Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery

Celebrated British artist Julian Opie has unveiled his latest project at an exhibition in South Korea's Busan city. The show, titled "OP.VR@Kukje/F1963.BUSAN," features a variety of works, including sculptures, paintings, mosaic tiles, LED installations, and a virtual reality (VR) experience. Opie's signature style of bold outlines filled with flat blocks of color is on display in the animated images on LED screens, capturing the essence of dancing people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 65-year-old artist drew inspiration for his latest work after coming across videos of shuffle dancing on social media. Seeking a way to move away from the isolation and loneliness of the pandemic, Opie commissioned his daughter, a professional dancer, and her colleagues to dance in front of a camera to fast dance music from the 2010s. He then drew some 60 images for each movement, which are now on display at the Busan exhibition.
 

▲ By Julian Opie, Courtesy of the artist and Kukje GalleryThe exhibition blurs the line between reality and virtual reality, with visitors able to walk on treadmills installed in one room, creating the illusion of being pedestrians in Opie's works. In the VR zone, visitors can immerse themselves in a collection of Opie's major artworks through VR headsets.

Opie said the exhibition represents his efforts to engage with contemporary audiences who often take photos in front of artworks. He hopes his audience will join in, becoming part of the painting and allowing their friends to take photographs. The VR experience, he said, helps people understand his works better and represents everyday life beyond sculptures and paintings.

The exhibition, the artist's first in five years, opened at Kukje Gallery's Busan branch and F1963 on Wednesday and will run through July 2.

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Jason Yim yimjongho1969@gmail.com