Seoul: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) is set to hold an exhibition dedicated to artworks of the four finalists for the 2025 Korea Artist Award. This prestigious event will showcase the unique artistic visions of Kim Young-eun, Kim Ji-pyeong, Im Young-zoo, and the artist collective Unmake Lab, each addressing themes of the unseen and the marginalized through various media.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this year's finalists are united by a shared mission to delve into the hidden layers of society and challenge perceptions. Kim Young-eun utilizes sound to explore the impact of politics and history on listening experiences, while Kim Ji-pyeong combines traditional Korean painting techniques with modern themes to bring attention to forgotten subjects. Im Young-zoo examines the intersection of ancient myths and modern beliefs in Korea, and Unmake Lab uses artificial intelligence to question the role of technology in shaping the future.
The MMCA emphasizes that these artists are "linked by a common thread" in their exploration of the concealed and omitted aspects of the world. Their works not only interrogate the politics of representation but also provoke critical reflection on how we perceive our surroundings.
Kim Young-eun's art delves into the realm of sound and identity, drawing from recorded memories of immigrants to narrate their personal stories. Kim Ji-pyeong's paintings revitalize traditional Eastern techniques to depict modern issues, such as climate change, highlighting the relevance of tradition in contemporary discourse. Im Young-zoo's video installation, "The Late," merges past, present, and future to explore themes of life and death, reflecting Korea's blend of superstition, science, and technology. Unmake Lab's "New-Village," an AI-driven project, creates a surreal village that questions the feasibility of a perfectly planned future.
Since 2012, the MMCA has collaborated with the SBS Culture Foundation to recognize exceptional artists whose work provides deep societal and artistic insights. Each finalist is awarded 50 million won (US$36,000) to support their projects, with the final winner receiving an additional 10 million won. The exhibition will run from Friday to February 1 of the following year.