Visiting a foreign country is an exciting experience, but when one has to live away from home, that too for a very long time, things become difficult. One tends to miss that homey feeling and being surrounded by loved ones.
An exhibition titled ‘Here and Now’ is currently underway at the Korean Cultural Centre. It showcases the works of 13 Korean and Indian artists, with each expressing what it is like to live in India.
Kim Won-hee, the curator of the exhibition, comments on the theme saying, “Over time, it has become well-suited to the situation of Koreans living and creating art ‘here' and ‘now’ in India. Various subjects capturing the feeling of living in India as a Korean — who experience a different culture and environment — have emerged.”
So how is the Indian experience for them? On that, Won-hee comments, “The amplified emotions of nature and people that you cannot find in Korea, similarities in Indian culture, and the homogeneity and heterogeneity of culture — appear on the screen.” The curator also notices how the artists depict their longing for the nature of Korea, self-portraits that they discovered in India, and memories of Korean tradition, in this exhibition.
When one looks at these works, they may feel a sense of loneliness in them, to which Kim adds, “The artworks express the stillness thoroughly. Also, Koreans living here have left their loved ones, relatives and friends in Korea. It's only a new relationship even in Korean society. Therefore, I think loneliness and alienation are natural consequences.”
These works represent a sense of commonality that is seen in the two countries. And even the curator observes the same. She adds, “I can find the commonality between the two countries in family, love, loneliness and alienation as a human being, interest in humans, especially children and women, thousands of years of history and unique culture, primary colours, nostalgia for memories, wonders for nature, and journeys for beauty.”
Some of the works at the exhibition include My sweet city Gurgaon by Erika Jang, where she captures scenes of Delhi’s satellite city. Talking more on the painting, she says, “The artwork describes colourful, vibrant people, and the buildings of Gurgaon. It contains affection and warmth in mundane daily life while delivering a lyrical and witty image of the common people.”
Another work speaks on is Lee Moon-Hee’s artwork From David Hokny-Son and I. It displays how gadgets have become a priority. The curator adds, “The artist has depicted her feeling of loneliness by portraying his son sitting next to him, busy in his world of gadgets. This feeling of loneliness is encountered by almost everyone these days.”
— The exhibition is ongoing till November 10
