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[News Article] INSPIRE debuts Korean contemporary art series with 'NEW STRUCTURE: PRISM'

2024.07.29

INSPIRE debuts Korean contemporary art series with 'NEW STRUCTURE: PRISM'

 

 

By Pyo Kyung-min, The Korea Times - Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort has unveiled its latest cultural offering, an art exhibition titled "NEW STRUCTURE: PRISM," featuring works of Korean sculptor and installation artist Gwon O-sang.

 

Housed in the integrated resort's Rotunda — a versatile circular hall known for its kinetic chandelier — the "NEW STRUCTURE: PRISM" exhibition marks the inaugural initiative of its "Inspire Art Series," a collaboration between the resort and The Trinity Gallery to showcase Korean art and artists to the global audience.

 

Gwon, the first artist of the project, has received international acclaim for his unique approach to sculpture, transforming two-dimensional photographs into three-dimensional sculptures and installations.

 

The Rotunda, a central feature of the resort, attracts visitors with its dynamic digital chandelier and Gwon's artworks. The chandelier, which moves up and down, projects changing imagery that enhances the environment. Gwon’s large-scale photographic sculptures, which offer new interpretations of everyday objects, further enrich this distinctive space by adding depth and dimension.

 

During an opening reception for the exhibition at the Inspire Resort's Rotunda, Yeongjong Island, Incheon, Thursday, Gwon graced the stage to express his gratitude in being able to kickstart the resort's new art series.

 

"I am delighted to hold the largest exhibition of 'New Structure' at Inspire. The Rotunda’s circular space will allow visitors to fully appreciate the diverse facets of 'New Structure,' delivering new perspectives and meanings," Gwon said.

 

The exhibition features seven of Gwon's large-scale works, including "New Structure 2 Shoes & Pineapple;" "New Structure 4 Prism & Macallan," commissioned by the whisky brand Macallan; and "New Structure 7 Star & Spoon," which criticizes modern capitalism.

 

Other works include "New Structure 14," reflecting contemporary imagery; "New Structure 8 Black Bird & Crystal," the largest piece in the exhibition; "New Structure 15," focusing on the physical properties of sculptural materials; and "New Structure 6 Key & Blue," inspired by Gwon’s travels to Okinawa.

 

The Inspire, located just 10 minutes from Incheon International Airport, is the first Asian outpost for the American casino and gaming company Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE). The resort offers a diverse range of artistic experiences, including the digital street Aurora. Aurora has gained popularity for its display featuring a giant pink whale swimming across a LED ceiling, which was shown in a Korea tourism promotion video starring K-pop group NewJeans.

 

Michael Jensen, CMO of Mohegan Inspire, highlighted the spatial relations between Gwon’s works and the resort during the reception, saying the Rotunda's kinetic chandelier and Gwon's dynamic sculptures "will create a unique and inspiring art experience."

 

"We aim to awaken artistic inspiration and new senses in visitors through collaborations with K-artists and diverse art content, from media art to contemporary art," Jensen said.

 

Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/07/690_379496.html