If I asked "Do you like music?" then you might say "Of course I do." However if I asked "Do you like art?" then you would think deeply for a while and finally say "Well..." It is strange. Most people are excited to go to musical performances, but they don't feel much interest in art galleries. In fact, this is the case with me as well. At music performances we can sing songs together of hum. We feel like joining in to complete the music. At an art gallery it is impossible to join in to create the work. We feel separated from the pieces. However, I know of some special art galleries which give visitors a chance to join in the creative process. If you don't mind walking on foot, follow me. Will it be boring? Don't worry, it will be fun...ED
Platform Seoul 2008
Before telling you more, I want to briefly introduce this exhibition, "Platform 2008." This exhibition started in 2006 and will continue up to 2010, using different themes. The title this year is "Platform 2008," and the themes are the relationship between art and the viewer, the theatrical rendition of time and space, and art as an everyday event. More than 50 artists are now working at 12 different art galleries. We are going to visit eight art galleries around Sagan-dong for a profound one-day viewing experience. Still maybe you will say to me, "Eight? One is enough!" but please relax and just follow me. You will come to realize the attraction of visiting art galleries organized around one basic theme.
The Relationship between Art and the Viewer
With the flags on the street on which were printed "Platform 2008," finding the art galleries was easy. Go to gallery No. I first. You may feel embarrassed in the empty space, but if you wear a special headset you can feel trembling while walking through the room. That is, it's a "Maze which you Can't See" by Jeppe Hein. You have to get through the maze by avoiding trembling. This is not general art which just involves looking or touching. This is immaterial art that takes place through experience. This product is brought into being when you enter the maze. If you don't participate, this creation doesn't have any value. Also there are many reflection work, but how can we experience them? In one reflection work, "Theme Song," Vito Acconci, the artist, appears lying on his side and talks to you constantly. If you don't listen to the story, this product remains an unfinished work.
At gallery No. 2, a big sheet of drawing paper on the wall awaits you. Viewers like you have to write something on that paper. At gallery No. 3 you are buried under purple balloons. Artist Martin Creed says, "I think half of the space is my product and the rest will be the viewers' space." So he filled half of the gallery with balloons and left the other half for you. When you enter the room and become mixed up in balloons, the work will be completed. Your participation is not optional but essential. Are you starting to get the hang of it? You must be very interested by what takes place in gallery No. 4. The room has stacks of threads of all sorts of colors. Artist Surasi Kusolwong directs viewers to find a necklace in the room. The process of finding the necklace is an art. Is it fun? You are no longer a passive viewer, you are the positive creator of the gallery.
The Theatrical Rendition of Time and Space and Art as an Everyday Event
"Platform 2008" deals with the theatrical rendition of time and space and art as an everyday event. Gallery No. 5, especially, involves a theatrical rendition of time and space. Xu Zhen's "In Just a Blink of an Eye" makes us feel suspense. The performer is frozen in the pose of falling backward. At Gallery No. 6, you can see pictures by Ruis Jacob which express meaning through dance, sculpture, movement and the features of the viewer. At Gallery No. 7, there is a film made by Peter Fishchli and David Weiss. The film shows us a consecutive incident which we can't see in daily life. Koki Tanaka injects meaning into the things of daily experience and expresses them from a different viewpoint at gallery No. 8. For example, a curtain is torn without using any resources and balls are dropped indifferently.
The Step of Connecting Islands.
Art galleries were called "islands" because they smacked of an authoritative atmosphere and gave us feelings of distance from our daily lives. However, by traveling to art galleries, you become a part of the art and add to the value. Now, you are no longer separated from art. Your steps connect you with art galleries. I celebrate your meaningful steps!
We finished our journey. In fact we visited nine art galleries! It is autumn, so please remember the blue sky which looks at you with a smile while you wander around to find galleries. Please remember yellow gingko leaves which add tenderness to your journey while you walk on the street. Also please remember the fresh wind which carries your laughter diligently. Like art works became completed when you join in, autumn becomes perfect when you feel it. Feel this artistic autumn to the fullest with "Platform 2008"!
By Kim Ah-hyun CP Reporter
dynady@naver.com