Artist Bae Hye Jin, who recently returned from an eight-month residency in Germany, is showcasing her work in a solo exhibition at Daegu Art Factory. The exhibition, titled My Chocolate Collection_Berlin, delves into the shifting dynamics of romantic connections in the digital age and reflects on her experiences during her time in Berlin.
The overseas residency program, organized by the Daegu Foundation for Culture, has been sending local artists to prominent international art hubs. As part of this initiative, Bae was selected to reside at the prestigious Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, an art hub that fosters cross-cultural exchanges among creators from various backgrounds. From May to early December 2023, she participated in workshops, collaborative projects, and exhibitions, enriching her artistic practice and global perspective.
During her residency, Bae explored themes of digital interactions and their implications on human relationships. Her work focuses on how modern romantic encounters are shaped by technology, specifically dating apps. The centerpiece of the exhibition features sculptures of chocolate torsos, representing individuals she connected with through dating platforms while in Berlin. These sculptures metaphorically critique the reduction of complex human interactions—encompassing desire, logic, and emotional experience—to instantaneous visual judgments in the digital realm.
Bae’s work also addresses the commodification of physical appearances, highlighting the superficiality often found in digital encounters. By likening these encounters to "erotic capital," her sculptures question how societal and technological factors influence self-presentation and romantic pursuits.
Before her return, Bae participated in a group exhibition alongside other resident artists in Berlin, further solidifying her reputation as an artist capable of engaging with contemporary global issues. The Berlin project not only enriched her artistic vocabulary but also provided the foundation for her current exhibition in Daegu.
The ongoing exhibition offers a critical reflection on Bae’s residency experience and her interpretations of digital love and identity. It also invites viewers to contemplate the evolving nature of romantic connections in a world increasingly mediated by technology.
My Chocolate Collection_Berlin is open to the public until January 31, 2024, at the Daegu Art Factory’s fifth-floor studio. This exhibition is a testament to the transformative potential of cultural exchange programs and the innovative perspectives they bring to contemporary art.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
