditions offered by new technologies, or whether it should also challenge how art aligns with the obsolete structures of technology.
Text: Jisoo Seo
Supported by: Arts Council Korea (ARKO)
MILITARY ABSTRACTION
6/1/2023 - 29/1/2023
Scope BLN
Lübecker Str. 43, 10559 Berlin, DE
'Internet art, Gene McHugh's work, virtual reality, Web2.0, and concepts like the Internet of Things are driving the major trends of the post-internet era in contemporary art' (Jeong, 2018). ‘The artist’ Seo Jisoo, born in 1996, defines herself as part of the digital native generation. They have grown up alongside the rapid evolution of technology, and screens have played a significant role in shaping their vision and perception. These changes have acted as key factors in shaping contemporary art.
The exhibition "MILITARY ABSTRACTION" takes an interdisciplinary approach, considering the intersections of art, artificial intelligence, and technology as its starting point to discuss the autonomy of contemporary artists. This exhibition raises questions about whether contemporary art overly depends on the 'post-' image, neglecting the complexity of its surrounding connections, or if there is a risk of art becoming a mere tool for discourse generation. Building on these inquiries, the exhibition offers a critical perspective, questioning whether art should merely embrace the visions and conditions offered by new technologies, or whether it should also challenge how art aligns with the obsolete structures of technology.
Text: Jisoo Seo
Supported by: Arts Council Korea (ARKO)
Group Exhibition
I’M SO SICKLE OF IT
Stokey Pop Up:
147 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 ONY, London, UK
Artists were given the opportunity to respond to themes of a political, sociological and spiritual nature - in the context of current world events and/or the future. The exhibition displayed a variety of media, from emerging and established artists, including Gavin Turk, Jisoo Jit Seo and Mitchell Smith. In contrast to previous UC exhibitions which have largely been held in unconventional, 'DIY' spaces, this show took place in a white cube gallery across two floors. Curated by Cherish Marshall, MFA graduate of Wimbledon College of Arts. Visitors were faced with an immersive experience and took part in interactive performances and art pieces, including a video game.
I'M SO SICKLE OF IT displayed works of 20 international artists at various stages of their careers. Artist talks held on the Sunday revealed that despite the artists coming from different walks of life, there was a common thread and unifying sense which was built around critiquing 'the elite'.
Text: Uncovered Collective https://www.uncoveredcollective.org/sickle-of-it
I’M SO SICKLE OF IT
24/11/2022 - 27/11/2022
Stokey Pop Up:
147 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 ONY, London, UK
Artists were given the opportunity to respond to themes of a political, sociological and spiritual nature - in the context of current world events and/or the future. The exhibition displayed a variety of media, from emerging and established artists, including Gavin Turk, Jisoo Jit Seo and Mitchell Smith. In contrast to previous UC exhibitions which have largely been held in unconventional, 'DIY' spaces, this show took place in a white cube gallery across two floors. Curated by Cherish Marshall, MFA graduate of Wimbledon College of Arts. Visitors were faced with an immersive experience and took part in interactive performances and art pieces, including a video game.
I'M SO SICKLE OF IT displayed works of 20 international artists at various stages of their careers. Artist talks held on the Sunday revealed that despite the artists coming from different walks of life, there was a common thread and unifying sense which was built around critiquing 'the elite'.
Text: Uncovered Collective https://www.uncoveredcollective.org/sickle-of-it
Group Exhibtion
2021
Oil Tank Culture Park 문화비축기지
T1, T4, T6 원형회의실, Seoul, KR
Global Week invites artists to various spaces within the Cultural Bunker to showcase experimental and innovative works and programs, while fostering networking and collaboration among artists. This event, which started in 2019, has introduced diverse works from 25 teams of artists from 15 different countries. In response to the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the cultural and artistic landscape, this year, Global Week presents 7 new projects and performances under the theme of "Time-Space Resonance."
We hope that the 2021 Global Week: Time-Space Resonance, which unravels the concept of time and space through art within the Cultural Bunker, can serve as a bridge of empathy connecting citizens and the arts. Global Week is a platform specifically designed to invite artists to the Cultural Bunker, where they can showcase experimental and innovative works and programs, while promoting networking and collaboration among artists. This event, which began in 2019, has introduced a diverse world of works from artists in 15 different countries. In light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the current cultural and artistic landscape, this year, we present 7 projects and performances under the theme of "Time-Space Resonance."
We hope that Global Week: Time-Space Resonance in 2021, which unfolds the concept of time and space through art within the Cultural Bunker, can serve as a bridge of empathy connecting citizens and the world of art.
Text: Oil Tank Culture Park
2021
GLOBAL WEEK 시공공감: TIME-SPACE RESONANCE
13/10/2021 - 16/10/2021
Oil Tank Culture Park 문화비축기지
T1, T4, T6 원형회의실, Seoul, KR
Global Week invites artists to various spaces within the Cultural Bunker to showcase experimental and innovative works and programs, while fostering networking and collaboration among artists. This event, which started in 2019, has introduced diverse works from 25 teams of artists from 15 different countries. In response to the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the cultural and artistic landscape, this year, Global Week presents 7 new projects and performances under the theme of "Time-Space Resonance."
