In 2014, the Lee Ungno Museum of Art launched the Paris Lee Ungno Residence, a research-based creative support program, to set the stage for local artists to advance into the overseas art world. The program selects three Daejeon-based artists every year for a three-month stay in France. All of them live in Vaux-sur-Seine, near Paris, where Goam Atelier is located, and devote themselves to their work. The experiences gained at that time are considered a leap forward for an artist. Fifteen such artists presenting their works in an exhibition have created experiences of interacting with Vaux-sur-Seine's nature and the Paris art world through various themes and media. All of the submitted works were inspired by Lee Ungno's creation and experimental spirit and actively dealt with major concepts of contemporary art such as time, desire, and memory. This exhibition is a place to see the Korean artists who have grown through the Paris Ungno Residence, offering a meaningful opportunity to think about the future direction of the Paris Ungno Residence.
The exhibition comprises two sections. A large space features works by the 15 artists, while a smaller space, the last section, showcases representative works by artist Lee Ungno and includes a room where his documentary is screened. The most unusual works in the exhibition are those that actively incorporate the exhibition hall itself. These works reveal the artists' creativity through paintings directly on the gallery walls or by utilizing three-dimensional spaces. Also, the inclusion of elements that allow viewers to create their own artworks through computers adds an interesting dimension to the exhibition.
Artist Hong Wonseok explores the theme of loneliness to envision a future society. Solitude is expressed through an unexpected and disturbing landscape presented in a neutral sense. He paints a colorful and light-filled civilized society within the context of solitude and vain, and the future he talks about in his work implicitly reflects the reality where everything is achievable, yet nothing truly is. The artist's work dominates the largest wall of the exhibition, and the random arrangement of small paintings that are crumbling compared to bright colors as a whole creates a somewhat disquieting effect.
Artist Lee Wonkyung employs a unique approach by weaving metal wires using knitting techniques to form intricate shapes. The cold and hard properties of metal are combined with the warm and soft properties of knitting to express distinct characteristics and shapes. This work conveys the artist's idea of living together, respect, and coexistence. It emphasizes embracing diversity rather than fearing or excluding things that are completely different from oneself. Despite the scale of the project, it was executed with remarkable delicacy. The artist’s technique of creating softness using strong materials that were difficult to work with is really unique.
Artist Pa Rang expresses complex emotions in pictures of nature, animals, and people. Every object that appears in the paintings represents a fragile existence. The work contains the process of weak beings embracing each other to live in the world, with the weak evolving into an inner source of strength. Hidden in their lives, not being afraid of wildness and death, is the "nature of cold and beautiful life" that the artist wants to express. Various colors are used in the paintings, but red stands out. The pictures depict the desires and madness of vulnerable people, and this portrayal is both somewhat frightening and beautiful.
The representative works of artist Lee Ungno in the last section are unrivaled. In this section, his life and art world are divided into periods, and the activities of each period can be examined in depth. The changes in his paintings, using hanji and hangeul to create new forms, are unique. Visitors can also gain insights into his history and thoughts by watching a documentary that is shown in a small video room.
The Lee Ungno Museum of Art is a very unusual place. There is a clear distinction between the illuminated and non-illuminated spaces. The achromatic building, which can appear stark or monochromatic, harmonizes with the surrounding pine trees to produce a distinctive, unique atmosphere. In addition, unlike other art galleries, elderly staff work there and guide visitors. As the place is unique, the order of the exhibition can be confusing. In such cases, the staff provides guidance or information to ensure that the audience can navigate and enjoy the artwork smoothly. If you read an article about the intention of the exhibition before attending, you will be able to enjoy the work on display with a greater sense of appreciation. The next exhibition is the "Special Exhibition on the 120th Anniversary of Lee Ungno's Birth." It will be another great opportunity to experience various artworks by world-class artists.
Location: 157 Dunsan-daero, Seo-gu, Daejeon
Exhibition Period: 2023-09-01 ~ 2023-10-29
Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00
Admission Fee: Free
Contact: 042-611-9800
Website: https://www.leeungnomuseum.or.kr/