{"id":155436,"date":"2023-04-14T15:48:55","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T15:48:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/culture.org\/?p=155436"},"modified":"2023-04-14T15:48:55","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T15:48:55","slug":"gwangju-biennale-2023-soft-and-weak-like-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culture.org\/art-and-culture\/gwangju-biennale-2023-soft-and-weak-like-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Gwangju Biennale 2023: &#8220;Soft and Weak Like Water&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"           <!--  <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n                jQuery(document).ready(function() {\r\n                    jQuery(\".key-accordion-item .key-menu\").on(\"click\", function() {\r\n                        if (jQuery(this).parent().hasClass(\"active\")) {\r\n                            jQuery(this).next().slideUp();\r\n                            jQuery(this).parent().removeClass(\"active\");\r\n                        } else {\r\n                            jQuery(\".key-content\").slideUp();\r\n                            jQuery(\".key-accordion-item\").removeClass(\"active\");\r\n                            jQuery(this).parent().addClass(\"active\");\r\n                            jQuery(this).next().slideDown();\r\n                        }\r\n                    });\r\n                })\r\n            <\/script> -->\r\n\r\n\r\n            <!-- start html -->\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"news-key-takeaway-wapper\">\r\n                                <span style=\"background-color:#4db2ee;\">Key Takeaways<\/span>\r\n                <ul class=\"news-key-nbox\" style=\"border-color:#4db2ee;background-color:rgba(77, 178, 238, 0.1);\">\r\n                                                        <li>The Gwangju Biennale 2023 in South Korea has a theme of \"Soft and Weak Like Water\" and focuses on resistance, coexistence, solidarity, and care.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>The exhibition features 79 artists and offers a diverse array of visual, conceptual, and tactile artworks, encouraging interaction and engagement from visitors.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>The biennial showcases art as a tool for change, addressing pressing social and environmental issues, and highlights the importance of engaging with the local community through public art initiatives and educational programs.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>International collaboration and exchange are also a key aspect of the exhibition, allowing visitors to gain a broader understanding of the global art scene.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>The Gwangju Biennale 2023 serves as a celebration of artistic creativity, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity, reminding visitors of the power of art to inspire change and provide hope in challenging times.<\/li>\r\n                                                <\/ul>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            \n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On a rainy Thursday night in Gwangju, South Korea, hundreds gathered at a plaza for the opening ceremony of the city&#8217;s art biennial.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the dark clouds and downpour, attendees donned ponchos and umbrellas, determined not to let the rain dampen their spirits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lebanese artist Tarek Atoui and South Korean instrument maker In-seok Seo captivated the audience with their mesmerizing performance, even as rain poured down on the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This event marked a significant contrast to the previous edition of Asia&#8217;s most important biennial, which took place in 2021 and was a subdued affair due to Covid restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>A Show of Hope and Healing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year&#8217;s Gwangju Biennale, curated by artistic director Sook-Kyung Lee from Tate Modern, runs from April 12 to July 9, 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exhibition is spacious and well-paced, accommodating 79 artists and offering a diverse array of visual, conceptual, and tactile delights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The theme, &#8220;Soft and Weak Like Water,&#8221; focuses on imagining a shared planet based on resistance, coexistence, solidarity, and care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exhibition presents artists striving to preserve traditions, transmit knowledge, and create something new from the wreckage of the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It offers a unique blend of hope and healing amidst the challenges of the modern world.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Creative and Engaging Artworks<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the captivating installations is Oum Jeongsoon&#8217;s Elephant without Trunk, a life-size, slightly abstracted elephant sculpture covered with white wool.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This piece won the inaugural Park Seo-Bo Art Prize at the opening ceremony, which was sponsored by the GIZI Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other notable works include Thasnai Sethaseree&#8217;s 16-foot freestanding tower of a painting, Chang Jia&#8217;s eerie metal chairs, and Guadalupe Maravilla&#8217;s &#8220;healing machines,&#8221; sculptures made from wood, steel, and found objects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors can also immerse themselves in Anne Duk Hee Jordan&#8217;s black-lit basement rooms at Horanggasy Artpolygon, which houses kinetic sculptures of whimsical underwater robot animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exhibition encourages interaction, allowing guests to trace their arms along paper in Lee Kun-Yong&#8217;s &#8220;Bodyscape&#8221; or experience the tactile sensations of Oum Jeongsoon&#8217;s elephant sculpture.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>                        <!-- <div class=\"container-c\"> -->\r\n                        <!-- <div class=\"row justify-content-between\"> -->\r\n                        <!-- <div class=\"col-post-800\"> -->\r\n                        <!-- start html -->\r\n                        <div class=\"blockquote-wapper\">\r\n                            <div>\r\n                                <span class=\"text_quot\">\r\n                                    <p>The Gwangju Biennale 2023, with its theme of &#8220;Soft and Weak Like Water,&#8221; serves as a celebration of artistic creativity, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity.<\/p>\n                                <\/span>\r\n\r\n                                <div class=\"quot_icon\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-content\/themes\/culture\/icons\/i_quot.svg\" type=\"image\/svg+xml\">\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"quot_tick\" src=\"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-content\/themes\/culture\/icons\/i_quot_tri.svg\" type=\"image\/svg+xml\">\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                        <!-- end html -->\r\n                        <!-- <\/div> -->\r\n                        <!-- <\/div> -->\r\n                        <!-- <\/div> -->\r\n                                    <\/h2>\n<h2><strong>Addressing Themes of Community and Connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biennial also showcases artworks that focus on the power of culture to create communities and connect people to their pasts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buhlebezwe Siwani&#8217;s multimedia installation, for example, explores her role as a spiritual healer in South Africa using song, dirt, and ropes that allude to the belts worn by Zion church members, tying them to their ancestors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sopheap Pich&#8217;s silver trees, crafted from recycled aluminum, stand outside the Gwangju National Museum, demonstrating how artists are repurposing discarded materials to create new connections with nature.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>A Beacon of Hope Amidst Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the exhibition, visitors can experience the hope and determination of artists as they address pressing issues and reflect on the challenges of living in the present day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The atmosphere is epitomized by Arthur Jafa&#8217;s video LOML (2022), a tribute to the late writer Greg Tate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This video features flickering, amorphous light against a mostly black screen, symbolizing hope that refuses to be pinned down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The opening ceremony&#8217;s extraordinary performance by Tarek Atoui and In-seok Seo set the tone for the entire event, as their music filled the air and persisted despite the rain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the face of adversity, the Gwangju Biennale 2023 stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of artists, curators, and audiences alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As they gathered under challenging weather conditions, their collective spirit was a powerful reminder that art can transcend barriers and unite people in a shared experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Art as a Tool for Change<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gwangju Biennale 2023 also highlights the role of art as a tool for change, addressing pressing social and environmental issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, artist Shilpa Gupta&#8217;s installation &#8220;Speaking Wall&#8221; invites visitors to leave written messages about their own experiences with division and borders, reminding us of the power of empathy and understanding to break down barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another standout work is the installation by collective SUPERFLEX, known for their innovative projects exploring the intersection of art, design, and activism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their installation, titled &#8220;Flooded McDonald&#8217;s,&#8221; addresses the impact of climate change through a surreal, apocalyptic video of a fast-food restaurant submerged in water.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Engaging the Local Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biennial also emphasizes the importance of engaging with the local community, as seen through various public art initiatives and educational programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through workshops, panel discussions, and guided tours, the biennial aims to create a dialogue between the art world and the Gwangju community, fostering a deeper understanding of the exhibited artworks and their underlying themes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, local artist collective Mixrice has collaborated with migrant workers to create &#8220;The Migratory Bird&#8217;s-Eye View,&#8221; a project that aims to visualize the experiences of migrants in Gwangju.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The project includes a series of murals, performances, and installations that shed light on the lives and struggles of migrant workers, encouraging viewers to reflect on issues of labor rights and social justice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>International Collaboration and Exchange<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gwangju Biennale 2023 also fosters international collaboration and exchange between artists and curators from around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through its diverse roster of participants, the biennial showcases a wide range of artistic perspectives and practices, allowing visitors to gain a broader understanding of the global art scene.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This international exchange is evident in the exhibition&#8217;s numerous collaborative projects, such as the joint work by North Korean defector and artist Song Byeok and South Korean artist Gim Hong-sok.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their installation, titled &#8220;Borderline,&#8221; explores themes of division, reunification, and identity through sculptures and paintings inspired by the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gwangju Biennale 2023, with its theme of &#8220;Soft and Weak Like Water,&#8221; serves as a celebration of artistic creativity, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As visitors explore the numerous installations, they are reminded of the power of art to inspire change, foster connections, and provide hope in challenging times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biennial stands as a testament to the potential of art to bring people together and offer solace and inspiration, even under the most trying circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":155437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[410],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155436"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155436"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155436\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}