We hope that the 2021 Global Week: Time-Space Resonance, which unravels the concept of time and space through art within the Cultural Bunker, can serve as a bridge of empathy connecting citizens and the arts. Global Week is a platform specifically designed to invite artists to the Cultural Bunker, where they can showcase experimental and innovative works and programs, while promoting networking and collaboration among artists. This event, which began in 2019, has introduced a diverse world of works from artists in 15 different countries. In light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the current cultural and artistic landscape, this year, we present 7 projects and performances under the theme of "Time-Space Resonance."
We hope that Global Week: Time-Space Resonance in 2021, which unfolds the concept of time and space through art within the Cultural Bunker, can serve as a bridge of empathy connecting citizens and the world of art.
Text: Oil Tank Culture Park
Solo Exhibition
수평적 소통HORIZONTAL CONVERSATION
Seongbuk Young Arts Space 성북예술창작터 윈도우갤러리, Seoul, KR
<Horizontal Communication> (2020) is a research-based digital footage that originates from the experience of the contemporary body transitioning from a material existence to an immaterial one in a society where digital has become an inevitable means of communication. This work encapsulates various layers of cosmology. As forms in our surroundings, such as objects, places, time, and distance, gradually dematerialize, humanity is confronted with the experience of transforming into data. This curiosity explores how the essence of nature can be shaped within digital devices, especially when individuals are replaced by material.
Visually, it reflects the movement of ants. Ants are cooperative, organic, and resilient beings. The digital algorithms we find useful also draw inspiration from the order of ants and have historically imparted much wisdom to humanity. Ants are the sole survivors of the 1991 artificial biosphere experiment, an attempt to transcend ecosystems. The artist expresses profound admiration and respect for them, aiming to observe what horizontal relationships entail and the rhythm from which cooperation originates. This mirrors the survival rhythm in today's digitally composed artificial biosphere.
수평적 소통HORIZONTAL CONVERSATION
08/12/2020 - 27/12/2020
Seongbuk Young Arts Space 성북예술창작터 윈도우갤러리, Seoul, KR
<Horizontal Communication> (2020) is a research-based digital footage that originates from the experience of the contemporary body transitioning from a material existence to an immaterial one in a society where digital has become an inevitable means of communication. This work encapsulates various layers of cosmology. As forms in our surroundings, such as objects, places, time, and distance, gradually dematerialize, humanity is confronted with the experience of transforming into data. This curiosity explores how the essence of nature can be shaped within digital devices, especially when individuals are replaced by material.
Visually, it reflects the movement of ants. Ants are cooperative, organic, and resilient beings. The digital algorithms we find useful also draw inspiration from the order of ants and have historically imparted much wisdom to humanity. Ants are the sole survivors of the 1991 artificial biosphere experiment, an attempt to transcend ecosystems. The artist expresses profound admiration and respect for them, aiming to observe what horizontal relationships entail and the rhythm from which cooperation originates. This mirrors the survival rhythm in today's digitally composed artificial biosphere.
Group Exhibition
CAN Foundation 스페이스캔, Seoul KR
I thought again about asking questions while having a question-gathering session. I was delighted to see sentences of inquiry flowing back and forth during the time when people with different backgrounds and experiences came together to share their thoughts. Along with authors Kim Kyunyeon, Park Jiwon, Seo Jisoo, Yoon Taejun, and Jang Seungkeun, I immersed myself in discussions, thinking of it as a form of training in questioning. However, they were already quite skilled in the art of questioning, perhaps because they had keen ears. In the opening statement for the gathering, I mentioned, "Questions are excellent messages that display the complex state of the questioner's attitude, perspective, goals, desires, and doubts."
After concluding the meeting with the five artists, I was reminded that an artist's questioning ultimately involves a process of self-inquiry and self-answer. Time spent asking and answering oneself is sometimes called reflection and sometimes referred to as creativity. Perhaps the so-called 'self-questioning' that stimulates artists themselves may also be a process of originating from the artist and seeking answers from within.
In the following Q&A, there are questions asked by the members of this gathering to each other, questions asked by the moderator to the artists, and questions artists ask themselves. I hope that the somewhat challenging Q&A below can be read, even if only slightly, from the works currently on display in the exhibition space.
Text: Suzy Soma Park
의문문 INTERRO-GATIVE SENTENCE 20/11/2020 - 27/11/2020
CAN Foundation 스페이스캔, Seoul KR
I thought again about asking questions while having a question-gathering session. I was delighted to see sentences of inquiry flowing back and forth during the time when people with different backgrounds and experiences came together to share their thoughts. Along with authors Kim Kyunyeon, Park Jiwon, Seo Jisoo, Yoon Taejun, and Jang Seungkeun, I immersed myself in discussions, thinking of it as a form of training in questioning. However, they were already quite skilled in the art of questioning, perhaps because they had keen ears. In the opening statement for the gathering, I mentioned, "Questions are excellent messages that display the complex state of the questioner's attitude, perspective, goals, desires, and doubts."
After concluding the meeting with the five artists, I was reminded that an artist's questioning ultimately involves a process of self-inquiry and self-answer. Time spent asking and answering oneself is sometimes called reflection and sometimes referred to as creativity. Perhaps the so-called 'self-questioning' that stimulates artists themselves may also be a process of originating from the artist and seeking answers from within.
In the following Q&A, there are questions asked by the members of this gathering to each other, questions asked by the moderator to the artists, and questions artists ask themselves. I hope that the somewhat challenging Q&A below can be read, even if only slightly, from the works currently on display in the exhibition space.
Text: Suzy Soma Park
