Potential from the Unknown: Contemporary Art and Institutions

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) presents the international symposium “Potential from the Unknown: Contemporary Art and Institutions” on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Multi-Project Hall of MMCA Seoul.

This symposium commemorates the 10th anniversary of MMCA Seoul, which has played a pivotal role in Korean contemporary art since 2013. It aims to reflect on the role of an art museum as an open institution in harmony with the city, history, society, and contemporary art. The nine speakers, Alexander Alberro, Karen Archey, Boris Groys, ikkibawiKrrr, Jung Hyun, Kim Inhye, Seo Dongjin, Lucy Steeds, and David Teh, will present their thought-provoking works. These presenters are artists, curators, art critics, researchers, art historians, and philosophers who are prolifically working in diverse fields both inside and outside of South Korea. The objectives of this symposium are as follows; First, we examine the impact of standardization and globalization of institutions on contemporary art practices, triggered by contemporary society and cultural infrastructure; Second, considering how art history was institutionalized by a small number of privileged entities, we explore the trajectory of exhibition, criticism, and art theory that emerged in South Korea and Asia; Third, we focus on the value of knowledge production through organic interaction of each agent who constitutes the contemporary art system and envision the ecological prospect of the art museum of the future.  

The symposium consists of three panels: Panel 1 “After Institutions,” Panel 2 “From the Perspectives of Asia,” and Panel 3 “Ecological Exposure,” offering thematic presentations followed by discussion and Q&A.

Panel 1 “After Institutions” sheds light on the interrelationship between art museums and representative factors driving changes in contemporary institutions such as the internet and capitalism, and reflects on the future tasks of art museums. Philosopher Boris Groys (The European Graduate School, Saas-Fee, Switzerland) critically rethinks the altered status of art museum exhibitions in the internet era. Art theorist Seo Dongjin (Kaywon University of Art & Design, Gyeonggi-do, Korea) traces the impact of contemporary aesthetic experiences intertwined with the capitalist system on the practices of the art institution. Curator Karen Archey (Curator, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Netherlands) presents examples of institutionally critical work by artists of the generations that have emerged from the above foundations.

Panel 2 “From the Perspectives of Asia” investigates the history of institutionalized art by a small number of privileged entities from the perspective of contemporary Asia. Art critic and curator David Teh (National University of Singapore, Singapore) challenges notions of institutional critique from the perspective of Asia. Art historian Kim Inhye (Former Head of the Modern Art Department, MMCA, Korea) explores how to recall and reinterpret Korean colonial history in the context of contemporary art discourse. Art critic Jung Hyun (Inha University, Incheon, Korea) discusses how the interaction between art and various phenomena in 1990s South Korea including hybrid culture, cultural studies, and globalization has influenced art interpretation and production in the past and future.  

Panel 3 “Ecological Exposure” envisions the ecological prospect of the art museum of the future. Art historian Alexander Alberro (Columbia University, New York, USA) argues that interdisciplinary, process-oriented, and community-centered “project exhibitions” can radically transform the operation of art museums in the twenty-first century. Artist collective ikkibawiKrrr (Ko Gyeol, Kim Jungwon, Cho Jieun) introduces a case study of the collaboration between community and ecology based on their experience of studying the culture of haenyeo (Korean female divers) in Jeju Island. Curator and writer Lucy Steeds (University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK) shares her thoughts on the concept of “ecological responsibility” by comparing the practice of art with that of plants when both of them reproduce translocally. 

Ultimately, this event aims to revitalize intellectual exchanges inside and outside the art museum. It also seeks to reflect on the role and function of art institutions in the form of cultural criticism while establishing a starting point for the museum’s independent innovation. The fruitful outcome of the symposium will be published as a special issue of MMCA Studies, a research journal of the MMCA for a wider readership. We hope this symposium presents an opportunity to revisit the role and function of an art museum and to conduct further research for a sustainable museum in the future. The MMCA is dedicated to connecting contemporary societal and cultural discourse with the vision of the institution.

The symposium will provide live transcription services for all presentations and as well as sign language commentary for Korean presentations. While MMCA Seoul is accessible to all, everyone can also participate through the live broadcast of the MMCA Youtube channel. This is a new endeavor for the museum to broaden the diversity of its accessibility.