Diverse Exhibitions Showcase Korean Artistry Amidst Global Showcase

Courtesy of Pilar Corrias, London, and PKM Gallery

▲ An installation view of "Koo Jeong A - Odorama Cities" at La Biennale di Venezia / Courtesy of Pilar Corrias, London, and PKM Gallery

The Venice Biennale 2024 commenced on Wednesday, featuring numerous exhibitions highlighting Korean artists alongside global talents. The biennale, held every two years, opened under the theme "Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere" at the Giardini and Arsenale venues.

Curated by Adriano Pedrosa, the main exhibition includes four Korean artists -- Kim Yun-shin, Lee Kang-seung, Chang Woo-soung, and Lee Qoe-de -- among approximately 330 artists. The overarching theme, "Stranieri Ovunque -- Foreigners Everywhere," explores the universal presence of foreigners and the notion of foreignness.
 

▲ An installation view of "Koo Jeong A -- Odorama Cities" at La Biennale di Venezia / Courtesy of Pilar Corrias, London, and PKM Gallery

In addition to the main exhibition, the biennale comprises 88 national pavilions, each potentially presenting works related to the overarching theme. The Korean pavilion presents "Koo Jeong A -- Odorama Cities," curated by Lee Seol-hui and Jacob Fabricius, focusing on scent memories collected from Koreans and non-Koreans with ties to Korea.

Among the collateral events, four exhibitions feature works by Korean artists, including Rhee Seund-ja, Yoo Young-kuk, Lee Bae, and The Gwangju Biennale Foundation's 30th-anniversary exhibition. 

▲ An installation view of "A Journey to the Infinite: Yoo Youngkuk" at Fondazione Querini Stampalia / Courtesy of Yoo Youngkuk Art FoundationCoinciding with the biennale, an exhibition commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Korean Pavilion, titled "Every Island Is Mountain," showcases archival materials and works by over 30 artists previously exhibited at the pavilion. Curated by Lim Geun-hye, director of the Arko Art Center, the exhibition offers a retrospective glimpse into the pavilion's history from 1995 to 2022.

Following a pre-opening event from Wednesday to Friday, the biennale will be open to the public from Saturday until November 24. The awards ceremony, presenting the Golden Lion for Best National Participation, is scheduled for Saturday.

Sayart

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com