7 July - 24 August, 2023
(Closed on Sunday, Monday, Holiday)
CHOI&CHOI Gallery, HORI Artspace, and AiF Art Management, in collaboration with Bermel von Luxburg Gallery, present 'From Berlin to Seoul: Crossing Horizons.' The exhibition celebrates a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Germany and Korea, marking 140 years of artistic dialogue, collaboration, and mutual inspiration between the two nations. Following the success of the group exhibition 'Berlin meets Seoul: Being Human' in Berlin last year, this collaborative endeavour features the works of eight Korean artists and eight German artists. Whilst each of the 16 artists displays a unique approach to conveying their visual narratives, they share a common exploration of identity and existence.
Through their diverse artworks, the artists offer a captivating glimpse into the contemporary art scenes of both countries, whilst unveiling the interconnectedness of the human experience and the universality of artistic expression. Either through their own personal experiences or by examining broader societal and cultural contexts, they explore how individuals define themselves and their place in the world, often challenging established norms and questioning social constructs.
Many artists delve into forms of societal and cultural structures, which serve as a recurring motif in their artworks. Ung Pil Byen's portraits deliberately omit specific details to investigate how societal constructs, rooted in appearances, influence our understanding of culture and identity. Ji hyung Song's site-specific installations explore communal reciprocity through audience participation, prompting viewers to contemplate their own identity within the context of social contracts and cultural practices.
Helena Parada Kim's Hanbok paintings, Jae Ho Jung's depictions of worn-out buildings, and Shinoh Nam's installations of architectural fragments all investigate the significance of cultural symbols. These works compel viewers to contemplate the interplay between individual and cultural identities and encourage reflection on collective histories and the ways in which we construct or deny them. They offer unique interpretations of the connection between objects and personal identities, shedding light on how conventions of the past continue to shape our lives today.
Some turn to the natural world to seek answers about our existence. Soyoung Chung’s conceptual installations examine how we define ourselves within the larger context of the world around us. Chung's exploration of identity expands beyond individual experiences to encompass the broader concept of our relationship with geopolitics or the laws of nature. Robert Pan creates abstract worlds evoking natural landscapes, celestial bodies, and chemical processes. Utilizing resin-based techniques influenced by nature and its processes, Pan explores new possibilities in embracing the natural world to advance one’s artistic vision.
Others like Peter Herrmann lean toward the mundanity of urban environments, depicting daily life situations, figures, city scenes, and everyday objects found in Germany’s bustling capital. Jee Hye Song transforms the absurdity of our domestic life and daily activities into unusual situations and scenarios. Their shared emphasis on both humour and mundanity prompt viewers to re-examine the significance of their own existence within the context of the ordinary. Fritz Bornstück reassembles mundane items discarded by civilization through the process of "cultural recycling," giving new meaning to once ordinary and unwanted, thereby highlighting the absurdity of society’s current system of values.
Some artists challenge our conventional understanding of reality altogether through their exploration of the environments that surround us. Susanne Rottenbacher's light sculptures and installations utilize light and colour to dissolve boundaries and challenge corporeality. These transformative spaces defy established perceptions of reality, inviting viewers to contemplate their own presence and existence. In a similar vein, Tae Soo Lee challenges our preconceived notions of the universe with his hyper-realistic sculptures. By manipulating materials and defying gravity, he disrupts our perception of the physical world, encouraging us, in turn, to reconsider our understanding of existence itself.
Explorations of the artists’ selves also manifests in their work. Sebastian Heiner taps into his personal history, drawing upon his first-hand experiences of witnessing the artistic principles from diverse cultures. He deftly weaves elements of Western and Eastern practices to complete his geometric tableaux of subconscious and forgotten dreams. Lev Khesin’s work explores his own identity as an artist, blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture. He uses silicone and pigments to create lumps of coloured substance with a depth resembling precious stones. Khesin challenges established rules of painting and urges others to embrace new possibilities in defining the art form.
Both Wonkun Jun and David Lehmann delve into the realm of emotions and self-expression through their respective styles. Their mutual focus on materiality and the painting process itself attests to their continued exploration of what it means to be a painter. Jun’s paintings manifest his sensitivity and emotions through colours, which were only achieved through repeatedly applying and removing layers of paint over the span of several months. He expresses his understanding of identity and existence as inherently connected to our emotions and how we perceive the world around us. Similarly, Lehmann captures his own intricate emotional and psychological states in his paintings, skilfully combining spontaneous brushstrokes and delicate touches to create a harmonious fusion of styles.
