Busan exhibition to mark 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea ties
“Breeze Fire”― a media artwork reenacting floating lanterns over a river, is showcased at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju in October 2019. It is among the displayed works at this year's exhibition titled, “Light of ASEAN, One Community and Harmony,” at the ASEAN Culture House (ACH) in Busan. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
A commemorative exhibition to mark the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea relations last year will run until May 20.
A poster for the ASEAN Culture House's (ACH) exhibition titled, “Light of ASEAN, One Community and Harmony” / Courtesy of ACH
The ASEAN Culture House (ACH), tasked with promoting the cultures of the 10-member ASEAN, said last week it arranged the exhibition titled, “Light of ASEAN, One Community and Harmony,” to start from April 1 at its headquarters in Busan.
The ACH said the exhibition is not open to the public yet because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re following the situation closely and will make decisions accordingly,” the ACH said.
This is the first joint project between the ACH, under the government-affiliated public diplomacy organization Korea Foundation, and the Asia Culture Institute (ACI), a Gwangju-based quasi-governmental organization promoting Asian cultures in general.
Among the featured works are “Breeze Fire” and “Mysterious Fire,” both produced by the media artist group SILO Lab.
The former reenacts floating lanterns over a river, with the lanterns symbolizing ASEAN countries.
The latter has about 270 light bulbs that draw patterns symbolizing ASEAN as the lights turn on and off gradually.
“We invite you to experience a longing for the harmony and peace of Korea and ASEAN,” the ACH said.
The ACH was set up in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN’s establishment.
It has two underground floors and four stories above ground, featuring exhibition halls, a virtual reality and seminar rooms, and a concert hall.
In November 2019, it hosted a commemorative bazaar for the inaugural Mekong-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit, which took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan.
The bazzar showcased handicrafts and fashion items from companies in five Mekong countries — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.