Young artists take look at modern society

“Family Planning” by Optical Race, an artist duo of Kim Hyung-jae and Bahk Jae-hyun / Courtesy of Leeum

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Contemporary art evolved from traditional portraits or landscape paintings evokes immediate impressions at first glance these days and has become more rational than emotional, along with the development of science and technology.

Such a trend is reflected at ARTSPECTRUM 2016, a biennial exhibition series of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art for emerging domestic artists. The works on display become more interesting when examined more closely with provided context than just having a quick look around.

For the sixth edition of the exhibit, 10 artists using a variety of media including painting, photography, videos and installations, were chosen to explore a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from personal narrative to the modern history of Korea.

Upon entering the museum's Ground Gallery, colorful boards and a white inverted pyramid hanging from the ceiling catch the visitor's eyes. There are cryptic numbers and symbols written on them.

“Bamboo in Snow, Plum Blossom in Summer, Orchid in the Cold in Zero Gravity Seen from All Directions” by Choi Hae-ri / Courtesy of Leeum

This is "Family Planning" by Optical Race, a duo composed of graphic designer Kim Hyung-jae and information visualization researcher Bahk Jae-hyun. The duo visualized statistics to create an infographic of marriage funds in the Echo Boomer generation, the offspring of the baby boomers. Visitors can step on the circle on the floor based on their monthly income and estimate where they stand in the marriage fund ranking by combining the income of one's partner and the assets of their parents. The duo smartly engaged with the viewers by letting them walk into the artwork and experience it.

Beak Jung-ki's "Akhaedokdan" is a modern interpretation of a rain dance. The artist found a remnant of a former altar in a U.S. army base in Korea, which was originally used for a rain-calling ceremony. He created a replica of the brick monument in the gallery and filled the gaps between the bricks using Vaseline, as a symbol of healing.

Okin Collective, composed of Yi Joung-min, Jin Shi-u and Kim Hwa-yong, created a rest area-like space titled "Art Spectral," meaning vanishing art. Visitors can take off their shoes and lie down on the wooden floor to read a book consisting of essays on "disappearing." The environment was created to emphasize the essays, which shed light on those members of society that have been marginalized.

Choi Hae-ri combines Korean traditional painting with fantasy elements, suggesting the future of Oriental painting, while Kim Young-eun’s "$1's Worth" questions the value of sound in the era of ditigal music.

Kelvin Kyung-kun Park, Park Min-ha, An Dong-il, Jane Jin Kaisen and Lee Ho-in also take part in the exhibition.

The exhibit runs until Aug. 7. Admission is 5,000 won for adults. For more information, visit www.leeum.org or call (02) 2014-6901.