Garden commemorates the first anniversary of MMCA, which has introduced a unique exhibition theme. Literally, the exhibition’s theme converges on the meaning of gardens. It consists of four main themes, as follows: “Encounter,” “Pause,” “Dialogue,” and “Wandering at Ease.” There are about 40 pieces of work, created by around 30 artists, including Kim Bo Hee, Moon Bong Sun, Kang Nam Mi, and Lee Jae Sam.

 

 

MMCA itself is a huge building. Its white and wide spaces strongly give visitors the impression of sheer modernity. Garden takes place at gallery 1, gallery 2, and the lobby. There are also a number of other exhibitions to watch after viewing Garden, including the Hanjin Shipping The Box Project 2014: Leandro Erlich and the exhibition Illusion and Fantasy. Bringing up some impressive installation arts at the very start, the gallery itself increases visitors’ expectations for the exhibition.

 

 

As soon as the visitors enter the ticket box, an enormous image of black pine trees on the ivory canvas can be seen. It is called “The Pine Tree – in Kyungju Samlung Songlim1,” drawn by Moon Bong Sun in 2012. Taking a close look, people will see rough, but also ironically and surprisingly delicate, depictions of tree leaves. Although monochrome, the picture seems to cover more than black and white, with light shades of grey mixed with dark grey, reminding of the trees under moonlight. Its presence draws the audience inside the calm pinetree forest at dusk.

 

Viewers are then greeted by a vast picture of a green forest, the background image of the sheer blue ocean captivating their eyes. “Those Days,” painted by Kim Bo Hee is full of green life. It seems to open gateways for the minds trapped in cement and concrete, letting in the fresh air of nature. Breeze tickles the overwhelming hearts of the viewers, soaking up their awe in the endless ocean waves.

 

Then the exhibition begins with its first theme, “Encounter.” A number of drawings and some installation arts are arrayed on walls of pale white. The works are vivid, and the colorful drawings and white walls create a unique harmony. As intense as their colors are, works in “Encounter” let the viewers meet various emotions and experiences. Some ubiquitous, some foregone, they incite the gateways to the inner, evoking memories of life. “Euphoria” by Lee Du Sik is somewhat abstract with violent sketches in multitude of colors. Filled with madness, the mixture of unfathomable emotions bursts on the artist’s canvas.

 

 

Visitors then “pause” to start “dialogues.” Gardens in this exhibition are portrayed as a place for rest, where worldly concerns and matters are put aside. In the section of “Pause,” a number of pine tree paintings are displayed. Paintings guide the visitors to the thick pine tree woods, the subject itself represented as the symbol of calmness. People pause to see paintings, at that very moment separating themselves from the outside. Pause moves onto dialogues, with the section “Dialogue.” People pause to heed their inner thoughts, engaging in the subliminal talks the works seem to generate.

 

The last section delivers perhaps the most essential function of gardens, which is wandering. It is the most basic thing people in gardens do. Gardens are made to wander in, and the works are thus displayed according to the moving lines of the viewers. Themes are also mainly in order, occasionally chronological. Among the works, “Ten windows, or One Day,” by Yoo Geun Taek, captivates the eye. Ten paintings of outside views are presented in window frames. Placed in seasonal order, they give the impression of the viewers encountering a new view through the windows, feeling time passing by as they walk, and nature changing its looks.

 

 

As people reach the end of the exhibition, the initial question of “Do you have a garden?” resurfaces. Garden is a space of comfort, an annex from the mundane and eye-spinning pace of modern life. Sip the art, and people will realize the peace forgotten in life. Realize the gardens in our lives, and peace will be there.

Exhibition Information Location: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul Open Hours: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (until 9 P. M .on Wednesdays and Saturdays) Date: October 21, 2014 to May 10, 2015 Admission: 4000 won (Free for those born after 1990 or current university students. student ID cards or other forms of ID for age verification)