Architect of 'mechanical organism' chosen as this year's MMCA Hyundai Motor Series artist

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 13:31

Theater & Others

Architect of 'mechanical organism' chosen as this year's MMCA Hyundai Motor Series artist

Posted : 2022-02-21 14:04

Updated : 2022-02-22 15:45

Artist Choe U-ram / Courtesy of MMCA

By Park Han-sol

Kinetic artist Choe U-ram has been named the artist for this year's MMCA Hyundai Motor Series by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Korea.

As an architect of "mechanical organisms" or "anima-machine," the 52-year-old has garnered attention both at home and abroad with his inventive robotic sculptures that marry lifelike movements achieved through computer-controlled motors with oddly convincing "birth stories" for each of his fictional creatures.

In other words, he creates fictitious fossils with metallic coils and machines that breathe, wriggle and writhe, while christening them with unique nomenclature in Latin and prehistoric or extraterrestrial "myths" that tell the backstory of each organism.

Through such creatures, the artist has focused on how human desires are projected onto technological advancement and evolution, tapping into diverse realms of biology, philosophy and religion.

Choe became the first Korean artist to be invited for a solo exhibition at the renowned Mori Art Museum in Tokyo in 2006. Throughout his career, his kinetic sculptures have been displayed at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Singapore Art Museum, New York's Asia Society Museum and Leeum Museum of Art here.

In the exhibition slated for a September opening at MMCA's Seoul branch, the artist will unveil his new large-scale installation, tentatively titled "Paper Boat." As his first solo show to be held at the national museum, the exhibition will highlight his years-long exploration of themes of humanness and biological existence, while bringing them under the timely context of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MMCA Hyundai Motor Series is the museum's annual art project launched in 2014 in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company. Dedicated to promoting esteemed Korean contemporary creators, the series selects one artist or team with a unique vision each year and organizes a solo exhibition showcasing their newly commissioned works.

Choe is the ninth artist to be selected for the project, following other internationally renowned creators in the past years including Lee Bul, Kimsooja, Yang Hae-gue and the duo of Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho.

Choe U-ram's "Custos Cavum" (2011) / Courtesy of MMCA

hansolp@koreatimes.co.kr