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| A media art exhibition under the title "The Age of Multiple Losses" / Courtesy of Seosomun Shrine History Museum |
By Park Ji-won
The Shrine History Museum located near Seoul Station is a historic site known as one of the key holy grounds in Korea where up to 44 people were martyred during the suppression of the Catholic Church in Korea during the Joseon period. Due to the historic meaning of the site, it was designated as the Asia's first Vatican-approved shrine in 2018 and the Pope Francis visited there when he came to Korea in 2014.
After years of reconstruction, the location has been transformed into a new art complex and museum in June 2019 where all visitors can also enjoy exhibitions and take part in seminars while it also functions as a park and a pilgrimage site, too. During the renovation, a 12.3-meter path named "Sky Route" was created for use in the event of an emergency.
The museum is home to immersive media art exhibitions on various themes. From July 1 to Nov. 24, six media artists gathered at the unique space to showcase media art works under the title "The Age of Multiple Losses" inspired by the impact of COVID-19 and human beings.
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| Seen is a media art exhibition under the title "The Age of Multiple Losses" and "Germination" by Kwon Suk-man. / Courtesy of Seosomun Shrine History Museum |
The exhibition showcases a set of three media artworks made by three media artists and three musicians. Themed "Doubt Everybody," "Survive Alone" and "Reason for Coexistence," the exhibition presents such things as the mutation of the human heart's DNA as a metaphor to express what we are facing now and aims to give a chance for visitors to self-reflect. Visitors can freely take photos and walk through the exhibition.
"When you walk into the exhibition, you can immerse yourself in it and introspect amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this exhibition, we aim to inspire the concept of co-prosperity and question our uncertain future without being distracted by the technology. The space is designed to be expanded and completed by the participation by the visitors," said Clara Kim, director of the exhibition and the museum's media under Rev. Jacob Won Jong-hyeoun, head of the museum, during a press conference at the museum, Thursday.
Unlike other media artworks which are displayed on walls and similar surfaces, it displays digital media arts on the floor by using 13 projectors and speakers worth 300 million won ($258,497).
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