* Hosted by Sunhee Choi and Jinhee Choi (CHOI&CHOI Gallery), Mario Bermel and Aleksandra von Luxburg (Bermel von Luxburg Gallery), Nari Kim (HORI Artspace), Yoon-sub Kim (AiF Art Management)
* Sponsored by ONE MEDICS INDUSTRY
2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 90x90cm
David Lehmann, Die Lila Stunde2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 90x90cm
2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 80x80cm
David Lehmann, Die Seherin2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 80x80cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 120x140cm
Fritz Bornstück, Reclining Roots(Kraut und Rüben)2023, Oil on canvas, 120x140cm
2022, Oil and tube caps on canvas, 100x70cm
Fritz Bornstück, Betonknacker(Blauer Eisenhut)2022, Oil and tube caps on canvas, 100x70cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 140x100cm
Helena Parada Kim, Serapion2023, Oil on canvas, 140x100cm
2023, Oil on linen, 90x120cm
Helena Parada Kim, Pineapples, Pears and Biscuits2023, Oil on linen, 90x120cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 194x130.3cm
Jae Ho Jung, 동대문 아파트(Dongdaemun Apartment)2022, Oil on canvas, 194x130.3cm
2020, Acrylic on korean paper, 60x72.5cm
Jae Ho Jung, 바위샘 교회(Bawisam Church)2020, Acrylic on korean paper, 60x72.5cm
2022, Acrylic on linen, 180x160cm
Jee Hye Song, Sommer in der WG2022, Acrylic on linen, 180x160cm
2022, Acrylic on linen, 70x90cm
Jee Hye Song, How can I go home2022, Acrylic on linen, 70x90cm
2022, Organic soap, towel, towel rail, paper bag, dimensions variable
Ji Hyung Song, I REALLY DO CARE, DO U?2022, Organic soap, towel, towel rail, paper bag, dimensions variable
2022, Silicone and pigments on wood, 43x34cm
Lev Khesin, Foinch2022, Silicone and pigments on wood, 43x34cm
1994, Oil on canvas, 150x109cm
Peter Herrmann, Lady with an organ player1994, Oil on canvas, 150x109cm
2017, Oil on canvas, 185x185cm
Peter Herrmann, The Parliamentarians2017, Oil on canvas, 185x185cm
2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 120x100cm
Robert Pan, AG 6,851 EZ2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 120x100cm
2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 45x40cm
Robert Pan, NP 2,439 OS2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 45x40cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 200x130cm
Sebastian Heiner, The Ambassadors2023, Oil on canvas, 200x130cm
2018, Oil on canvas, 140x180cm
Sebastian Heiner, The Wanderers2018, Oil on canvas, 140x180cm
2022, Hand polished steel, steel, stainless steel, acryl glass, soft sponge, 250x80x200cm
Shinoh Nam, House of the Others : OMA- Truss-t? #42022, Hand polished steel, steel, stainless steel, acryl glass, soft sponge, 250x80x200cm
2022, powder coated aluminum, dimensions variable
Soyoung Chung, Sailor (Group)2022, powder coated aluminum, dimensions variable
2023, Acrylic glass, LED light tube, dichroic foil, transparent cable, table base with electrical supply, 60x35x30cm
Susanne Rottenbacher, Spiritelli2023, Acrylic glass, LED light tube, dichroic foil, transparent cable, table base with electrical supply, 60x35x30cm
2023, Mixed media(Acrylic panel and paint on wood, EPS, bronze, aluminium, concrete), 80x40x40cm
Tae Soo Lee, Stone Composition 0312023, Mixed media(Acrylic panel and paint on wood, EPS, bronze, aluminium, concrete), 80x40x40cm
2018, Acrylic on canvas, 100x80cm
Wonkun Jun, Untitled2018, Acrylic on canvas, 100x80cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
Ung Pil Byen, Someone2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
Ung Pil Byen, Someone2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
David Lehmann 데이비드 레만
Fritz Bornstück 프릿츠 본슈틱
Helena Parada Kim 헬레나 파라다 김
Jae Ho Jung 정재호
Jee Hye Song 송지혜
Ji Hyung Song 송지형
Lev Khesin 레프 케신
Peter Herrmann 피터 헤르만
Robert Pan 로버트 판
Sebastian Heiner 세바스티안 하이너
Shinoh Nam 남신오
Soyoung Chung 정소영
Susanne Rottenbacher 수잔느 로텐바허
Tae Soo Lee 이태수
Ung Pil Byen 변웅필
Wonkun Jun 전원근
7 July - 24 August, 2023
CHOI&CHOI Gallery, HORI Artspace, and AiF Art Management, in collaboration with Bermel von Luxburg Gallery, present 'From Berlin to Seoul: Crossing Horizons.' The exhibition celebrates a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Germany and Korea, marking 140 years of artistic dialogue, collaboration, and mutual inspiration between the two nations. Following the success of the group exhibition 'Berlin meets Seoul: Being Human' in Berlin last year, this collaborative endeavour features the works of eight Korean artists and eight German artists. Whilst each of the 16 artists displays a unique approach to conveying their visual narratives, they share a common exploration of identity and existence.
