July 29, 2024 - On view at the Il Giardino Bianco Art Space in Venice, Italy, the Gwangju Biennale’s 30th-anniversary archive exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us has captured international attention since its opening on April 20. Park Yang-woo, President of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, shares that the exhibition has successfully amplified the spirit of Gwangju to the world, echoing the institution’s goal to explore and emphasize contemporary issues and discussions through themed exhibitions. To accompany this Collateral Event at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, the Foundation initiated an internship program in partnership with Ca’ Foscari University in Venice starting July 9, further fostering connections in the local community. Prominent Global Visitors Resonate with Gwangju Biennale’s History and Values The exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us has attracted more than 10,000 visitors from across the globe, including key opinion leaders in the art world such as Nicolas Bourriaud, Artistic Director of the 15th Gwangju Biennale; Cecilia Alemani, Artistic Director of the 59th Venice Biennale; Jacob Fabricius, Co-Artistic Director of the 60th Venice Biennale’s Korea Pavilion; and Seolhui Lee, Chief Curator of Kunsthal Aarhus in Denmark and former curator at Seoul Museum of Art. Visitors have shared that they developed a deeper understanding of the history, values, and visions of the Gwangju Biennale through the exhibition. At the opening ceremony on April 18, a jumeokbap (a type of traditional Korean rice ball) performance symbolizing the Gwangju community honored the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in Gwangju. The historically significant food was recreated live on site and shared among event attendees, reviving the spirit of solidarity and community from 30 years ago. At the exhibition hall, Tin Pot from the May 18 Archives symbolized the unity of the Gwangju community, as it was used by mothers in the city during the Movement to store the rice balls in order to distribute them to the civilian militia. Internship Program in Venice Launched on July 9 The Gwangju Biennale Foundation launched an internship program in Venice on July 9 to engage local college students, thus strengthening community connections in the region. Welcoming students who are interested in Korean arts and culture, the program runs from July 9 to November 24, aiming to introduce the Gwangju Biennale to a wider international audience and to foster deep connections with the younger generations. After a thorough selection process in May, the Foundation welcomed undergraduate and graduate students from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice as interns to engage in various activities, including leading tours in English and Italian, assisting the on-site team, conducting research on artists showcased in Madang: Where We Become Us, and producing short videos on the artworks and programs. A Themed Discourse Program Takes Place Each Month Madang Dialogue," a discourse program with themes surrounding the exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us, has successfully taken place in Venice, Seoul, and Gwangju, collectively exploring the role and future of the Gwangju Biennale. Coinciding with the exhibition opening in Venice, the April session “Do Biennales Weather?” brought together speakers to examine the past and present of biennales, questioning how it should be uniquely recognized and archived in comparison to other biennales. The session was moderated by Sooyoung Leam. Artists Ayoung Kim and Sylbee Kim and curators Davide Quadrio, Hans D. Christ, Joanne Kim and Nathalie Boseul Shin discussed methodologies for adapting to shifts in cultural contexts, engaging international audiences, and addressing contemporary social issues with participants. On May 20, the Foundation hosted another session at the Total Museum of Contemporary Art (TMCA) in Seoul. Themed “Do Biennales Weather? The Untold Stories,” the program facilitated discussions on the significance of the Gwangju Biennale, and hosted debates on overcoming challenges to envision a better future for biennales around the world. From July to November, Madang Dialogue will continue to take place monthly in Gwangju and Seoul. Documentary Film on the 30 Years of the Gwangju Biennale
As reflected in its title, the Gwangju Biennale’s 30th-anniversary archive exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us serves as a madang (communal gathering space) through visual arts. Stressing the contemporary relevance of the Biennale, the exhibition features a rich display of archived materials and collections. A highlight on view is the documentary film Gwangju Biennale: 30 Years of Perspective, which includes interviews with past curators and artists. The documentary is on display through ongoing screening at the exhibition, as well as streaming on the Foundation’s official YouTube channel. President Park notes, “The exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us has received favorable responses and is doing well. We want this exhibition to be a madang that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Gwangju Biennale and offer a special opportunity for us to come together and reconnect.” |
