Latest news with #MMCASeoul
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Why record numbers flocked to MMCA Seoul for Ron Mueck
Korean audiences moved by exhibition's hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure, such as the wrinkles on their faces. The documentary about the artist's process of creating handcrafted works was even more striking, especially in this age when digital technology makes hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high attendance of 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's iconic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is attributed to two elements: hyperrealism and the medium of sculpture. Rarely seen in contemporary art exhibitions here, the combination offers a fresh experience to audiences. These qualities were further amplified by social media: A popular Instagrammable installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram, and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot, although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Mueck's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Audiences seem to be drawn to their overwhelming scale and astonishing realism," said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. "Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space is thought to have allowed for full immersion for the audiences," she added. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ron Mueck's hyperrealistic works draw record numbers to MMCA
Exhibition appeals to Korean audiences with heart-touching hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure such as the wrinkles on their face. The documentary about the artist's process to create handcrafted works at the museum was even more striking ― especially in this age when digital technologies make hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high number of daily visitors at 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's conic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is partly attributed to the combination of two elements: hyperrealist quality and the medium of sculpture, which have rarely been seen in exhibitions here, offering a fresh experience to audiences. Such qualities of the exhibition were further amplified by social media. A popular 'Instagrammable' installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot ― although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Muech's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space allowed for full immersion,' said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.
Korea Herald
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
MMCA bolsters membership programs
With paid membership, museumgoers can enter museum with QR code, attend art salon and visit before public opening hours The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has strengthened its paid membership benefits starting Tuesday. Among the membership benefits are museum admission via QR code and exclusive access to the third-floor lounge of MMCA Seoul. Annual paid museum memberships are available at 70,000 won and 100,000 won. The number of companions allowed free admission to an exhibition or the membership lounge varies depending on membership type. More art programs will be available for membership holders, including private curator-led tours when the museum is closed to the public. The museum also regularly runs the Art Salon program, inviting renowned artists, architects and experts to give lectures. Among the lecturers last year and early this year were French curator Nicolas Bourriad and award-winning architect Cho Min-suk. The first art program this year will be led by kinetic sculpture artist Yang Jung-uk who won the Korea Artist Prize 2025. The award was given by the museum in recognition of his creative approach to the medium and the humanistic stories in his art. A new addition to the membership benefits includes early access to the museum from 9 a.m. before it is open to the public. Members will also be offered a 10 to 15 percent discount when making purchases at the museum stores.
Korea Herald
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
MMCA Seoul screens eight-film series on creative process
From Picasso's canvas to Nam June Paik's screens, 'Moment of Creation' spotlights artists in their element The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is screening eight documentaries that offer an intimate view of artists at work in a series entitled "Moment of Creation" at the MMCA Seoul's Film Theater through May 24. Headlining the program is "The Mystery of Picasso" (1956), in which Henri-Georges Clouzot captures the Spanish master's painting process in real-time. It is followed by "Aalto" (2020), an exploration of Finnish architect-designer couple Alvar and Aino Aalto's design philosophy. Andrzej Wajda's final work "Afterimage" (2016) follows Polish avant-garde artist Wladyslaw Strzeminski, while Wim Wenders employs 3D technology in "Anselm" (2023) to delve into Anselm Kiefer's mythologically charged studio practice. The series branches into performing arts with Chantal Akerman's "One Day Pina Asked ..." (1983), showcasing choreographer Pina Bausch's experimental dance-theater troupe, Tanztheater Wuppertal. Other works include 2022 Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux's "The Super 8 Years" (2022), "Sisters with Transistors" (2020) on the women pioneers of electronic music and Amanda Kim's "Nam June Paik: The Moon Is the Oldest TV" (2023). MMCA pairs the screenings with talk sessions with experts, including a discussion with director Amanda Kim on May 23. Shows run Wednesday and Friday through Sunday. While admission is free, online reservation is required through MMCA's website.
Korea Herald
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Public invited to talk with Korea Artist Prize finalists
Dialogue with finalists, judges introduced last year as part of revamp of annual prize The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is inviting the public to a discussion with the Korea Artist Prize 2024 nominees to be held Tuesday as part of the winner selection process. The dialogue between the judges and the four nominated artists – Yoon Ji-young, Kwon Ha-youn, Yang Jung-uk and Jane Jin Kaisen -- about their works currently on view at the "Korea Artist Prize 2024" exhibition at the museum is open to audience participation. The dialogue will include questions chosen from among 700 left by exhibition visitors as well as questions from the floor on Tuesday. The discussion will be recorded and shared on the museum's YouTube channel, according to the museum. The open dialogue is part of the museum's efforts to improve the winner selection process of the annual art prize following criticisms of the quality of the finalist exhibition and the winner selection process. The winner of the Korea Artist Prize 2024 will be announced Feb. 13, and the exhibition will run through March 23. The talk will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Feb 11 at MMCA Seoul; registration can be done through the museum's website.
