emirates7 - Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) have unveiled *Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits – Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today*. This landmark exhibition will spotlight the evolution of Korea’s avant-garde art scene and will be hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 16 May to 30 June 2025.
The exhibition is the first major presentation of Korean contemporary art in the GCC and marks the beginning of a significant three-year partnership between ADMAF and SeMA. Jointly curated by Kyung-hwan Yeo of SeMA and independent curator Maya El Khalil, the exhibition showcases 48 pieces by 29 Korean artists—from trailblazers like Nam June Paik and Park Hyunki to renowned contemporary names such as Lee Bul, Haegue Yang, Ayoung Kim, and Moka Lee. Inspired by Nam June Paik’s phrase “We Are in Open Circuits,” the exhibition reimagines media not just as material but as a communicative system that crosses boundaries of time, technology, and identity.
Spanning over six decades, the artworks—many of which are making their UAE debut—reflect how Korean artists have responded to sweeping societal and technological changes. From the experimental media works of the 1960s and 70s to today’s immersive digital environments, the exhibition examines how media influences our understanding of memory, identity, and human connection. The earlier works wrestle with themes of transformation and self-definition, while more recent pieces explore the sensory body, virtual presence, and the impact of evolving tools and media on perception. As the exhibition progresses, it delves into collective memory, identity formation, and the intricacies of the digital world, offering compelling insights into the human condition.
Accompanying the exhibition is *Layered Dialogues*, a publication featuring contributions from writers based in the UAE, further enriching the cultural exchange between Korea and the Emirates. The exhibition design, led by Formafantasma, enhances the curatorial narrative through thoughtful material choices and spatial composition. A robust public programme—including talks, film screenings, and performances—will engage audiences in dialogue and exploration, with additional details to be released online soon.
This ambitious exhibition is part of a broader collaborative initiative between ADMAF and SeMA to deepen cultural connections between South Korea and the UAE. Following its Abu Dhabi premiere, a second exhibition, *Intense Proximities*, will open in Seoul at SeMA in December 2025, spotlighting three generations of artists from the UAE.
The exhibition is the first major presentation of Korean contemporary art in the GCC and marks the beginning of a significant three-year partnership between ADMAF and SeMA. Jointly curated by Kyung-hwan Yeo of SeMA and independent curator Maya El Khalil, the exhibition showcases 48 pieces by 29 Korean artists—from trailblazers like Nam June Paik and Park Hyunki to renowned contemporary names such as Lee Bul, Haegue Yang, Ayoung Kim, and Moka Lee. Inspired by Nam June Paik’s phrase “We Are in Open Circuits,” the exhibition reimagines media not just as material but as a communicative system that crosses boundaries of time, technology, and identity.
Spanning over six decades, the artworks—many of which are making their UAE debut—reflect how Korean artists have responded to sweeping societal and technological changes. From the experimental media works of the 1960s and 70s to today’s immersive digital environments, the exhibition examines how media influences our understanding of memory, identity, and human connection. The earlier works wrestle with themes of transformation and self-definition, while more recent pieces explore the sensory body, virtual presence, and the impact of evolving tools and media on perception. As the exhibition progresses, it delves into collective memory, identity formation, and the intricacies of the digital world, offering compelling insights into the human condition.
Accompanying the exhibition is *Layered Dialogues*, a publication featuring contributions from writers based in the UAE, further enriching the cultural exchange between Korea and the Emirates. The exhibition design, led by Formafantasma, enhances the curatorial narrative through thoughtful material choices and spatial composition. A robust public programme—including talks, film screenings, and performances—will engage audiences in dialogue and exploration, with additional details to be released online soon.
This ambitious exhibition is part of a broader collaborative initiative between ADMAF and SeMA to deepen cultural connections between South Korea and the UAE. Following its Abu Dhabi premiere, a second exhibition, *Intense Proximities*, will open in Seoul at SeMA in December 2025, spotlighting three generations of artists from the UAE.