KOREA FOUNDATION

[Review] ‘Light of ASEAN, One Community and Harmony’ Exhibition

The special exhibition Light of ASEAN, One Community and Harmony, currently running at the ASEAN Culture House in Busan, features two kinetic media installations, titled Breeze Fire and Mysterious Fire, that were created by media artist group SILO Lab. The artworks are an expression of the dynamic nature, harmony, and peacefulness of the ASEAN region.

In many ASEAN countries, lotus lanterns are lit up along the streets on festive days, and the nights are brightened by feasts of light that drive out the darkness. During the Lai Hua Fai festival in Lao PDR and the Thai Loi Krathong festival, rituals of light are performed by releasing paper lanterns up into the sky or floating flower-adorned baskets carrying candles down a river. In Myanmar, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns at the time of the Buddhist festival Thadingyut, illuminating the path of the Buddha.

From the ceiling of the exhibition hall hangs Breeze Fire, an installation of countless sky lanterns that have become icons of the ASEAN countries’ cultures. Next to it slowly flickers Mysterious Fire, made of about 270 incandescent bulbs projecting images symbolizing ASEAN. After appreciating the kinetic works, one visitor commented, “These works embody the ritualistic character of the lights shared by the ASEAN members, as well as the warm feeling of analog lights.” Another viewer said, “The lanterns are beautiful, and the lights reflected in the pool of water on the floor are enchanting.” Other visitors also left messages describing their impressions. One read, “The mirrors on the wall create an endless space, and the sky lanterns that float in the space create a dreamy atmosphere,” and another read, “I feel at peace, as if I were in meditation, as I listen to the music mixing insect-like natural sounds with the sounds of Asian traditional instruments and watch the gentle movement of the lights.”

ASEAN Culture House, Busan4/1-8/30
Performing Arts and Exhibition Department 051-775-2024hiyoo@kf.or.kr

ASEANExhibitionMedia_artHarmony