Exhibit Explores Immortality in Digital Era

"Immortality in the Cloud," a new exhibition at the Ilmin Museum of Art in central Seoul, explores how immortal values such as history, religion and love are interpreted and recorded in the digital environment.

The Korean title of the exhibit is literally translated into "immortal love," but the exhibit inclines to capture the desire for immortality in the digital era, instead of being romantic, through the works of six artists.

"The exhibit examines human's desire to be loved and remembered. The desire for immortality resulted in records and history. We explore how such desire is regenerated in the era of digital cloud in a contemporary context," curator Cho Ju-hyun said. "This year marks the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Movement and we aim to give a look at Korea's modern history from a fresh perspective."

French artist Fabien Verschaere unraveled his experience in Korea during his two week residency program.

He traveled Seoul, Busan and Jeju and drew various items he saw. These items were combined with Korean history and mythology and Verschaere created characters based on his research.

"Everyday is Your Birthday" is a combination of drawings and installations that invite viewers a part of the artwork. Visitors can take a souvenir photo with Verschaere's characters. Verschaere also painted his whimsical characters on inflatable tube dancers, juxtaposing those advertising air dancers as a contemporary revelation of totem poles.

Cho Eun-ji presents performance work "Dtang, Dtang, Dtang, the Mud Said," in which participants throw mud to a fake wall in the gallery.

"Throwing mud and dust could be interpreted as an act of resistance, but Cho stresses that mud is a fundamental element of nature as well as an indicator of wealth in capitalism," the curator...