WEBZINE ACC

Beyond the Climate Crisis

According to the climate analysis results announced by the Korea Meteorological Administration for this summer (June to August), which was accompanied by prolonged heatwaves and record-breaking heavy rain, the average temperature in South Korea was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 1 degree higher than the average year. The number of heatwave days and tropical nights were 13.9 days and 8.1 days, respectively, which were more than the average year (10.7 days, 6.4 days). It is said that this year marks the third time in 51 years, since the Korea Meteorological Administration expanded its observation network nationwide in 1973, that the temperature has been higher than the average for all three months of summer. Indeed, it was an extremely hot summer, as we experienced ourselves.

Along with the heat, the nationwide average precipitation during summer was 291.2 mm higher than the average year, and the rainy season rainfall reached 660.2 mm, the third most since 1973. In particular, the southern region recorded a historic high of 712.3 mm for monsoon rainfall, and on July 14th, the cities of Gunsan in Jeollabuk-do and Mungyeong in Gyeongsangbuk-do experienced record-breaking heavy rain, becoming locations with the highest daily precipitation in history. Many people had to endure difficult times as unfortunate accidents occurred due to sudden heavy rain.

As everyone is aware, the issue of heatwaves is not unique to South Korea alone. The World Meteorological Organization stated that, “the Earth experienced the hottest three months in history,” and reported that temperatures in August increased by 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. One might ask whether a 1-2 degree increase is really that significant. When thinking about global warming, it’s often suggested to easily relate it to our own bodies. Our average body temperature is around 36.5 degrees Celsius. When our body temperature rises by 1.5 degrees or more, exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, we can experience symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, dizziness, and difficulty in moving our bodies. The Earth is likely experiencing an illness that it's currently struggling to endure.

According to the statistics on this summer’s heat, it ranked as the fourth hottest average temperature on record in Korea. So, we didn’t experience the hottest summer ever. However, the heat we have been experiencing is becoming increasingly severe. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “our planet has endured its hottest summer on record, and climate collapse has begun.” In the era of climate collapse, what does <The View of Hanui> aim to show us beyond this climate crisis?

The Present and Future of the Climate Crisis Explored through Art

The 2023 ACC outdoor exhibition <The View of Hanui> presents a new landscape that can refresh the perception of contemporary individuals facing the climate crisis, hinting at the sensation one feels when experiencing the cool and dry western wind referred to as “hanui” during hot summer days. The exhibition invites 11 teams/individuals of artists from Korea, Japan, and China to showcase their artistic approaches to the climate crisis through outdoor sculptures along with media facade artwork at the Fire Road and Hanul Madang Media Cube.

This exhibition aims to raise awareness and contemplation about the environmental destruction we face and explore aesthetic practices in the era of the climate crisis. Transforming the outdoor spaces of the venue into a painting where distant, middle, and close views coexist, it presents the landscape of the climate crisis in a multi-layered manner. The exhibition consists of three themes: The View of Nature Itself; The View Changed by Humans; and A New Landscape in the Era of the Climate Crisis. You can look around a wide range of works of art including installation art, video art, and upcycled furniture.

For the distant view, which represents the natural landscape as it is, the Japanese Drift Collective and Korean artist Lee Lee-nam participated. The two media artworks that will be screened on Fire Lane from 6 PM to 9 PM depict the floating icebergs and the “Irworobongdo” through which they evoke the sublime beauty and magnificence of nature in its pristine state before the climate crisis.

In the second part, the middle view, the exhibition reinterprets the ever-changing landscapes around us, altered by human intervention, showcasing the new landscapes of nature transformed by human influence. The middle view, featuring the participation of Park Hun-kyu & Lee Sun-kyung, Seoul Express, Studio 1750, and Feng Chiachung, showcases artistic landscapes related to global warming, air pollution, genetic mutation, and genetic modification. These artworks are exhibited in venues such as Hanul Madang Media Cube and the Shadow Shelter in Asia Plaza.

Lastly, the close view presents the new landscapes of the climate crisis, imagining contemporary approaches to addressing the climate crisis and envisioning the future of humanity through artworks by artists Kim Ha-neul, Park Cheon-kang, Kim Nam-joo & Ji Kang-il, Lifethings, and Han Seok-hyun. Under the Grand Canopy at Hanul Madang, visitors can encounter Park Cheon-kang’s artwork that explores alternative approaches to temporary pavilions that generate large amounts of architectural waste. Additionally, Kim Ha-neul’s Organic Series, consisting of upcycled furniture made from discarded masks, greets the audience.

On the open field above the crepe-myrtle forest, Kim Nam-joo & Ji Kang-il provoke questions about future architecture that minimizes waste and stimulates our imagination through their artwork “Gentle Preparation.” In Asia Plaza, “Centreefugal Park” by Lifethings rejects heavy and expensive anti-environmental materials, presenting a new roof structure that changes with the strength of the wind. In addition, Han Seok-hyun’s “Tree Again,” gathers discarded wooden furniture and transforms them back into the form of trees, showcasing the imagination of the future landscape through artistic means.

A Stroll through ACC Following the “Hanui”

The seemingly endless heat has finally subsided, and now a cool breeze blows in the mornings and evenings. As the end of August approached, there were expectations that this year’s so-called “Cheoseo Magic” (a combination of Cheoseo, or the 14th solar term, and magic) would not occur due to the continued heatwave warnings. However, as if on cue, it rained the day before, and on the evening of Cheoseo, we felt the dry and cool autumn breeze.

The exhibition <The View of Hanui> which runs from Sep. 14 to Nov. 19, takes its title from the refreshing hanui (westerly wind), a cool breeze that spurs the end of summer. “Hanui” is a term used by sailors to refer to the west, and “hanui baram” refers to the cool and dry wind that blows from the west on clear days. The hanui baram, which blows away the humid and hot winds that particularly troubled us this summer, literally refreshed us and brought us to autumn. Just as the hanui baram blows away the hot and humid winds, we hope that nature can continue to benefit and function properly for all of us. Through this exhibition, we encourage you to take a slow walk through the ACC, appreciating the refreshing essence of autumn and reflect on the climate crisis.

To fully appreciate the exhibitions of <The View of Hanui> taking place throughout various locations in ACC, such as Asia Plaza, Fire Road, Hanul Madang, Grand Canopy, Hanul Madang Media Cube, and the Open Field, it is important to have plenty of time and plan accordingly. Especially for the media artwork, it is essential to check the screening schedules to ensure that you don’t miss out on fully experiencing the exhibitions. Currently, you can experience Park Hun-kyu & Lee Sun-kyung’s “The Last Memorial Stone” at Hanul Madang Media Cube between 10 AM and 11 AM, as well as between 2 PM and 3 PM. The artworks by Seoul Express can be viewed starting in October.

Furthermore, there will be an artist talk with the participating artist, Drift Collective, where you can learn about the process of creating their artwork and explore what icebergs mean to humanity. This talk will take place on Nov. 8, and we recommend participating if you are interested in actively learning more about the climate crisis. If you have further inquiries regarding the exhibition, including detailed information about the artwork and screening schedules, we highly recommend visiting the ACC website for more information!

Go to the ACC WebsiteClick to visit the page.