As 2025 begins, ONE AND J. Gallery in Apgujeong continues to engage art enthusiasts with its group exhibition, After Hours. Running from December 19, 2024, to January 25, 2025, this thought-provoking showcase delves into the role of improvisation in the creative process, presenting works by Hana Kim, Hansol Kim, and Jungyoon Hyen. The exhibition not only highlights individual artistic journeys but also poses broader questions about how art interacts with the structures of contemporary society.

Improvisation, central to the exhibition’s concept, is not framed as a spontaneous spectacle but as a dynamic response to the conditions of the present. Drawing inspiration from bebop jazz’s transformative "after-hours sessions" of the 1940s, the exhibit reimagines improvisation as a method for redefining artistic expression. This perspective encourages viewers to consider the fluidity of creativity and its potential to navigate the tensions of modern existence.

Hana Kim’s works reflect vulnerability and unpredictability. She uses unconventional materials like polyester blankets as canvases, which resist paint absorption, creating surfaces that evoke fragility. Restrained color palettes and intentionally unfinished appearances provoke viewers to question traditional notions of completeness in art.

Hansol Kim explores socio-cultural phenomena through textiles. Using camouflage patterns, he reconfigures everyday clothing into dynamic pieces that reflect shifts in social, economic, and historical contexts. His work embodies a dialogue between the individual and collective memory, revealing how external forces shape personal identity.

Jungyoon Hyen challenges binary oppositions, such as superiority versus inferiority, by constructing alternative modes of existence. Her sculptures blur boundaries, creating intersubjective connections between artworks, the surrounding space, and viewers. Hyen’s approach transforms the exhibition space into an arena for exploring coexistence and mutual understanding.

The curatorial vision for After Hours underscores the artists’ explorations of their mediums while fostering an environment for collective reflection. By presenting improvisation as a "vibration" that adapts to the present, the exhibit questions the rigidity of meta-narratives and celebrates the spontaneous energy of creative expression.

As part of its mission, ONE AND J. Gallery aims to challenge conventional gallery experiences, encouraging visitors to engage with art on a deeper, more personal level. Through After Hours, the gallery not only bridges the gap between artist and audience but also reaffirms the transformative power of contemporary art in reimagining the boundaries of possibility.

With its fresh perspective on improvisation and its roots in the improvisational spirit of jazz, After Hours invites visitors to rethink how art, like music, can be a fluid, ever-evolving dialogue. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding how contemporary art resonates with—and reshapes—today’s world.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com