The much-anticipated repatriation exhibition of Koo Jeong A – Odorama City, presented at the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition, is now open at Arko Art Center in Seoul. Running until March 23, 2025, the exhibition offers a unique sensory experience that explores memory, scent, and place through the medium of olfactory art.
Koo Jeong A, renowned for her multisensory installations, originally showcased her work in the Korean Pavilion at Venice’s Giardini Park. The exhibition’s theme, "Memories of Scents Associated with Korean Cities and Hometowns," resonated deeply with international audiences. For the Seoul iteration, Koo has expanded the scope, incorporating personal stories about scents collected from over 600 participants during a global open call from June to September 2023. Visitors will find these intimate memories, ranging from the smell of coal briquettes in hillside neighborhoods to the acrid scent of tear gas during student protests, prominently displayed on the first floor of the gallery alongside contributors’ names.
On the second floor, the exhibition offers an olfactory journey featuring 17 distinct fragrances crafted by professional perfumers under Koo’s direction. These scents were designed to bring the collected memories to life, providing visitors with an immersive experience unavailable during the Venice Biennale.
The term "Odorama" blends "odor" with "drama," encapsulating the synesthetic exploration of visible and invisible boundaries. By engaging the senses of smell and sight, Koo Jeong A’s work invites audiences to reflect on how scents shape memory and identity, highlighting the often-overlooked interplay between personal and collective experiences.
The exhibition, curated by Seol Hee Lee (Chief Curator of Kunsthal Aarhus) and Jacob Fabricius (Director of Art Hub Copenhagen), offers a multidimensional perspective on Koo’s artistic vision. Lee and Fabricius, who co-directed the Korean Pavilion, have extended their collaboration with Koo for upcoming projects, including an indoor skatepark installation at Malmö Konsthall in 2024.
Koo Jeong A’s work is internationally acclaimed for its poetic engagement with ephemeral and mundane objects. Her oeuvre spans diverse media, including sculpture, drawing, scent, and architectural installations, often challenging the boundaries between reality and imagination. Over her illustrious career, she has held solo exhibitions at institutions such as Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Dia Foundation, and the Pompidou Center, and participated in prestigious events like the Venice Biennale, Liverpool Biennial, and Gwangju Biennale.
The repatriation exhibition is free to the public, supported by major sponsors such as Hyundai Motor Company and global art organizations like the Luma Foundation and Bloomberg. It not only celebrates Koo’s groundbreaking work but also strengthens the dialogue between Korean contemporary art and international audiences, bridging local narratives with global resonance.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
