 This media installation “dot . a scene = sine at the sea ― tactuaL [si:gak] series #2” by Kim Hae-min gives the tactual experience of seeing the ocean landscape with dots. / Courtesy of Total Museum of Contemporary Art |
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Disabilities are often a topic that makes people uncomfortable, and there are many social prejudices that still exist for people with them.
The exhibit ``thisAbility vs. Disability'' at the Total Museum of Contemporary Art tackles the topic of disability in society through 10 interactive electronic art works by Korean and foreign artists.
Curator Jeon Byeong-sam wanted to tackle the ``themes of human capability through creative transition of the senses.''
``Just as all people have distinct figures, appearances and characteristics, which we may call `disability' is only a difference, not a defect. This exhibition presents artworks that invite a reappraisal of disability. … I hope that the exhibition `thisAbility vs. Disability' helps roll back outdated notions of disability in society, that we may embrace our diversity and understand each other through the heart,'' Jeon said.
Visitors can try the interactive electronic artworks, such as bells that ring in time to your heartbeat and a digital musical instrument that can be played with facial gestures.
One of the most interesting works is by New York-based Malaysian artist Leon Lim. ``Discommunicativeness'' employs no sound, only visuals. Viewers can move the computer mouse to generate questions and answers on two separate screens, providing insight into deaf people's experiences.
Lim, who is deaf, formulated the questions and answers from his own, as well as other deaf people's experiences. The Korea Times did a feature story on Lim last month, which helped him invite around 50 deaf Korean schoolchildren to see the exhibit. He earlier told The Korea Times he wanted to inspire deaf children to achieve their dreams and to not be limited by their deafness.
Korean artist Lee Jae-min created ``Water Lights,'' a series of raised points connected to an LED whose light is triggered by the amount of water on the surface. You have to wet your fingers, write or draw on the pointed surface, and watch it light up.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Lee said the Braille system, which allows blind people to read and write, inspired his work. He wanted to make people feel what they write or draw, instead of see.
Another work that uses Braille is Japanese artist Mika Fukumori's ``Ototenji'' (Sound + Braille). It allows people who have eyesight to learn Japanese Braille using sight, hearing and touch. Visitors can insert blocks into a panel of six holes and watch as the blocks light up in different colors while the corresponding sound of the letter is played on a speaker.
``Heartbeat Carillon,'' by Chicago-based artist David Parker, features a series of steel arches with hand sensors that detect one's heartbeat, and a tower of glass bells. The heartbeat signal is converted into a strike on one bell, and the bell continues to ring while the participant holds on to the arches.
Parker told The Korea Times the work can be seen as a democratic art, since you only need a heartbeat to use it and it does not consider one's physical condition.
``Adaptive Use Musical Instruments'' is a work by Pauline Oliveros, Leaf Miller, Zevin Polzin and Zane Van Dusen. The project uses motion-tracking software that allows one to create music through facial gestures or small movements in front of a camera.
``Visitors enjoy creative alterations of auditory, visual and tactile sensations that may cause them to question themselves; in the process, they may also re-examine bases of their social judgments. These artworks can spark revelations that break social prejudice and affirm difference,'' Jeon said.
The exhibit runs through Aug. 24 at the Total Museum of Contemporary Art, Pyeongchang-dong. From Gyeongbokgung station (Subway Line 3, Exit 3), take bus no. 1020 or 1711 and get off at Lotte-Samsung Apartment stop. Visit www.thisAbility-Disability.net or call (02) 379-3994.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
