MMCA Showcases New Media Art in "Otherlands" Exhibition
Jason Yim / Published October 21, 2024 10:10 PM
Jason Yim
The installtion view of the exhibition, Courtesy of MMCA
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), has opened its latest exhibition, MMCA New Media Collection: Otherlands, which runs from September 10, 2024, to March 30, 2025. The exhibition, held at the museum’s Gwacheon branch, features three remarkable new media works from internationally renowned artists Doug Aitken, Eija-Liisa Ahtila, and Jennifer Steinkamp. These works, all donated to the museum within the past five years, offer visitors an opportunity to explore the evolving trends in new media art while highlighting the significance of art donations.
The exhibition, titled Otherlands, invites visitors to venture into "other lands"—metaphorical or alternative spaces created by the artists through their integration of nature and technology. The exhibition aims not only to introduce these new acquisitions but also to encourage reflection on the meaning of space, nature, and the environment in contemporary art. Through their works, Aitken, Ahtila, and Steinkamp challenge traditional concepts of reality, offering immersive and meditative experiences that transport the viewer into unfamiliar worlds.
A prominent theme across the works of all three artists is nature. In Underwater Pavilions (2017), Doug Aitken installs pavilion sculptures beneath the ocean’s surface, creating an otherworldly experience of underwater landscapes. As viewers engage with the shifting forms, they are encouraged to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature and the ocean’s hidden beauty. Eija-Liisa Ahtila’s Horizontal-Vaakasuora (2011) captures the subtle movements of wind, clouds, and light around a giant spruce tree, offering a quiet meditation on the transient aspects of the natural world. Meanwhile, Jennifer Steinkamp’s Still-Life 3 (2019) presents a virtual landscape where flowers and fruits seem to come alive, blurring the line between stillness and movement in a scene that is both familiar and surreal.
Beyond their focus on nature, the exhibition also delves into the meaning of space in its various forms. Aitken and Ahtila's works explore the idea of shared spaces where humans and nature coexist, emphasizing the importance of environmental consciousness. Steinkamp's work, on the other hand, examines the concept of space in a more abstract sense—within still-life compositions, virtual environments, and the personal space of women. These diverse interpretations of space invite viewers to consider their own relationship with the environments they inhabit, both physical and emotional.
The term "otherlands," as used in this exhibition, represents the multilayered dimensions of past, present, and future, merging natural and constructed worlds. While the artists’ works depict landscapes and environments that are recognizable, they simultaneously evoke alternate realities that challenge viewers to reimagine the familiar. The concept of "otherlands" encourages audiences to explore beyond what they see, seeking deeper meanings within the layers of space and time presented by the artworks.
The MMCA's decision to focus on these three international artists highlights the museum's commitment to promoting global contemporary art, particularly in the realm of new media. By showcasing donated works from prominent artists, the exhibition also emphasizes the importance of art philanthropy and the role it plays in enriching public collections. The Otherlands exhibition offers a platform to recognize the value of these donations while expanding the museum’s collection of cutting-edge, contemporary works.
As the exhibition continues through March 2025, it provides visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with new media art that reflects both technological advancements and a deep connection to nature. The combination of visual art and immersive technology encourages viewers to reflect on their relationship with the world around them, creating a space for contemplation and introspection.
In addition to introducing the works of these three artists, the exhibition offers a broader reflection on the evolution of new media art as a whole. The use of technology to reinterpret natural elements and spaces positions these works at the forefront of contemporary artistic exploration. By integrating digital techniques with traditional themes of nature and space, Aitken, Ahtila, and Steinkamp present a new paradigm for understanding the intersections of art, technology, and the environment.
The Otherlands exhibition thus serves as a vital part of the MMCA’s mission to promote innovative and thought-provoking art. Through its focus on new media, the exhibition not only expands the museum’s collection but also provides visitors with an engaging and meaningful experience, encouraging them to discover their own "otherlands" in the process.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of MMCA
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
The installtion view of the exhibition, Courtesy of MMCA
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), has opened its latest exhibition, MMCA New Media Collection: Otherlands, which runs from September 10, 2024, to March 30, 2025. The exhibition, held at the museum’s Gwacheon branch, features three remarkable new media works from internationally renowned artists Doug Aitken, Eija-Liisa Ahtila, and Jennifer Steinkamp. These works, all donated to the museum within the past five years, offer visitors an opportunity to explore the evolving trends in new media art while highlighting the significance of art donations.
The exhibition, titled Otherlands, invites visitors to venture into "other lands"—metaphorical or alternative spaces created by the artists through their integration of nature and technology. The exhibition aims not only to introduce these new acquisitions but also to encourage reflection on the meaning of space, nature, and the environment in contemporary art. Through their works, Aitken, Ahtila, and Steinkamp challenge traditional concepts of reality, offering immersive and meditative experiences that transport the viewer into unfamiliar worlds.
A prominent theme across the works of all three artists is nature. In Underwater Pavilions (2017), Doug Aitken installs pavilion sculptures beneath the ocean’s surface, creating an otherworldly experience of underwater landscapes. As viewers engage with the shifting forms, they are encouraged to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature and the ocean’s hidden beauty. Eija-Liisa Ahtila’s Horizontal-Vaakasuora (2011) captures the subtle movements of wind, clouds, and light around a giant spruce tree, offering a quiet meditation on the transient aspects of the natural world. Meanwhile, Jennifer Steinkamp’s Still-Life 3 (2019) presents a virtual landscape where flowers and fruits seem to come alive, blurring the line between stillness and movement in a scene that is both familiar and surreal.
Beyond their focus on nature, the exhibition also delves into the meaning of space in its various forms. Aitken and Ahtila's works explore the idea of shared spaces where humans and nature coexist, emphasizing the importance of environmental consciousness. Steinkamp's work, on the other hand, examines the concept of space in a more abstract sense—within still-life compositions, virtual environments, and the personal space of women. These diverse interpretations of space invite viewers to consider their own relationship with the environments they inhabit, both physical and emotional.
The term "otherlands," as used in this exhibition, represents the multilayered dimensions of past, present, and future, merging natural and constructed worlds. While the artists’ works depict landscapes and environments that are recognizable, they simultaneously evoke alternate realities that challenge viewers to reimagine the familiar. The concept of "otherlands" encourages audiences to explore beyond what they see, seeking deeper meanings within the layers of space and time presented by the artworks.
The MMCA's decision to focus on these three international artists highlights the museum's commitment to promoting global contemporary art, particularly in the realm of new media. By showcasing donated works from prominent artists, the exhibition also emphasizes the importance of art philanthropy and the role it plays in enriching public collections. The Otherlands exhibition offers a platform to recognize the value of these donations while expanding the museum’s collection of cutting-edge, contemporary works.
As the exhibition continues through March 2025, it provides visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with new media art that reflects both technological advancements and a deep connection to nature. The combination of visual art and immersive technology encourages viewers to reflect on their relationship with the world around them, creating a space for contemplation and introspection.
In addition to introducing the works of these three artists, the exhibition offers a broader reflection on the evolution of new media art as a whole. The use of technology to reinterpret natural elements and spaces positions these works at the forefront of contemporary artistic exploration. By integrating digital techniques with traditional themes of nature and space, Aitken, Ahtila, and Steinkamp present a new paradigm for understanding the intersections of art, technology, and the environment.
The Otherlands exhibition thus serves as a vital part of the MMCA’s mission to promote innovative and thought-provoking art. Through its focus on new media, the exhibition not only expands the museum’s collection but also provides visitors with an engaging and meaningful experience, encouraging them to discover their own "otherlands" in the process.
