`Dissonant Visions` offers mix of spectacle and introspection

"Dissonant Visions" besieges the viewer with a whirl of diverse media in the new exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art. A modern art collection from 21 artists explores the nature of the monster in the individual and society. The pieces vary in material and subject matter but all force the viewer to examine our society with a critical eye.

The exhibit is divided into three sections: "Dystopia and Apocalypse," "Forbidden Land" and "The Monster within Me." Together, they take the age-old idea of the monster and recast it in the light of the present and future.

"The works explore the uncertainty of our present time. With all of the new scientific technology, life seems on the surface to be improving, but underneath, the truth is that this is not a utopia but a dystopia," said curator Yang Hyeh-sook.



For example, a series of photographic collages by Park Bul-ddong blends images of soldiers, naked bodies and missiles to put a human face on terror.

The Korean title of the exhibition, "The Age of Monsters," better reflects this revulsion towards modern society, but the dissonance is obvious in the varied uses of ordinary images that belie a deep fear of time and self.

Black, white and grey dominate the exhibition but splashes of color -- a crimson carpet, a spring green leaf -- refresh the eye. Although the artists employ various techniques, the overall effect is one of grotesque fantasy so that the occasional photographic print is jarring in its reality. The great diversity of inspirations and media wards off monotony even as the theme of monsters and dissonance gives a gloomy coherence to the collection.

Artist Ji Yong-ho transforms used tires into sculptures of beasts to dramatic effect. "Jaguar 8" and "Jaguar 5" exude a coiled ferocity. "Bull 1" is gargantuan and powerful with its head bowed and horns pointed as if ready to attack.

Multimedia installations offer a fresh -- and loud -- alternative to paintings and sculptures. An animation by Kim Joon called "Prajna," which is Sanskrit for "wisdom," is set to a soundtrack of serene chanting occasionally interrupted by explosions.

Another video by Lee Wan competes for the ear with Johann Strauss` "The Blue Danube" playing repeatedly. The piece, "DEI GRATIA" (Latin for "by the grace of God"), features a video of a rotating display on which parades a succession of random objects. Scattered throughout are random objects such as jewelry boxes, coffee cups and, most strikingly, a dead bird that is slowly eaten away by maggots until nothing remains but a skeleton.

Highlights include Jun Mi-soo`s "Flowers" series, a surreal combination of striking human portraits and vividly colored flowers, and Lee Seung-oh`s "Mummy Series," a whimsical mockery of the preserved insects found in natural history museums.

Yang specifically developed the summer exhibit to attract kids and students on vacation. "The idea was to give the kids a bit of spectacle with these monsters."

However, "the exhibit is not just for children," she added. "We wanted to dig deeper and dispel the one-sided view that people have of monsters. Our purpose is to broaden perceptions. We live in a dissonant age. It`s out of the reach of these artists to propose a solution, but maybe through their art some of the pressing issues can at least be examined. "

"Dissonant Visions" is on display at the Seoul Museum of Art until Aug. 30. Admission for adults is 700 won. Seniors and children under the age of 19 are free. Visit www.seoulmoa.org for more information.

By Eunice Hong