The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a place of heartbreak and devastation for many,... but
our Yim Yoonhee joins us with an event that offers a different perspective.
That's right.
Many people visit the DMZ for tours, to see this one-of-a-kind place, where two different
countries are at a constant stand-off.
Lots of strong emotions are involved there,... and where there are emotions, there is the
potential for art.
Take a look.
An area of Korea littered with remnants of the Korean War,… on the fringe of the 38th
parallel North,… you wouldn’t expect to find much at the Korean Demilitarized Zone
,… except for maybe skeletons of the destruction that divided a nation.
So what would a collection of art be doing in an area like this?
Argentinian artist Adrian Villar Rojas shows that the Korean DMZ is in fact a fitting place
for artistic inspiration,… and responds with a collection of art.
Interview Adrian Villar Rojas “I absolutely fell in love with this place, and I had sort
of this ambitious idea of using the town as a theater, as a huge studio….”
And he’s not the only artist to do so,…
Cellist Lee Okkyung fills the battle torn air with her music,… an unexpected venue
for the beautiful notes of the classical instrument.
Artist Tomas Sararceno’s work includes a beautiful scene of the mountains of Korea,
even including peaks from North Korea,… titled “Degrees of Freedom” the binocular
telescope captures a 360 degree view,... and the sentiments of many.
These are just a few of the artists who are part of this year's Real DMZ Project,... a
contemporary art project based on research conducted on the DMZ,... that brings the unique
perspective of artists from all over the world.
Interview Nikolaus Hirsch “This is fascinating, for me to try an exhibition that explores
the field between politics and the art.”
It’s a project that aims to bring awareness, by experimenting with productions and exhibitions,...
known here as works of art.
Many artists view it as a paradox,... because it really is beautiful there.
If you don't look carefully, or if you don't know the history of the region, you would
never be able to tell what that DMZ represents and what went into putting it up.
So like you said, it is a good source of artistic inspiration, but at the same time,... the
artists say that the political tension is very real, and really impacts their creations.
Is this the first time this project is taking place?
The project has been taking place since 2012,... it was put together by the Artsonje Gallery,
which is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Seoul.
And it's continued to grow, incorporating different artists from both Korea and abroad,
every year,... and the result has been a range of various interpretations of what the artists
feel is the real DMZ.
Artwork can be shown for many a few months,... but do they have long term goals for this
project?
Yes, as a matter of fact, through their art work, they want to create a platform for future
research and awareness.
They also consider their artworks as more than just something to look at, but as something
to remind others,... and as something that embodies the dynamic of the DMZ.
So this year's 14 different artists took different approaches, compiling research while spending
time in the area, so that their findings and works can be passed on and used by others.
Thank you for that.
Always a pleasure.