Renowned contemporary artist Do Ho Suh presents his latest exhibition, 'Speculations,' at Art Sonje Center in Seoul. Running from August 17 to November 3, 2024, this exhibition delves into Suh's unique vision and reflections on life, time, space, memory, and movement, offering viewers a glimpse into alternate worlds and new possibilities.
Throughout his career, Suh has explored the concept of "speculation," using it as a method to understand the interactions between individuals, communities, and the environment. He refers to his creative process as a "process of speculation," blending reality with imagination to challenge the boundaries of conventional thinking. This exhibition presents a culmination of his 20-year exploration into these themes.
Central to the exhibition is Suh's ambitious 'Bridge Project.' Originally, Suh imagined connecting his two homes, New York and Seoul, via a speculative bridge spanning the Pacific Ocean, where he envisioned his 'perfect home' to be located. This thought experiment was brought to life through drawings and collaborations with architects, biologists, physicists, and designers. The project explored the idea of creating a livable structure in the middle of the ocean that could withstand harsh environmental conditions.
A new iteration of the Bridge Project is being unveiled for the first time in this exhibition, now incorporating Suh's current residence in London. This conceptual expansion sees his 'perfect home' placed equidistantly between Seoul, New York, and London, at the Chukchi Plateau near the Arctic Beaufort Sea. This symbolic project challenges viewers to reflect on climate change, societal barriers, and the notion of what it means to move through different spaces in today’s world.
Unlike traditional exhibitions that focus on finished artworks, 'Speculations' emphasizes Suh's creative journey, showcasing his ideas and processes through diagrams, animations, sketches, and models. The exhibition invites visitors to witness the evolution of Suh's thinking and his ongoing exploration of speculative possibilities.
Do Ho Suh’s work has always been deeply connected to the themes of memory and displacement. His well-known fabric sculptures, representing the spaces he has inhabited, symbolize a break from static, location-bound art. These permeable fabric structures are easily transportable, reflecting Suh's vision of a fluid and mobile world. In 'Speculations,' this concept of fluidity is extended into the realm of future possibilities, challenging the viewers to think beyond the constraints of the present.
Space 1 of the exhibition features speculative projects that have been shaped by practical, physical, or conceptual limitations. Suh's works in this space exist more as hypotheses or thought experiments than as completed pieces, continuously evolving and inviting dialogue about public art, personal spaces, and their intersections.
In Space 2, Suh's video works, including 'Dong In Apartments' and 'Robin Hood Gardens,' document the slow dismantling of shared living spaces that are vanishing due to urban redevelopment. Through these films, Suh captures the layers of memory embedded in these communities, highlighting the transient nature of time, space, and collective human experience.
'Speculations' offers a poetic reflection on contemporary life through Do Ho Suh's allegorical storytelling. His work blurs the lines between reality and imagination, addressing challenges like climate change and cultural identity with a speculative approach. This exhibition encourages viewers to envision a future shaped by the convergence of cultures, sustainable practices, and transnational connections.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
