WEBZINE ACC

In the continuous flow of busy daily life, there are various gaps (teum). There are moments of taking a breath to compose oneself, known as a “breather.” There is also a certain level of familiarity in the lacuna that can be comforting, although it can be troublesome if it becomes too much. Even in concrete and asphalt, there are “crevices” where tiny forms of life can thrive. The “crack in the window” allows a refreshing breeze to enter a stuffy space. There is a balanced “space” in relationships so that a couple doesn't confine one another. A “break time” is something that everyone needs. And there are short moments when we can look up at the sky, relaxing. Without realizing it, we live relying on numerous “gaps."

The “gap” may seem trivial if we don't consciously acknowledge it, but without those small “gaps,” life can become a breathless race. An exhibition highlighting the profound value of the often overlooked “gaps” that we don't often think about in our daily lives has been organized at the ACC. In the 2023 ACC Open Call exhibition, titled Listening for the Voice of “TEUM”, the exhibition summons the “gaps” that have been lingering in the everyday surroundings to take on the role of protagonists. From the exhibition space to the artworks themselves, it showcases the theme of “gaps."

The exhibition Listening for the Voice of “TEUM” takes place in an unexpected location, not the familiar exhibition hall of the ACC. Open hall in the lobby of the ACC Theater. Primarily used as a waiting area or a place to take a short break before attending performances, the open hall is an empty space similar to a “gap” when not occupied by shows or performances. Since it serves as the in-between space connecting the art theater and the exhibition hall, there is no better place than this to showcase the concept of “gaps.” The “teum” (gaps) exhibition at the ACC explores our own gaps, both within the empty spaces of the ACC and the spaces in between that connect various places. In this exhibition, visitors can experience the artworks of two artists, Lee Eun-jeong and Yu Ji-won, who were selected through the open call in February. The two artworks, which encompass the spatial and temporal meanings of “gaps,” subtly enter into our gaps and speak to us. “What kind of gaps do you have in life?” Or perhaps they might ask, “What kind of gaps do you live for?”

If you ascend the stairs of the open hall in the art theater, unusual objects await. Five robust trees stand with their arms wide open, welcoming you. “The Tree of All” is a work born from the fingertips and toes of artist Lee Eun-jeong, rather than being rooted in the ground like traditional trees. Before the birth of this tree, the artist traveled across the country, observing numerous trees, caressing them, talking to them, and capturing them in photographs. The artist printed images of hundreds of trees and meticulously sewed them together, creating a patchwork that fills the spaces in between. While it takes the form of a single tree, “The Tree of All” embraces not just one, but hundreds of trees within its being. Taking it one step further, the artist connects the branches and trunks of the trees, merging them into a single entity. The five trees, each embracing numerous others, stand together as companions, forming a grand forest and connecting as a unified existence.

The artwork “The Tree of All” was inspired by the “Witness Tree” located at the ACC. These trees embody the memories of Gwangju, as they were hit by bullets during the May 18 Democratization Movement, serving as a physical reminder of the pro-democracy movement.

The artist has reinterpreted the symbolic significance of the “Witness Tree,” which carries the pain of the past, and recreated it within an indoor space, allowing all of us to witness them once again. Indeed, we also become witnesses as we connect with the trees. The use of red thread in the sewing process represents the bloodshed and the imagery of recovery in Gwangju during the 80s. The stitching marks, sewn throughout the artwork, appear as traces of healing, suturing, and recovery, as if they are mending the wounds in between. If you look closely, the initial amazement of “How was this all stitched together?” gradually transforms into a deep sense of awe and emotional resonance. The efforts of the artist to tirelessly sew, connecting one existence to another, bridging the gaps between them, as well as the completed form of the artwork itself, are truly moving. The dedicated time and effort effortlessly find their way into the gaps of our hearts, bringing forth stories and conversations. As if it's trying to say that all beings in the world are connected in this way...

The artworks installed on the white walls of the open hall resemble remnants left behind, as if demolishing an architectural site. “Phantasmagoria” by artist Yu Ji-won is a piece composed of special cardboard building material, torn and ripped apart, meticulously crafted one by one, and then reassembled on the wall surface. The title of the artwork, “Phantasmagoria” is a concept mentioned by philosopher Walter Benjamin and carries meanings such as unreality, phantasm, illusion, and life flashing before one's eyes. Through the artwork, the artist aims to convey moments of illumination, akin to the phenomenon of life flashing before one's eyes, where they enter the gaps of perception and understanding.

The fragments remaining after the demolition of the building open up “gaps of time” right before our eyes. The time gap between the constant production of new buildings due to development and the frequent abandonment of discarded architecture. The gaps of time represent not only the fast-paced consumption and discarding habits of modern society but also the rapid pace of change within cities. The artist explicitly reveals the remnants of our discarded past, prompting us to question ourselves. As we easily discard, we should question what we truly gain from it and consider if we are losing more valuable things than what we obtain through development. It is an artwork that invites us to peek into the gaps between the present and the past, as well as the gaps within our thoughts.

The 2023 ACC Open Call exhibition, Listening for the Voice of “TEUM” will run from Sep. 14 until the last day of the year, Dec. 31. As the exhibition takes place outside of formal exhibition spaces and in open spaces, it can be enjoyed with a lighter and more comfortable atmosphere. It would be wonderful to take a stroll, following the autumn breeze, and explore the gaps of time and gaps in our hearts for a brief moment. Indeed, it can become a time when greater joy finds its way through the spaces in between.