Press Room

Energy And Matter, The Third Edition Of This Survey Series, Will Present The Work Of 21 Emerging And Established Korean ArtistsWorking In Photography, Painting, Video, And Mixed Media.

New York, NY (September 8, 2011)

Working in collaboration with Parallel Contemporary Art, the Museum of Arts and Design is proud to debut Korean Eye: Energy and Matter. The exhibition is the third in the Korean Eye series, established by Parallel Contemporary Art (which was founded by David and Serenella Ciclitira) and Standard Chartered Bank in 2009 to spotlight new work by contemporary Korean artists. Bringing together 21 emerging and established Korean artists working in photography, painting, video, and mixed media, Korean Eye: Energy and Matter will be on view at MAD from November 1, 2011 through February 19, 2012. After its inaugural display in New York, the exhibition will travel to Abu Dhabi. To date, over 40 artists have exhibited 65 works of art, enjoyed by more than 505,000 people during exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery in London, as well as in Seoul in 2009 and 2010, and in Singapore in 2010. A preview of the exhibition Korean Eye: Energy and Matter will be held at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea from September 5 to 9, 2011.

Korean Eye: Energy and Matter reflects a new era of diversity in Korean life, politics, and culture, and offers a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate Korea's rapidly developing art scene, which until recently received little global exposure. Korean Eye: Energy and Matter offers an illuminating commentary on the philosophical and aesthetic conditions of modern Korean culture, from virtual reality and the pervasive influence of fantasy and pop culture to the dehumanization inherent in a post-industrial society. By turns ironic, satirical, and metaphorical, the exhibition includes photo-sculptures by Seung Hyo Jang; embroidery and acrylic paintings by Young In Hong; a large, imposing shark fabricated from reclaimed and repurposed automobile tires by Yong Ho Ji; and Meekyoung Shin's astonishing “antique” porcelain vases, rendered in soap. Korean Eye: Energy and Matter highlights MAD's focus on materials and process in contemporary art and design by showcasing works of art in an astonishing range of materials, reflecting the ways in which Korean artists today are exploring techniques both traditional and innovative.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND PUBLICATION

In conjunction with Korean Eye: Energy and Matter, MAD will present a series of educational programs, including lectures, docent tours, and Unbridled Energy, a program of dance and animated films in the MAD Theater. Korean Eye: Energy and Matter is accompanied by a 389- page book entitled “Korean Eye: Contemporary Korean Art.” The book, edited by Serenella Ciclitira and published by SKIRA, showcases a collection of work by 75 contemporary Korean artists and features artist biographies and statements. 

EXHIBITION CREDITS AND ORGANIZATION

Korean Eye: Energy and Matter is presented by Standard Chartered, the main sponsor. Standard Chartered, the catalyst behind the creation of Korean Eye, leverages its unique international footprint to support and bring life to the exhibitions. Korean Eye was founded in 2009 by David and Serenella Ciclitira in partnership with Standard Chartered and the Saatchi Gallery to support emerging and more established Korean artists with the aim to bring Korean contemporary art worldwide. Energy and Matter is curated by Johnson Chang, Serenella Ciclitira and Nigel Hurst and by the Museum of Arts and Design’s Nanette L. Laitman Director, Holly Hotchner, William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator and Vice President Exhibitions and Collections, David Revere McFadden, and Charles Bronfman International Curator, Lowery Stokes Sims.