Doosan Art Lab 2020 Opening... Showcase of 6 Plays by Young Artists

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Doosan Art Center's 'Doosan Art Lab 2020,' which introduces works by young artists, opens on the 30th.

Over 230 teams applied for 'Doosan Art Lab 2020,' and after document screening and interviews, six final theater works were selected. From the 30th to March 7th, Doosan Art Center will present ▲ 'Anchor,' written and directed by Seo Jeongwan ▲ 'High-Quality Protein,' written and directed by Kim Yeonju ▲ 'This Is a Story About Existence, Survival, and Reason,' by the creative group Geulgwa Mudae ▲ 'Do You Remember My Death?' written and directed by Chu Taeyoung ▲ 'Unexpected Woman,' by the creative group Pureunsueob ▲ and 'Ciphers-Amhomun,' directed by Shin Jinho, in sequence.

The play 'Anchor' is a re-creation inspired by the novel 'The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum' and deals with problems caused by the power of the media. Director Seo Jeongwan, drawing on his experience working in a broadcasting news department, examines the bare face of 'media' in this era where fake news pours out and fact-checking is essential.

Geulgwa Mudae is a creative group centered on playwrights Hwang Jeongeun, Jinju, and Choi Boyoung, writing and staging works addressing various women's issues. The play 'This Is a Story About Existence, Survival, and Reason' focuses on Heesu and Namil, who married after a passionate love but divorced after four years and are now dating separately, discussing 'marriage.' It is a work that poses fundamental questions about 'relationships' using marriage as a subject, which is a choice rather than a necessity.

Kim Yeonju is a playwright and director who explores absurd social issues. The play 'High-Quality Protein' tells the story of twin sisters Meru and Odi, who believe they live in a perfect and safe 'home.' Outsiders such as gas meter readers and repair technicians enter the home, which was a complete space for the twins. As their faith in the home gradually collapses, the twin sisters simultaneously begin to suspect something. Kim Yeonju raises questions about things taken for granted and further discusses the life and image of 'women' created within society.

Pureunsueob is a creative group led by playwright and director Ahn Jungmin. Inspired by the women appearing in the Pureunsueob folktale, they unravel strong questions and curiosity about the times through theatrical imagination. The play 'Unexpected Woman' humorously presents the perspective of a 'female' artist looking at this era. Next-generation actors Seong Minchae and Jeong Sunyoung study the essential virtues of actresses?innocence and sexiness?and discover new facts about women in the past. The creative group Pureunsueob breaks the existing framework imposed on actresses and seeks new roles that women can create as artists.

Chu Taeyoung focuses on documentary formats to raise contemporary issues we can empathize with through various historical events. The play 'Do You Remember My Death?' is based on actual recordings of a documentary writer covering the reconciliation process between victims and perpetrators of the 'Rwandan Genocide.' Chu Taeyoung combines the reconstructed drama based on the recordings with collaborative creations with actors in a verbatim format. The verbatim format means 'word for word' and is a theatrical method that reenacts the actual statements of events on stage. By using the verbatim format, Chu Taeyoung makes the event feel more realistic and sensory, posing questions that allow us to expand and reflect on our own lives.

Shin Jinho focuses on new attempts that break away from the traditional forms of theater. The play 'Ciphers-Amhomun' is a work by British playwright Dawn King and deals with human duality and absurdity occurring within systems created by modern society.

Doosan Art Lab is a program supporting young artists under 40 to experiment with their potential works since 2010, introducing 63 teams of artists so far. 'Doosan Art Lab 2020' is divided into two rounds of three works each for reservations, and admission is free.