The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong is presenting its second 2025 Open Call Exhibition, titled "Alice · The Turtle, Rabbits beyond the Door," running from August 7 through September 20, 2025. This contemporary art exhibition features the works of Burgundy, an innovative Korean artist collective comprising four talented artists: LEE Jooyoung, KIM Myongjong, KIM Jeongwoo, and JEONG Woojin.
The exhibition explores the complex and interconnected concepts of identity and transformation through the powerful symbolic metaphor of the door. Drawing creative inspiration from Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and the traditional Korean folktale "Byeoljubu-jeon," the artists present characters who serve as transitional figures crossing thresholds into unfamiliar and mysterious realms. The exhibition positions Hong Kong itself as a metaphorical door—a cultural and historical crossroads that serves as an entry point into the unknown.
The titular figures—Alice, The Turtle, and Rabbits beyond the Door—are inspired by the erratic and enigmatic rabbits found in folklore who dive through rabbit holes or traverse vast oceans. These characters evoke profound feelings of dislocation, wonder, and the process of becoming something new. Each artist brings their unique perspective and artistic approach to this overarching theme.
LEE Jooyoung's work delves into the ambivalent nature of language as a mediator between sensory experience and action. Her contributions to the exhibition include the compelling video piece "Wading Through" (2025) and the intricate carbon paper drawing series "murmur" (2025). Through these works, she visualizes language's potential for liberation while simultaneously exploring its resistance to fixed meaning through techniques of repetition and delay.
KIM Myongjong takes a different approach by dissolving traditional boundaries between various media to interrogate contradictions and abnormalities present in contemporary society. His notable works in the exhibition include "Theater of Dream Shadows" (2025) and "The Yubuldo Chanting (Canteen)" series (2025). The latter features neon signs inscribed with characters symbolizing the philosophical worlds of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, attempting to articulate what comes after the moment when humanity faces the concept of utopia.
KIM Jeongwoo's artistic practice investigates the complex tension between image and materiality in painting. Through his works "0" (2025) and "Fragmented" (2025), he expands and fragments the fundamental components of painting, effectively transforming the entire exhibition space into an environment where viewers can physically engage with and sensorially immerse themselves in the artworks. His approach challenges traditional notions of how audiences interact with visual art.
JEONG Woojin's practice is deeply rooted in contemplating the intricate relationship between humans and their surrounding environment. Her work creates visual representations of the subtle emotional and existential shifts that occur as personal and collective identity is continuously shaped and reshaped through external conditions. She employs diverse materials and artistic forms to express this ongoing transformation process.
The exhibition's opening reception took place on August 7 from 6 to 8 PM, featuring a special artist tour conducted by all four collective members at 7 PM. This provided visitors with direct insight into the artists' creative processes and conceptual frameworks.
The Korean Cultural Center's annual Open Call project serves as a crucial initiative aimed at introducing emerging Korean artists and curators to Hong Kong's vibrant art scene. Working alongside the Korean Young Artists Series, this program continues to function as a key platform for discovering promising talents and providing essential support for their entry into the competitive international art market. The initiative reflects South Korea's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and promoting its contemporary artistic voice on the global stage.
