Where is the Liberated Space? Venice Korean Pavilion's Exhibition is Subtle and Puzzling

The Hankyoreh reviews the South Korean Pavilion's exhibition at the 2024 Venice Biennale, 'Liberated Spaces: Fortresses and Nests.' The exhibition, curated by Choi Bitna and featuring works by Choi Gogeun and Noh Hyeri, aims to capture the 'immense power' of the Korean people who have overcome periods of colonial rule, war, and authoritarianism.

The artists' works, such as Choi Gogeun's 'Meridian' and Noh Hyeri's 'Bearing,' utilize conceptual installations to represent themes of energy circulation, healing, and community. Noh Hyeri's 'Bearing,' for instance, creates 'nest-like' spaces using African fabrics, incorporating works that touch upon remembrance, mourning (like Han Kang's piece referencing the Jeju 4.3 Uprising), and collective care.

However, the review points out a potential disconnect for audiences unfamiliar with Korean history. While the exhibition's conceptual framework is rich, it offers few explicit historical clues or anchors. The Hankyoreh suggests that the exhibition relies heavily on the artists' sensitive imagery and the curator's conceptual arrangement, potentially limiting direct engagement with specific historical contexts or the broader narrative of Korean liberation. Despite this, the exhibition also marks a collaborative effort, extending a pipe installation into the Japanese Pavilion, symbolizing solidarity.