A Visit to Kim Sung-hwan's Solo Exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art: "Woo Ah A-Oh Ee Ah Oh Ee Ah A"
Hawaii, Korea, and a Journey of Knowing
I visited Woo Ah A-Oh Ee Ah Oh Ee Ah A , a solo exhibition by artist Kim Sung-hwan, which is being held at the Seosomun Main Building of the Seoul Museum of Art. This exhibition runs until March 30, 2025, and it offers an opportunity to explore the unique artistic world of Kim Sung-hwan in depth across the second and third floors of the Seosomun Main Building. In particular, the exhibition uses multimedia and various mediums, providing visitors with a new way to experience art.
The sophisticated spatial composition and unique atmosphere that were felt as soon as I entered the exhibition space were impressive. Kim Sung-hwan's works not only focused on visual beauty but also contained historical contexts and philosophical messages, prompting me to think throughout my viewing experience.
Exhibition Theme and Key Works
This exhibition is centered around the third chapter of the multi-faceted research project called Pyohaerok , which Kim Sung-hwan has been conducting since 2017. Pyohaerok illuminates the lives of Korean immigrants who moved to Hawaii and the United States in the early 20th century, and expands their narratives through various themes such as boundaries, records, ownership, and distribution. The title of the exhibition, Woo Ah A-Oh Ee Ah Oh Ee Ah A , is a phrase that juxtaposes the pronunciation of Hawaiian and Korean, and it contains the artist's intention to explore the relationship between institutions and knowledge formation, setting Hawaii as a place that symbolizes modern and colonial history.
In particular, the works in this exhibition are not presented as complete pieces, but rather are gradually completed through collaborations between the artist and various creators during the exhibition period. Through this process, viewers participate not merely as viewers but as witnesses to the creative process. For example, the portrait and text works installed in one corner of the exhibition hall were reconstructed based on archival materials documenting the lives of immigrants at the time. It allowed me to read the signs of the times through their expressions and gestures within the historical context.
In addition to the portrait works, the text and video pieces placed throughout the space conveyed stories to visitors in new ways. In particular, the video works left a deep impression by expressing the daily lives and cultural exchanges of Hawaiian immigrants through a modern visual language.
Interpretation From Various Perspectives
According to the leaflet, there is a lecture program with the participation of historians, art historians, and visual culture researchers. I think through this, you can learn how experts in each field interpret this exhibition. Also, using the docent app enriched the viewing experience by allowing me to hear various perspectives along with explanations of the artworks.
In particular, the portrait works were interesting because they gave different feelings depending on whether you looked at them up close or from afar. The expressions and postures of the figures in the works vividly conveyed the social atmosphere and cultural context of the time, leaving a deep impression on the viewers. Also, the text works did not simply prompt reading but rather encouraged interaction with the works across the entire space, offering a new experience to visitors.
Impressions After Viewing the Exhibition
This exhibition, as a multimedia exhibition, was very innovative not only in terms of visual elements but also in terms of spatial composition and use of media. For example, the portrait works in the first photo presented a strong impression by reinterpreting the past with a modern visual language, and the second text works encouraged interaction with the works throughout the entire space, rather than just reading. The archival materials in the third photo, as precious records of the lives of Korean immigrants at the time, presented a new visual approach to historical facts.
Also, the exhibition was special in that it showed not only completed works but also the process itself, which is constantly changing and developing. The fact that Kim Sung-hwan himself was present at the exhibition hall sharing his creative process was also very innovative. Through this process, visitors seemed to be transforming from mere 'observers' into 'participants.'
A Special Winter at the Seoul Museum of Art
I can say that this is the most unique and memorable exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art this winter. The works were interconnected within a large space that spanned the second and third floors, making the experience very immersive. If I have the opportunity, I would like to visit again and appreciate the works from a new perspective.
Kim Sung-hwan's solo exhibition not only provided an opportunity to appreciate art but also created a chance to deepen my understanding and reflection on history and culture. If you have not yet seen it, I highly recommend visiting it!
