An installation view of
An installation view of"Frames of Architecture" at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)

When it comes to architecture, one might think only of spatial structures and building design. The exhibition at Nam-Seoul Museum of Art expands on such perceptions, offering a view that emphasizes cultural context through video art.

“Frames of Architecture” shows video works created by architects or artists, each reflecting different themes relating to architecture. Among the eight featured artists, architects and collectives is New York-based architecture studio MOS Architects, whose strength lies in the integration of architecture, art and urban design.

Their video work “The Romance of Systems” shows a long take that continues unbroken over the length of an architectural model -- which takes is motif from the studio’s design “Element House” -- without changes in camera perspective or tempo.

Accompanying the footage is a dialogue between architects who represent opposing positions. Emphasizing form or function, their discussion continues day and night. The video ends with a romantic harmony between the two, alluding metaphorically to the integration of form and function as a key running theme in architecture.

“We wanted to give (viewers) a chance to see architecture as a means to contemplate the world that we are living in through diverse perspectives from artists and architects,” said Choi Eun-ju, director of SeMA.

“Stream Line” by Nana & Felix (Provided by Seoul Museum of Art)
“Stream Line” by Nana & Felix (Provided by Seoul Museum of Art)

The Korean-Finnish artist duo Nana & Felix, whose works often critically question part of Korean society, such as the “development first” mentality, presents “Stream Line.” This video work features seven monitors simultaneously presenting images of rivers and streams that run through the Seoul metropolitan area.

“The waters of rivers and streams represent the lowest perspectives on earth, and the work records the images seen while moving along them -- the high-rise buildings, bridges, subways, highways and other urban structures as well as the plants growing in between,” the artist duo wrote on the artwork.

Nam-Seoul Museum of Art is one of four branches of Seoul Museum of Art operated by Seoul city council. "Frames of Architecture" runs through June 1.