Seoul Botanic Park is set to explore the intricate relationship between nature and humanity in its upcoming special exhibition, Rhythm: Being Two in Nature, running from April 30, 2024, to March 9, 2025. Expanding its exhibition spaces to include the Greenhouse and Display Gardens, alongside the existing Botanic Center Project Hall2 and Magok Cultural Hall, the Park will present a diverse range of installation and media art across four distinct venues.
Rhythm: Being Two in Nature delves into how natural and human-made entities harmonize to create a rhythm essential to life's coexistence. The subtitle, "Being Two in Nature," is inspired by Chapter 14 of Through Vegetal Being, a correspondence-based work by Luce Irigaray and Michael Marder.
This work discusses the concept of harmony that emerges from recognizing nonhuman beings not as mere functional objects or tools for productivity, but as entities worthy of acknowledgment and respect in their own right. Seoul Botanic Park aims to translate these philosophical discussions into a visual and spatial experience through this exhibition.
Through this exhibition, Seoul Botanic Park seeks to explore how nature and art can coexist in an urban environment. The botanical garden, far from merely a place for relaxation, serves as a crucial space for fostering ecological awareness and redefining the relationship between humans and the natural world.
The exhibited works highlight the interactions and fusion between natural and artificial elements, demonstrating how these interactions give rise to new rhythms. Each space within the exhibition offers visitors a unique experience, allowing them to witness the synergy between nature and art.
Moreover, the exhibition seeks to provide visitors with a profound insight into environmental issues through an artistic lens. By engaging with the artworks, visitors are encouraged to reflect on how the interaction between humanity and nature influences our daily lives and the broader environment.
This experience transcends mere art appreciation, prompting a reconsideration of the significance of nature and art as integral parts of our existence. Through such exhibitions, Seoul Botanic Park continues strengthening its role as a space where art and nature can harmoniously coexist.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
