KWON HAYOUN

This exhibition marks Hayoun KWON’s first presentation in China. The title of the exhibition, Si proche et pourtant si loin embodies the sentiment of an eternal separation in spite of something seems close but is in fact far away. Due to various factors such as political issues and foreign relations, certain areas of the world are access prohibited to most people. However, a way of arriving at these unattainable sites would be through the technology of virtual reality. Hayoun KWON borrows others’ memories and VR technology to emanate the viewer into a real imagined experience. With these moving-images rich in imagination, the artist has caught the attention of the global art world.

Hayoun KWON’s artworks embark on spatial explorations of people’s memories. These spaces often share one common characteristic—where the artist has not personally experienced and only exist in others’ memories. Prior to making these works, KWON spends a lot of time and energy in surveying her subjects, and conducting interviews with those who have been to these prohibited areas, or collecting and analysing the immense amount of materials they have left behind. Then, with which, she begins to make works of art. The participation of the others, the uniqueness of documentary film, 3D animation, and features of VR experience allow Hayoun KWON to articulate the real and the surreal aspects of her works.

This solo exhibition will present Hayoun KWON’s four video works and one VR work, the exhibition will open on February 28, 2019, at 5 pm, at Arario Gallery Shanghai.