Through their diverse artworks, the artists offer a captivating glimpse into the contemporary art scenes of both countries, whilst unveiling the interconnectedness of the human experience and the universality of artistic expression. Either through their own personal experiences or by examining broader societal and cultural contexts, they explore how individuals define themselves and their place in the world, often challenging established norms and questioning social constructs.
Many artists delve into forms of societal and cultural structures, which serve as a recurring motif in their artworks. Ung Pil Byen's portraits deliberately omit specific details to investigate how societal constructs, rooted in appearances, influence our understanding of culture and identity. Ji hyung Song's site-specific installations explore communal reciprocity through audience participation, prompting viewers to contemplate their own identity within the context of social contracts and cultural practices.
Helena Parada Kim's Hanbok paintings, Jae Ho Jung's depictions of worn-out buildings, and Shinoh Nam's installations of architectural fragments all investigate the significance of cultural symbols. These works compel viewers to contemplate the interplay between individual and cultural identities and encourage reflection on collective histories and the ways in which we construct or deny them. They offer unique interpretations of the connection between objects and personal identities, shedding light on how conventions of the past continue to shape our lives today.
Some turn to the natural world to seek answers about our existence. Soyoung Chung’s conceptual installations examine how we define ourselves within the larger context of the world around us. Chung's exploration of identity expands beyond individual experiences to encompass the broader concept of our relationship with geopolitics or the laws of nature. Robert Pan creates abstract worlds evoking natural landscapes, celestial bodies, and chemical processes. Utilizing resin-based techniques influenced by nature and its processes, Pan explores new possibilities in embracing the natural world to advance one’s artistic vision.
Others like Peter Herrmann lean toward the mundanity of urban environments, depicting daily life situations, figures, city scenes, and everyday objects found in Germany’s bustling capital. Jee Hye Song transforms the absurdity of our domestic life and daily activities into unusual situations and scenarios. Their shared emphasis on both humour and mundanity prompt viewers to re-examine the significance of their own existence within the context of the ordinary. Fritz Bornstück reassembles mundane items discarded by civilization through the process of "cultural recycling," giving new meaning to once ordinary and unwanted, thereby highlighting the absurdity of society’s current system of values.
Some artists challenge our conventional understanding of reality altogether through their exploration of the environments that surround us. Susanne Rottenbacher's light sculptures and installations utilize light and colour to dissolve boundaries and challenge corporeality. These transformative spaces defy established perceptions of reality, inviting viewers to contemplate their own presence and existence. In a similar vein, Tae Soo Lee challenges our preconceived notions of the universe with his hyper-realistic sculptures. By manipulating materials and defying gravity, he disrupts our perception of the physical world, encouraging us, in turn, to reconsider our understanding of existence itself.
Explorations of the artists’ selves also manifests in their work. Sebastian Heiner taps into his personal history, drawing upon his first-hand experiences of witnessing the artistic principles from diverse cultures. He deftly weaves elements of Western and Eastern practices to complete his geometric tableaux of subconscious and forgotten dreams. Lev Khesin’s work explores his own identity as an artist, blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture. He uses silicone and pigments to create lumps of coloured substance with a depth resembling precious stones. Khesin challenges established rules of painting and urges others to embrace new possibilities in defining the art form.
