MMCA
About the Exhibition
MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2023: Jung Yeondoo – One Hundred Years of Travels examined the narratives of the Korean diaspora in Mexico, inspired by the mythical journey of a prickly pear cactus from Mexico to Jeju Island. Jung imagined a ‘century-long journey of plants and people’ between Korea and Mexico to cultivate a sense of empathy for the unfamiliar.
The exhibition was an extension of Jung’s enduring approach of tapping into reality and history through unconventional perspectives, revealing the multi-layered aspects of a reality that had once been overlooked due to its familiarity. It aimed to highlight immigrants’ life journeys and perspectives within diverse, hybrid cultural contexts, illuminating the generational relationships and overlapping, out-of-sync sensations within these communities. Through his art, Jung sought to bridge an understanding between viewers and unfamiliar subjects.
For the exhibition, Jung showcased five works, including four new premieres specifically created for this exhibition. One addition was the video-based installation titled “One Hundred Years of Travels.” The piece was grounded in narratives associated with the Korean diaspora in Mexico during the early 20th century, focussing on the meaning of existence as it transcends national borders today.
About the Artist
Jung Yeondoo (b. 1969, Jinju, South Korea) lives and works in Seoul. Jung’s practice spans photography, video, and installation works, often involving participatory elements where subjects engage in direct and indirect performances. His work creates a delicate balance between fiction and reality, offering an affectionate portrayal of human experiences. Drawing from everyday life, Jung collaborates with participants to blur the lines between visual art and performance. Notable works include “Evergreen Tower” (2001), “Bewitched” (2001-), “Documentary Nostalgia” (2007), “Cinemagician” (2010), and “Blind Perspective” (2014). Jung has made a series of multi-channel video works documenting personal perspectives on people who have experienced particular socio-political incidents in recent Asian history. These include "A Girl in Tall Shoes" (2018), "Classic and New" (2018), and "Noise Quartet" (2019). Jung’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (2020), the Seoul Museum of Art (2019), the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (2019), MAC/VAL in France (2018), and the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (2018).
About the Program
MMCA Hyundai Motor Series
The MMCA Hyundai Motor Series is a pivotal part of the decade-long partnership between MMCA and Hyundai Motor, which aims to expand the field of Korean contemporary art and its role in the broader global dialogue. Each year, MMCA Seoul presents a major solo exhibition featuring new works by a Korean artist or collective. Accompanied by seminars and publications, this platform offers audiences an immersive encounter with the prevailing currents and vibrancy of Korean art today. The series began in 2014 with a groundbreaking exhibition by Lee Bul, followed by Ahn Kyuchul, Kimsooja, IM Heung-soon, CHOIJEONGHWA, Park Chan-kyong, Haegue Yang, MOON Kyungwon & JEON Joonho, and Choe U-Ram, and culminates in 2023-4 with Jung Yeondoo.
Take a Closer Look
Editorial Article
Interconnectedness:
Jung Yeondoo’s Synchronic and Diachronic Dynamics
Editorial Video
MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2023: Jung Yeondoo, Behind-The-Scenes
Editorial Video
MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2023: Jung Yeondoo, Archive Film
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