CONNECT, BTS gig lands in unfamiliar territory [VIDEO]

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 15:19

K-pop

CONNECT, BTS gig lands in unfamiliar territory [VIDEO]

Posted : 2020-01-29 17:16

Updated : 2020-03-05 19:12

Korean artist Kang Yi-yun's "Beyond the Scene." Photo by Jang Jun-ho

By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop's collaboration with art is not something entirely new, but the expectation on the team-up was still high when the juggernaut BTS announced its plan. In early January, the seven-piece group disclosed it would join forces with acclaimed contemporary artists from around the globe to deliver its philosophy and message ― hope, diversity and connectedness ― through artworks.

England-born Ann Veronica Janssens' "Green, Yellow and Pink." Photo by Jang Jun-ho

"CONNECT, BTS" is a global project linking 22 big-name artists ― including Antony Gomley and Tomas Saraceno. Funded by BTS members, they create unique works reflecting the septet's message under the theme "interconnectedness of the world."

They are running a series of exhibitions in five cities ― London (Jan. 14-Mar. 15), Berlin (Jan. 15-Feb. 2), Buenos Aires (Jan. 21-Mar. 22), New York (Feb. 5-Mar. 27) and Seoul (Jan. 28-Mar. 20).

But many people were puzzled at first when the exhibition's chief curator Lee Dae-hyung explained on Tuesday how the collaboration happened. Defying the expectation that the K-pop megastars and the artists would somehow blend music and art to develop a sense of unity, the two parties chose a different path.

"This collaboration is distinctive because BTS and the artists didn't try to seek common ground and combine their things into one," Lee said during a press event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in eastern Seoul.

"Both parties understood that music has its own area and so does the art. Hence, BTS, the band that makes its own music, didn't interfere with the artists' works and utterly respected their styles. But this nevertheless created a holistic harmony as they shared the common values."

K-pop boy band BTS. Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment

Lee's clarification suggested that the K-pop sensation has taken an unfamiliar, but intriguing approach to link music and art.

For the Seoul leg of the exhibition at DDP, the creations of London-based Korean artist Kang Yi-yun and England-born Ann Veronica Janssens are exhibited.

Kang displays "Beyond the Scene," a reinterpretation of BTS's signature dance movements made in the form of projection mapping. The seven dancers perform behind white fabric, revealing and concealing themselves. Kang said the move aims to epitomize people's hovering between "persona" and "identity," the themes that BTS has long been singing about.

"The BTS phenomenon itself was my well of inspiration," Kang said. "I encountered about 15 fans in London, irrespective of age and nationality, and realized how the singers affected and changed their lives. To visualize the special bond of BTS and its fandom ARMY, I thought choreography was the best medium."

She added: "The team-up of such big-name artists couldn't be possible were it not for BTS."

Janssens' "Rose." Photo by Jang Jun-ho

Janssens, who exhibits "Green, Yellow and Pink" and "Rose" installations, conveys her crucial message through fog. Fog can block people's view but this ironically helps them open up themselves more, she said.

Inviting visitors to the fog-filled areas, where visibility is limited, the artist also leads them to use other senses to feel the inventive space. This space reminds people of BTS's musical creativity.

In general, the project is a mutually beneficial trade between the singers and the artists. For the K-pop act, the collaboration artistically highlights its philosophy. For the artists, they seek more popularity from the public ― not only the "elites" ― thanks to BTS's reputation.

"With the assistance of ARMY, the project has become a game changer for the art galleries. Now, hundreds of international media outlets are reporting on it," Lee Dae-hyung said.

Meanwhile, BTS is poised to drop its fourth studio album "Map of the Soul : 7" on Feb. 21.

The Seoul leg of the exhibition runs until Mar. 20. Photo by Jang Jun-ho

sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr