Sea Art Festival 2019 : Sea of Heartbreak

The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee (hereinafter referred to as the committee, executive director Seong-Youn Kim) has announced the list of participating artists for the Sea Art Festival 2019, which will be taking place a 30-day period from September 28 to October 27 at Dadaepo Beach in Busan. A total of 20 artists and artist teams from 12 countries will be coming together at the Sea Art Festival 2019 to present an exhibition of 21 artworks focusing on nature, ecology, and life.

Sea Art Festival 2019: looking back on nature and ecology co-existing with humankind
Establishing a unique exhibition format over past years with its use of the sea—Busan’s definitive natural environment—as its venue, the Sea Art Festival is attempting with its 2019 edition to reflect concerns about nature and ecology that have recently become major issues throughout the world. Through its 20 artists/artist teams from 12 countries and their 21 artworks, it broadens environmental issues into the realms of the individual, society, and humankind to examine the hidden scars underneath. The exhibition is also poised to explore alternative approaches for the things art is capable of showing in the context of our imperiled seas.

Pain, change, and regeneration: three stories connected to the sea
The theme of the Sea Art Festival 2019 is “Sea of Heartbreak,” inspired by a 1961 song of the same name by singer/songwriter Don Gibson. The exhibition uses heartbreak as a starting point to consider the transformations and regeneration that exist beyond it. In the song, the sea was a space symbolizing the pain of parting, whereas the “Sea of Heartbreak” highlighted in this exhibition represents both the natural environment and a space imbued with multiple layers of meaning, including its ecological and livelihood aspects. Divided into the three sections “Sea of Pain,” “Sea of Change,” and “Sea of Regeneration,” this year’s exhibition boasts increased participation from artists in neighboring countries that share the same seas as Korea, with a different narrative presented in each section.

Public participation programs presented by collective groups
The Sea Art Festival 2019 period will include various programs that depend on the participation of visitors. Activities related to the exhibition theme will be offered at the venue, affording a range of experiences with everything from climate change to the environment and cultural exchange. These programs are also tied to the aims of artistic director Seo Sangho, who seeks to meet the era’s demands for connectedness between art and life with an art festival venue that residents can also enjoy.

In addition to the exhibition, visitors will be given the opportunity for unique viewing experiences through academic and education programs, associated events, and more. More information about the different programs will be made available at a later date.

The initial list of artists is as follows:
Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan (the Philippines), Art Together (Hong Kong), Bounpaul Phothyzan (Laos), Choi Suhwan (South Korea), Enkhbold Togmidshirev (Mongolia), Hsiao-Chi Tsai & Kimiya Yoshikawa (Taiwan/Japan), Imhyeop (GIM Moongi, Yun Sungji, Yoon Heesoo,  South Korea), James Tapscott (Australia), Kabul & Mintio (Indonesia/Singapore), Kim Bokyung (South Korea), Lee Changjin (South Korea), Lee Seungsoo (South Korea), Lee Kwangkee (South Korea), Manish Lal Shreshtha (Nepal), Roe Dongsik (South Korea), Song Sungjin (South Korea), Sung Baeg (South Korea), Taitung Dawn Artist Village & Toko Studio (Taiwan), Tentacles (Thailand), The wild rabbit plays the tambourine in the art center (Park Sangho, Lee eunyeoung, and Jung yoonzoo, South Korea)