A Bright Future

The most relevant Korean exports to the world in the past decade are Korean-style telenovelas – subtitled/dubbed TV gems that are religiously followed worldwide, Pinkberry style frozen yogurt, and Samsung.  But those three aren’t the only ones anymore.  As Korea grows at astonishing rates, it is experiencing a golden age where the citizens want, expect, and create a high standard of living.  And like the ancient Greeks, they know how to show the world that they know exactly what they are doing – with art.  Their best bet has been to make site-specific, large art installations, like those LACMA and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston selected when organizing Your Bright Future: 12 Contemporary Artists from Korea.  This show features a handpicked group of both emerging and established Korean artists working directly with and around a Korean context.

This generation of artists has freedom to explore the international contemporary art scene while focusing their efforts on making sense of their place within and apart from the modern world beyond the Pacific. As seen in their artwork, political upheaval and turmoil have been largely a result of domestic growing pains. While on the other hand, tongue-in-cheek jabs on stereotypes or a subtle sense of humor peeks its head.

In the BP Grand Entrance, is HappyHappy, which is a crowd pleaser for sure.  Created by Choi Jeong-Hwa, the father of Korean pop art, thousands of cheap, colorful plastic baskets and bowls procured from local 99Cent stores are strung together and suspended from up high.  The effect is festive and dazzling.  Another highlight includes Do Ho Suh’s Fallen Star 1/5, a work featuring an incredible miniature modern house with a traditional Korean home crashing into the side.  The viewer is floored at the detail as s/he peers into each room filled with mini objets d’arte, Prismacolor colored pencils, and tiny slices of pizza.

Overall vibe of the show is witty, humorous, and genuinely hopeful.  It is a nod to the fact that LA is home to the largest Korean community outside of Korea. After checking out the show, grab some kimchi and shortribs, and call it an Angeleno day. Kogi, anyone?

-By Peter Lee

Your Bright Future will be at LACMA until September 20 and then it will travel to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.