Busan is good

Biennale transforms Busan into giant gallery

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Art is everywhere in the southeastern city of Busan as the Busan Biennale is underway throughout the port city.

The Busan Biennale kicked off with a large-scale exhibition of contemporary art on Sept. 6, only a day after the opening of its more internationally renowned rival, the Gwangju Biennale.

However, unlike the Gwangju Biennale, which has no particular theme, the Busan Biennale revolves around the theme of “Expenditure,” which is based on the concept of French philosopher Georges Bataille.

He argued that the process of squandering could translate into something positive.

In simple words, the theme “expenditure” implies that every artwork is a result of emitting and expending energy.

Approximately 200 contemporary artists from 40 countries will be on display at several different venues through Nov. 15.

The Busan Biennale is divided into three sections that each elaborates the concept of expenditure: The Contemporary Art Exhibition in the Busan Museum of Art and Busan Yachting Center; the Sea Art Festival at Gwangalli Beach; and the Busan Sculpture Project at the APEC Naru Park.

The theme of the Contemporary Art Exhibition is “EXPENDITURE - as it is always and already excessive.”

An array of international artworks ranging from paintings, photographs, sculptures and video installations are on display, reflecting the dynamic scene and current trends in the art world.

The Busan Museum of Art serves as the main exhibition space, and showcases 79 artists, while the Busan Yachting Center is showing the work of 14 artists.

Those on display include Japanese artist Yasumasa Morimura's video work “Laugh at the Dictator,” American artist Jim Shaw's installation “Dream Object,” and Chinese artist Xiaochun Miao's “Microcosmos.”

If you are the kind of person who wants to enjoy art outdoors, focus on the Sea Art Festival section. Under the title “Voyage without Boundaries,” the Sea Art Festival has more spectacle and various art forms.

A total of 77 artists from 27 countries are showing sculptures and installation works at Gwangalli Beach and the nearby street galleries.

Twenty-three artists are displaying their works in the Gwangalli Beach area, four at Geumnyeonsan Subway Station, and 50 at Millak-dong Me World.

The Me World exhibition will show a multitude of distinguished video works to stimulate audiences' imaginations.

At Gwangalli Beach, contemporary and eco-friendly works of art made out of environmentally friendly materials invite visitors or anyone passing by to indulge and interact, as many works displayed this year will only be made complete through the participation of spectators.

This is free of charge.

Among the works on the beach and the nearby subway and cultural centers near Gwangalli are Thai artist Nipan Oranniwesna's “City of Ghosts” and Korean artists Oum Jeong-soon's “Walking in Mandala” and Yang Ju-hae's art on the sand. Nightly performances will be held on the beach throughout the duration of the biennale.

Making the most of its outdoor space, APEC Naru Park in Busan showcases sculpture-centered art pieces placed along the lakeside and forest trails in a perfect blend of art and nature, aimed at spreading the concept of public art.

With the theme “Avant-Garden,” it shows 20 sculptures by artists from 13 countries.

A couple of the interesting works in the park are “Ancestor” by American sculptor Robert Morris.

The Busan Biennale all-day pass costs 7,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for university students, 4,000 won for students aged 12-17 and 3,000 won for students aged 7-11.

Visit www.busanbiennale.org (Korean, English) or call (051) 888-6601 to 9.

 

The source of news : Korea.net