5·18 Archive Holds Fourth Special Exhibition "Look at This Person"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The 5·18 Democratization Movement Archives is holding the fourth exhibition of the ongoing series "Look at This Person" to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the 5·18 Democratization Movement and the 2nd anniversary of the opening of Jeonil Building 245 5·18 Memorial Space.

This exhibition, titled "Look at This Person - May Mothers, Their Trauma," is a photo exhibition of about 40 works by artist Kim Eun-joo, documenting the current lives of mothers of victims at the site of the 5·18 Democratization Movement. It introduces the "May Mothers," who are both historical witnesses of the 5·18 Democratization Movement and symbols of trauma.

The May Mothers, who live with trauma after the 5·18 Democratization Movement, have continued life-risking resistance on behalf of the victims, which aligns with the planning intent of the series exhibition "Look at This Person."

The exhibition will be held from the 22nd to October 14th at the 9th-floor special exhibition hall of Jeonil Building 245 5·18 Memorial Space, with an opening ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 28th. A talk session with artist Kim Eun-joo will also take place at 3 p.m. on May 6th.

Notably, the fourth exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, and is held with national funding as part of the "Exhibition Space Activation Support Project," hosted and organized by the Korea Culture and Arts Centers Association.

The "Exhibition Space Activation Support Project" aims to expand exhibition programs concentrated in the metropolitan area to regional areas, increase the utilization rate of idle exhibition spaces in regions, and broaden viewing opportunities for local residents to enhance cultural enjoyment in the visual arts field.

Hong In-hwa, director of the 5·18 Democratization Movement Archives, said, "The series exhibition 'Look at This Person' introduces marginalized people who experienced and remember the 5·18 Democratization Movement," adding, "I hope that through this exhibition, the pain and trauma experienced by the May Mothers on that day will be somewhat healed."

Meanwhile, the 3rd floor "5·18 and the Media" and the 9th and 10th floors "5·18 Memorial Space" in Jeonil Building are managed and operated by the 5·18 Democratization Movement Archives.

The operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., open year-round except for January 1st, Lunar New Year's Day, and Chuseok Day. Regular guided tours are conducted five times a day (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.).