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Strengthening his artistic position through three Gwangju Biennales (4th, 5th, 8th)
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Im Heung-soon, who previously showcased his work at the Gwangju Biennale, won Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale, becoming the first Korean artist to win the award.
Im Heung-soon participated in the art exhibition of the 56th Venice Biennale 2015 (May 9-Nov 22) and received Silver Lion, the highest award ever received by a Korean artist, announced Gwangju Biennale Foundation in Venice on May 9.
Im took part in three Gwangju Biennales - 4th Gwangju Biennale 2002 ('Pause'), 5th Gwangju Biennale 2004 ('A grain of dust, a drop of water'), and 8th Gwangju Biennale 2010 ('10,000 lives')- and has become a promising documentary film director during the course.
Im showcased his video artwork 'Remembrance' that deals with lives of the underprivileged at the 8th Gwangju Biennale 2010. On the continuum, his 95 minute film, 'Factory Complex', which was shot in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam to touch on Asian women's labor issues, was highly accredited by international art scene. Korean artist's winning such a prestigious award at the Venice Biennale of 200 year history implies enhanced status of Korean contemporary art in the world.
At the award ceremony, Im Heung-soon said, "I participated in Gwangju Biennale three times and such experiences helped me grow as an artist. Gwangju Biennale actually raised me."
President of Gwangju Biennale Foundation, Park Yang-woo, has also attended the ceremony to congratulate Im and listened to future plans of his works.
President Park said, "Gwangju Biennale's efforts for international networking and support for growth of artists are showing results. It proves Korea's contemporary art is growing and becoming competitive in the world."
Meanwhile, overseas promotion session of Gwangju Biennale was successfully held at 7:30 pm (local time) on May 8, with participation of some 70 international and Korean guests. Gwangju Biennale's new system and CI were introduced along with the direction of the next year event. Attendants shared a variety of ideas at the event. In particular, next year's exhibitions are aimed to combine innovation which is original spirit of Biennale, progressive spirit of Gwangju, and pluralism of contemporary art. Role of providing a stage for cultural implementation will be emphasized by linking visual art and humanities & social science, bringing expectations of international art scene.
After the promotion session, president Park, Yang-woo actively communicated with attendees on Korea's contemporary art. He had meetings with Okwyi Enwezor (general director of Gwangju Biennale 2008, general director of Venice Biennale 2015), Massimiliano Gioni (general director of Gwangju Biennale 2010, general director of Venice Biennale 2013), Jessica Morgan (general director of Gwangju Biennale 2014), and Annette Kulenkompff (Kassel Documenta CEO). He also cheered Korean artists, Lee, Mary and Lee, Lee-nam by visiting their exhibitions.
At the 56th Venice Biennale, there was participation of quite a few promising artists who previously took part in Gwangju Biennales, which proves the current status of Gwangju Biennale. Okwyi Enwezor is the general director of Venice Biennale 2015. He was actually the general director of Gwangju Biennale 2008. Lee, Yong-woo, former president of Gwangju Biennale Foundation, was also invited to be a judge.
At the Venice Architecture Biennale held last year, Cho, Min-suk showcased Korean Pavillion and won the highest award, Gold Lion. He is also an artist who participated in Gwanju Design Beinnale