▲ Courtesy of Futura Seoul

Futura Seoul, a new large-scale exhibition space in the historic Bukchon neighborhood of Seoul, is set to open its doors in early September with a highly anticipated solo exhibition by Turkish-American media artist Refik Anadol. The exhibition will highlight Anadol's pioneering work in the aesthetics of machine intelligence, marking his largest show to date in Asia.

The newly established venue spans 1,200 square meters and features a distinctive architectural design with exhibition spaces on the first and second floors, both boasting 11-meter high ceilings, and a rooftop garden on the third floor. The building, created by Baiksan—a synthetic leather manufacturer—and designed by WGNB CEO and designer Baek Jong-hwan, aims to serve as a versatile art space for a range of exhibitions and cultural events.

The inaugural exhibition, titled “Echoes of the Earth: Living Archive,” will showcase Anadol's innovative media artworks and run through December 8. Curated by Claude Adjil, the exhibition is a collaboration between Refik Anadol Studio and the Serpentine Gallery. This showcase is set to bring an immersive experience, reflecting Anadol's focus on data-driven art that intersects human creativity with machine intelligence. 

▲ Courtesy of Futura SeoulRefik Anadol, who operates from Los Angeles, is renowned for his use of data-driven machine learning algorithms to produce abstract art. His works engage with the data that surrounds individuals, transforming it into dynamic visual experiences. Notably, Anadol’s media art installation “Unsupervised,” previously exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York from 2022 to 2023, garnered significant attention. This installation utilized real-time artificial intelligence to continuously generate evolving forms, redefining the interaction between art and technology.

The opening of Futura Seoul with Anadol's exhibition underscores the venue's commitment to presenting cutting-edge art that explores the convergence of technology and creativity. The space promises to be a significant addition to Seoul's vibrant art scene, offering a platform for both established and emerging artists to engage with innovative artistic practices.

Sayart / Eyeon Choi, beyond.atelier@gmail.com