Demirrorized Zone

‘Demirrorized Zone is an exhibition that touches on culture-critical aspects of contemporary Korean art. A young generation of Korean artists particularly see art as a ‘temporary autonomous zone’: a space for free imagination which feels no obligation to adhere uncritically to the two available systems- the traditional Confucianism and the contemporary dictate of globalism – but in which it is possible to think critically about the way the two models construct identity. It appears that recognition for the imagination is demanded, without resorting to a glorification of local phenomena. The work by the artist couple Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries shows ironically how the separation of Korea determines the collective mind and Korean thought and imagination. Despite the pressure from present political developments and local initiatives toward approach and reconciliation, the Korean reality of inner conflict and division is still not open to public discussion. Park Chan-kyong’s installation called Set shows film sets in North Korea which represent South Korea. The sets are usually deployed for shooting propaganda movies showing how Seoul would look after a North Korean attack and subsequent victory. Yang Hae-gue situates everyday, local elements from Korea such as chairs, tables and other natural interior objects in a Western context, home suddenly becomes alienating. Ambiguous zone emerges, where new vistas open up the otherness of self. Demarcations between private and public, individual and community, in short, all oppositions determining a cultural system previously taken for granted now appear to have been entirely randomly selected. Ham Jin deploys an iconography of innocence in the form of the sweet world of children's toys. Stuffed plush animals doomed to the unexpectedly perverse confines of steel cages, are there to provoke a more tortuous understanding of the relationship between the space and the object. Kim Sang-gil investigates in the form of billboard-like photographs how the reality of a commercial iconography makes the original Korean landscape unreal, the freedom of imagination is homogenized by standardization, and autonomy disappears from everyday life. Jung Yeon-doo offers ordinary people the opportunity to withdraw from the dullness of the collective system. True, they seem to largely have merged with the system, but they are still able to dream undisturbed about their identity. For example, when they imagine themselves to be the heroes in the world of the ballroom. The special composed video zone will pursue the matter on dynamic changes in the Korean society. Artists: Koo Dong-hee, Yoon Mi-yeon, Kim Se-jin, Ham Yang-ah.’ August 29, De Appel: symposium Core Area. Theme: ‘reflecting on contemporary Asian art and the relationship between geographical locality and identity’. Moderators: Saskia Bos (director De Appel, Amsterdam) / Sebastian Lopez (director Gate Foundation) / Henk Slager (co-curator Demirrorized Zone). Speakers: Manu Park, (director exhibitions Gwangju Biennial, curator Busan Biennial, 2004), Hans Ulrich Obrist (curator, a.o. Cities on the Move, Utopia Station), Boudewijn Walraven (professor Korean studies, Leiden University), Kim Hong-Hee (director Ssamzie Space, curator Korean Pavilion, Venice 2003), Mark Kremer (curator, The Postman is a Genius, NIM), Beck Jee-Sook (curator Marronnier Art Center, Seoul), Flyingcity (artists), Young June Lee (art critic, curator, Seoul), Hou Hanru (curator, a.o. Zone of Urgency), Young-hae Chang Heavy Industries (artists) and Park Chan-kyong (artist). (Press release De Appel) Catalogues: Facing : Korea. Korean Contemporary Art 2003, 2003. Canvas International Art / De Appel / Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam / Netherlands Media Art Institute, Montevideo/Time Based Arts. Text: H.E. Ohm Keun-seop, Saskia Bos, Heiner Holtappels, Martijn Kielstra, Marloes Krijnen, Lee Young-chul, Beck Jee-sook. English & Dutch. 272 pp. Soft cover. Design: Kim Kyu-bum. ISBN 89 953654 3 9 04650. € 15,- In or Out. Dutch Contemporary Art 2003, 2003. Gallery 7 / National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea. Text: Hein de Vries, Oh Kwang-Su, Yun Chegab, Martijn Kielstra. English & Korean. 239 pp. Soft cover. Design: Kim Kyu-bum. ISBN 89 953654 2 0 04650. € 15,- Set price: € 25,-