The Museum Wave, in partnership with Ray Village, is set to host its final exhibition of 2024, AMULET - Blue Dragon: A Tale from Myth, from November 27 to December 29. This ambitious showcase gathers 30 prominent artists from diverse disciplines to reinterpret the mythical symbol of the dragon through a contemporary lens, presenting over 40 works that span traditional paintings, digital media, and NFT art.
The AMULET series, led by Ray Village, is an ongoing global art initiative inspired by the 12 zodiac animals of Eastern tradition. It has achieved significant acclaim with exhibitions in cities such as Seoul, Paris, and New York. This year’s focus on the blue dragon—marking the close of the Year of the Dragon—provides a unique opportunity to explore how mythology intersects with modern artistic innovation.
LEE LEE NAM, Gapjin Year - Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Gate, 2024, LED TV, single-channel video installation, color, sound·65inch, Courtesy of Museum Wave
Dragons hold a significant place in the mythology and art of both Eastern and Western cultures. In East Asia, dragons symbolize power, control over rain, and the authority of emperors. These associations have long inspired depictions in architecture, painting, ceramics, and literature. The exhibition builds upon these rich traditions, showcasing works that either faithfully render the dragon’s symbolic attributes or reinterpret them in innovative ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Participating artists include celebrated names such as Kang Hyung Gu, known for his masterful portraiture, and Kim Keun Joong, a leader in the modern popularization of traditional folk art. Other highlights include Lee Jae Sam, whose charcoal works bring light and shadow to life, and KOO (Gu Jun Yeop), whose digital and mixed-media experiments push the boundaries of artistic form. Their collective contributions not only celebrate the dragon as a cultural and mythical icon but also highlight the diversity and adaptability of contemporary Korean art.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Museum Wave
The exhibition invites audiences to consider the transformative power of art as it bridges tradition and modernity. By integrating classical techniques with cutting-edge digital tools, the artists provide new perspectives on the dragon as a symbol of resilience, transformation, and boundless creativity. The juxtaposition of traditional materials, such as charcoal and pigments, with innovative media like NFTs and digital installations, exemplifies the evolving nature of art in the 21st century.
This year marks the fifth installment of the AMULET art series, which aims to globalize Korean contemporary art by merging traditional symbols with modern artistic practices. The project’s integration of K-ART and entertainment reflects a growing trend in the art world to create works that are both culturally rooted and globally resonant. Through its exploration of the dragon, the exhibition underscores the universal relevance of myth as a vessel for human expression and cultural identity.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Museum Wave
Visitors will encounter a dynamic array of artistic interpretations, from the faithfully rendered dragons of traditionalists to the bold, abstract visions of contemporary artists. Works by Lee Yi Nam, who employs cutting-edge media art techniques, and Huh Hoi Tae, known for his "Emography" style that fuses Eastern philosophy with expressive brushwork, further expand the narrative possibilities of this mythical creature. Together, the artists craft a dialogue that traverses time, geography, and artistic disciplines, offering a multifaceted exploration of the dragon’s enduring allure.
AMULET - Blue Dragon also serves as a timely reflection on the cultural significance of symbols in a rapidly globalizing world. As the exhibition unfolds at the Museum Wave in Seoul, it invites both local and international audiences to engage with art that transcends cultural boundaries while remaining deeply connected to its origins. Through its fusion of history, myth, and modernity, the exhibition not only redefines the dragon’s place in contemporary art but also exemplifies the transformative potential of artistic collaboration and innovation.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
Courtesy of Museum Wave
The Museum Wave, in partnership with Ray Village, is set to host its final exhibition of 2024, AMULET - Blue Dragon: A Tale from Myth, from November 27 to December 29. This ambitious showcase gathers 30 prominent artists from diverse disciplines to reinterpret the mythical symbol of the dragon through a contemporary lens, presenting over 40 works that span traditional paintings, digital media, and NFT art.
The AMULET series, led by Ray Village, is an ongoing global art initiative inspired by the 12 zodiac animals of Eastern tradition. It has achieved significant acclaim with exhibitions in cities such as Seoul, Paris, and New York. This year’s focus on the blue dragon—marking the close of the Year of the Dragon—provides a unique opportunity to explore how mythology intersects with modern artistic innovation.
LEE LEE NAM, Gapjin Year - Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Gate, 2024, LED TV, single-channel video installation, color, sound·65inch, Courtesy of Museum Wave
Dragons hold a significant place in the mythology and art of both Eastern and Western cultures. In East Asia, dragons symbolize power, control over rain, and the authority of emperors. These associations have long inspired depictions in architecture, painting, ceramics, and literature. The exhibition builds upon these rich traditions, showcasing works that either faithfully render the dragon’s symbolic attributes or reinterpret them in innovative ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Participating artists include celebrated names such as Kang Hyung Gu, known for his masterful portraiture, and Kim Keun Joong, a leader in the modern popularization of traditional folk art. Other highlights include Lee Jae Sam, whose charcoal works bring light and shadow to life, and KOO (Gu Jun Yeop), whose digital and mixed-media experiments push the boundaries of artistic form. Their collective contributions not only celebrate the dragon as a cultural and mythical icon but also highlight the diversity and adaptability of contemporary Korean art.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Museum Wave
The exhibition invites audiences to consider the transformative power of art as it bridges tradition and modernity. By integrating classical techniques with cutting-edge digital tools, the artists provide new perspectives on the dragon as a symbol of resilience, transformation, and boundless creativity. The juxtaposition of traditional materials, such as charcoal and pigments, with innovative media like NFTs and digital installations, exemplifies the evolving nature of art in the 21st century.
This year marks the fifth installment of the AMULET art series, which aims to globalize Korean contemporary art by merging traditional symbols with modern artistic practices. The project’s integration of K-ART and entertainment reflects a growing trend in the art world to create works that are both culturally rooted and globally resonant. Through its exploration of the dragon, the exhibition underscores the universal relevance of myth as a vessel for human expression and cultural identity.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Museum Wave
Visitors will encounter a dynamic array of artistic interpretations, from the faithfully rendered dragons of traditionalists to the bold, abstract visions of contemporary artists. Works by Lee Yi Nam, who employs cutting-edge media art techniques, and Huh Hoi Tae, known for his "Emography" style that fuses Eastern philosophy with expressive brushwork, further expand the narrative possibilities of this mythical creature. Together, the artists craft a dialogue that traverses time, geography, and artistic disciplines, offering a multifaceted exploration of the dragon’s enduring allure.
AMULET - Blue Dragon also serves as a timely reflection on the cultural significance of symbols in a rapidly globalizing world. As the exhibition unfolds at the Museum Wave in Seoul, it invites both local and international audiences to engage with art that transcends cultural boundaries while remaining deeply connected to its origins. Through its fusion of history, myth, and modernity, the exhibition not only redefines the dragon’s place in contemporary art but also exemplifies the transformative potential of artistic collaboration and innovation.
