Until December 1, Biennale Exhibition Hall and Yangnim-dong
Exhibition of over 300 works by 72 artists from 30 countries worldwide
Record largest with 31 pavilions including ASEAN and America
The 15th Gwangju Biennale, recognized as one of the world's top three biennales and the largest in Asia, opened on the 7th, embarking on an 86-day journey.
At the opening ceremony held in Exhibition Room 3 of the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, representatives including CEO Park Yang-woo (second from the right) and Artistic Director Nicola Burio unveiled Max Hooper Schneider's installation work "Lysis Field." The Gwangju Biennale "Pansori, Everyone's Resonance" will be held from the 7th until December 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Marking its 15th edition this year, the Gwangju Biennale, under the theme "Pansori, a soundscape of the 21st century," features a main exhibition with 72 artists from 30 countries, alongside 32 pavilion exhibitions hosted by prominent international cultural and artistic institutions, held across the Biennale exhibition hall and various locations throughout Gwangju, including Yangnim-dong.
Nicolas Bourriaud, a French curator and critic serving as the artistic director of this Gwangju Biennale, introduced the event by stating, "From individual dwellings to the entire Earth occupied by humans, we will unfold the spaces we live in as an 'operatic exhibition'." This exhibition, which places Pansori at the forefront, explores the saturated planet and ventures into the 'larger world' of the universe and molecular realms through a narrative structure connecting music and visual forms.
In particular, celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Gwangju Biennale plans to recreate Gwangju's "authentic spirit of Pansori" by introducing artists who explore contemporary spaces through dialogues with living forms around them.
At the main exhibition hall in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall, the exhibition expands the rapidly changing world through auditory and synesthetic experiences across three sections: the Larsen effect, Polyphony, and Primordial sound.
Additionally, eight exhibition spaces throughout Yangnim-dong will host installations in everyday living spaces, presenting possibilities for coexistence and solidarity between art and life. The exhibition spaces in Yangnim-dong include Yangnim Cultural Spring, Podonamu Art Space, Han Bu-cheol Gallery, Han Hee-won Museum, Yangnim Salon, the Old Police Station, the Empty House, and Horanggashina Art Polygon.
Moreover, public programs involving audience participation, such as the 'Children's Participation Program' and 'GB Talk,' will be held to broaden the empathy for the "Pansori resonance."
'GB Talk' offers in-depth appreciation opportunities for the 15th Gwangju Biennale exhibitions and artworks. It will be held five times during the exhibition period, including Culture Wednesday.
On the 5th, the first dialogue took place with participation from main exhibition artists Kandis Williams, Na Mira, Kim Young-eun, Amol K Patil, and Noel W. Anderson. On the 14th, a workshop by artist Kim Jai will be held at the Yangnim-dong exhibition space.
'GB Talk' is open to any general citizen interested in culture and the arts.
President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the venue of the 15th Gwangju Biennale held on the 5th at the National Asia Culture Center in Dong-gu, Gwangju, and received an explanation about the exhibits from the curator at the "Korea-ASEAN Center Special Exhibition: ASEAN Pavilion." Photo by the Presidential Office Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]
Research opportunities related to the main exhibition theme are also provided. The 15th Gwangju Biennale Symposium, titled "New Resonance: Art and Technology in the Anthropocene Era," will be held on the 8th at Theater 3 of the Cultural Information Center, National Asia Culture Center. Speakers include participating artists Marina Rosenfeld, Jakob Kudsk Steensen, and Sung Tieu.
The symposium, held in cooperation with the Guggenheim Museum in New York, accepts applications through the Gwangju Biennale website on a first-come, first-served basis.
From the 14th, programs for children will be held at the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall and Geosigi Hall during the exhibition period. "My Pan, Sound" and "GB Small Forest" are experiential programs for upper elementary students (grades 4-6), conducted after guided tours by professional docents.
"GB Small Forest," where participants can create craftworks, operates every other Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the exhibition period.
Additionally, a children's docent program, which helps understand the basics of exhibition interpretation and scriptwriting and allows children to explain exhibitions themselves, will be held once a month during the exhibition period on Sundays of the third week?September 15, October 13, and November 10?at 2 p.m. Related educational materials will be available on the Gwangju Biennale website.
Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated, "The Gwangju Biennale began 30 years ago as the spirit of May 18, which pursues human dignity and freedom, exploded into the cultural and artistic realm, becoming a source of pride for Gwangju as one of the world's top three biennales." He added, "I hope the 15th Biennale will resonate deeply in everyone's hearts."
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