Norwegian artist to hold art symposium in N. Korea

Poster of "DMZ Academy: Modern Art Enters North Korea" / Courtesy of Morten Traavik

By Choi Ha-young

Morten Traavik

Norwegian artist Morten Traavik, who drew global attention in 2015 by bringing Slovenian avant-garde band Laibach to perform in Pyongyang, will hold the first-ever art symposium in North Korea, Aug. 26 to Sept. 4.

His latest initiative named "DMZ Academy" seeks collaborative works between artists from North Korea's state-run institutions and those from the outside world, amid heightened tensions on the peninsula.

"International contemporary artists and curators will join North Korean colleagues from the country's two highest institutions of art production: Pyongyang University of Fine Arts and Mansudae Art Studio," he said in a press release Wednesday.

The university and studio boast traditional Korean painting techniques as well as propaganda artifacts to honor the regime.

The incoming artists are Austrian architect Lena Lapschina; a team of artists based on the Russian-Norwegian border; Chinese photographer Cuentin Shih; members of French design studio Metastazis; German artist Nik Nowak; Norwegian painter Henrik Placht; and Cryptic, a group of artists based in Scotland.

Traavik said he hopes the event will send out messages of peace.

"We firmly believe that an exchange of artistic ways of looking at the world and creative solutions can only bring good things with it, in the short or long terms," he said in an email to The Korea Times.

He has envisioned the project to last for three years in cooperation with North Korea's Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Arts Council Norway and the Dutch-based organization Prince Claus Fund.

Next year, a joint exhibition called "The Art Factory" will follow up the fruits of the symposium. "The results of 10 days of work on demonstrations, artist talks, literal culture clashes, central planning and on-the-spot inspiration will be developed into the international touring joint exhibition," Traavik said.

This event will be made into a movie titled "The War of Art" by filmmaker Tommy Gulliksen.

Last year, Traavik unveiled the movie "Liberation Day" which documented bizarre moments in preparing for the Laibach concert in the reclusive country. The movie depicted how the artists from distinctive systems quarrel and compromise to make the event happen, overcoming conflicts and government censorship.

Traavik has pursued "social intervention" mainly in hotspots around the world. In April's interview with The Korea Times during his Seoul visit, he called for the two Koreas to open a direct dialogue channel. "Koreans talking directly to each other without outside interference is the only logical way for a better relationship," he said.

"Anything is possible. If you are patient and prepared, you can actually achieve what nobody thinks possible," he said during a visit for the movie's Asian premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival.

On the sidelines of the festival, Laibach gave an unprecedented opportunity to the South Korean audience ― performing North Korean propaganda songs reinterpreted in its brutal and dark style.

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