Novel "Rainbow Eyes"... A Fusion of Art, Literature, Music, and Conversation

Nighttime Cultural Event at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
"MMCA Night - Rainbow Eyes"

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art announced on the 22nd that it will hold the nighttime cultural event "MMCA Night - Rainbow Eyes" at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art on August 6, starting at 6 p.m.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Night Cultural Event 'MMCA Night - Rainbow Eyes' Poster. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

"MMCA Night" is the museum's flagship cultural event, held on Wednesday evenings when the museum is open late (until 9 p.m.). In the past, the museum has hosted a variety of programs such as "MMCA Night - Outdoor Theater," "MMCA Night - On Chesil Beach," and "MMCA Night - Resonance," featuring poetry readings, performances, film screenings, and more.

This year's "MMCA Night - Rainbow Eyes" centers on the theme of novelist Kim Sum's serial novel "Rainbow Eyes," which is based on interviews with five visually impaired individuals. The program is designed to blend art, literature, music, and conversation. The novel "Rainbow Eyes" explores a world that cannot be seen through a vision-centered perspective, guiding us beyond the prejudices and preconceptions surrounding the lives of the visually impaired.

The first segment, "Artist Talk," begins at 7 p.m. and features novelist Kim Sum and singer-songwriter Lee Sangsoon in a conversation about the insights gained from their creative activities and how they connect and communicate through their respective arts. The second segment will see Kim Sum and Lee Sangsoon taking on the roles of the five protagonists from "Rainbow Eyes" to present a "novel reading" in interaction with the audience. Finally, singer-songwriter Lee Sangsoon will deliver a heartfelt "live performance," extending the lingering resonance of the reading.

Before the main event, Jo Aran, head of marketing at Minumsa and host and planner of Minumsa TV on YouTube, along with Kim Jihyun, the editor of "Rainbow Eyes," will hold a "preview talk" on the journey of the book.

On the day of the event, the museum lobby will feature "Everyone's Library," where copies of the novel "Rainbow Eyes" and its Braille edition for the visually impaired will be available for participants to freely browse on site.

Participation in the event is available through advance reservation on the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's website starting at 2 p.m. on the 22nd (10,000 KRW per person, limited to the first 300 applicants). All participation fees will be donated under the participants' names to the international relief NGO World Vision, and will be used to support art therapy programs at domestic child welfare facilities.

Meanwhile, the museum's official YouTube channel will provide a free live broadcast of the talk, reading, and Lee Sangsoon's live performance starting at 7 p.m., allowing anyone to watch in real time. Further details about the program can be found on the museum's website.

Kim Sunghee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, "This will be a precious opportunity to reflect on the meaning of 'seeing' in an art museum that deals with visual arts, and to remind ourselves of diversity and solidarity," adding, "We will continue to organize special events where visitors can leave behind the heat of August afternoons and enjoy a cool evening at the museum."