Swiss contemporary artist Claudia Comte’s groundbreaking exhibition, Ascending the Ashes: A Tale of Renewal, marks her first institutional solo show in Korea at the K&L Museum. Through immersive installations spanning the entire museum, the exhibition intertwines art, ecology, and pressing global issues, offering a vivid commentary on the fragile balance between destruction and regeneration in the natural world.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Werner Herzog’s acclaimed 2016 documentary Into the Inferno, which explores the allure and ferocity of active volcanoes through the lens of volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer. Herzog’s film captures not only the scientific and geological implications of volcanic phenomena but also their profound cultural and communal impact. Similarly, Comte’s work examines the role of volcanoes as both agents of destruction and harbingers of new life, challenging viewers to contemplate the resilience of ecosystems in the face of upheaval.
At the core of the exhibition is a vast, AI-generated lava stream, realized through cutting-edge 3D simulation technology. This dynamic floor graphic, rendered in fiery hues of red and orange, flows across multiple galleries, simulating the relentless energy of molten lava. Comte’s meticulous attention to detail amplifies the immersive experience, inviting viewers to confront the overwhelming power of geological forces.
Complementing this striking visual are monumental soil murals that line the walls of the museum. These earthy artworks, featuring undulating waves and geometric patterns, evoke tranquil natural landscapes. The contrast between the turbulent energy of the lava and the serene imagery of the murals mirrors the dualities inherent in nature—destruction and creation, chaos and calm. Comte’s distinctive visual language, rooted in patterns found in the natural world, bridges the gap between art and science.
Scattered throughout this entropic environment are meticulously sculpted pieces depicting flora and fauna native to volcanic regions. Using black Marquinia marble, Comte has rendered lifelike representations of tree stumps, iguanas, hummingbirds, and extinct species like the golden toad. These sculptures, based on 3D scans of taxidermized specimens from Basel’s Natural History Museum, reflect both the fragility and resilience of life. The golden toad, the first animal known to have become extinct due to climate change, serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of environmental degradation.
Another key installation, The Earth Room (Jungle Painting and Five Marble Cans), occupies the museum’s entrance. Filling the space with soil and suspended jungle-themed paintings, Comte references the minimalist earth sculptures of Walter De Maria. Alongside these works, oversized marble sculptures resembling aluminum cans critique consumer culture, juxtaposing raw natural elements with industrial materials. This installation underscores the tension between humanity’s impact on the planet and nature’s inherent ability to recover.
Throughout the museum, additional works from Comte’s Jungle Paintings series appear in unexpected locations, such as the cafe and bookshop. These minimalistic depictions, inspired by Belgian comic artist André Franquin, strip away human and industrial elements to focus entirely on natural forms. The paintings’ red-to-yellow gradients evoke the global threat of forest fires, reinforcing the exhibition’s environmental message.
Ascending the Ashes extends beyond aesthetics, serving as an allegory for the Anthropocene era—a time when human activity significantly impacted Earth’s ecosystems. Drawing parallels to Dante’s journey through hell in Inferno, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on their place in an interconnected world shaped by cycles of destruction and renewal. Comte’s interpretation of the “inferno” resonates as a quest for redemption and sustainability, prompting the question: how do we reconcile humanity’s paradoxical role as both destroyers and stewards of the environment?
The exhibition also highlights the transformative power of volcanic activity. While eruptions devastate landscapes and incinerate life, they simultaneously lay the groundwork for fertile soils and unique ecosystems. Comte’s work captures this paradox, emphasizing the intricate interplay between geological phenomena and ecological resilience.
With Ascending the Ashes, Claudia Comte pushes the boundaries of contemporary art, blending technology, science, and storytelling to create a multidimensional experience. By immersing viewers in an environment that oscillates between awe and introspection, the exhibition challenges traditional notions of art’s role in addressing global issues. Comte’s work not only captivates the senses but also provokes a deeper understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