Both Wonkun Jun and David Lehmann delve into the realm of emotions and self-expression through their respective styles. Their mutual focus on materiality and the painting process itself attests to their continued exploration of what it means to be a painter. Jun’s paintings manifest his sensitivity and emotions through colours, which were only achieved through repeatedly applying and removing layers of paint over the span of several months. He expresses his understanding of identity and existence as inherently connected to our emotions and how we perceive the world around us. Similarly, Lehmann captures his own intricate emotional and psychological states in his paintings, skilfully combining spontaneous brushstrokes and delicate touches to create a harmonious fusion of styles.
* Hosted by
Sunhee Choi and Jinhee Choi (CHOI&CHOI Gallery), Mario Bermel and Aleksandra von Luxburg (Bermel von Luxburg Gallery),
Nari Kim (HORI Artspace), Yoon-sub Kim (AiF Art Management)
* Sponsored by ONE MEDICS INDUSTRY
2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 90x90cm
David Lehmann, Die Lila Stunde2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 90x90cm
2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 80x80cm
David Lehmann, Die Seherin2023, Dispersion and oil on canvas, 80x80cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 120x140cm
Fritz Bornstück, Reclining Roots(Kraut und Rüben)2023, Oil on canvas, 120x140cm
2022, Oil and tube caps on canvas, 100x70cm
Fritz Bornstück, Betonknacker(Blauer Eisenhut)2022, Oil and tube caps on canvas, 100x70cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 140x100cm
Helena Parada Kim, Serapion2023, Oil on canvas, 140x100cm
2023, Oil on linen, 90x120cm
Helena Parada Kim, Pineapples, Pears and Biscuits2023, Oil on linen, 90x120cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 194x130.3cm
Jae Ho Jung, 동대문 아파트(Dongdaemun Apartment)2022, Oil on canvas, 194x130.3cm
2020, Acrylic on korean paper, 60x72.5cm
Jae Ho Jung, 바위샘 교회(Bawisam Church)2020, Acrylic on korean paper, 60x72.5cm
2022, Acrylic on linen, 180x160cm
Jee Hye Song, Sommer in der WG2022, Acrylic on linen, 180x160cm
2022, Acrylic on linen, 70x90cm
Jee Hye Song, How can I go home2022, Acrylic on linen, 70x90cm
2022, Organic soap, towel, towel rail, paper bag, dimensions variable
Ji Hyung Song, I REALLY DO CARE, DO U?2022, Organic soap, towel, towel rail, paper bag, dimensions variable
2022, Silicone and pigments on wood, 43x34cm
Lev Khesin, Foinch2022, Silicone and pigments on wood, 43x34cm
1994, Oil on canvas, 150x109cm
Peter Herrmann, Lady with an organ player1994, Oil on canvas, 150x109cm
2017, Oil on canvas, 185x185cm
Peter Herrmann, The Parliamentarians2017, Oil on canvas, 185x185cm
2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 120x100cm
Robert Pan, AG 6,851 EZ2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 120x100cm
2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 45x40cm
Robert Pan, NP 2,439 OS2021-2022, Acrylic, resin, mixed media, 45x40cm
2023, Oil on canvas, 200x130cm
Sebastian Heiner, The Ambassadors2023, Oil on canvas, 200x130cm
2018, Oil on canvas, 140x180cm
Sebastian Heiner, The Wanderers2018, Oil on canvas, 140x180cm
2022, Hand polished steel, steel, stainless steel, acryl glass, soft sponge, 250x80x200cm
Shinoh Nam, House of the Others : OMA- Truss-t? #42022, Hand polished steel, steel, stainless steel, acryl glass, soft sponge, 250x80x200cm
2022, powder coated aluminum, dimensions variable
Soyoung Chung, Sailor (Group)2022, powder coated aluminum, dimensions variable
2023, Acrylic glass, LED light tube, dichroic foil, transparent cable, table base with electrical supply, 60x35x30cm
Susanne Rottenbacher, Spiritelli2023, Acrylic glass, LED light tube, dichroic foil, transparent cable, table base with electrical supply, 60x35x30cm
2023, Mixed media(Acrylic panel and paint on wood, EPS, bronze, aluminium, concrete), 80x40x40cm
Tae Soo Lee, Stone Composition 0312023, Mixed media(Acrylic panel and paint on wood, EPS, bronze, aluminium, concrete), 80x40x40cm
2018, Acrylic on canvas, 100x80cm
Wonkun Jun, Untitled2018, Acrylic on canvas, 100x80cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
Ung Pil Byen, Someone2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
Ung Pil Byen, Someone2022, Oil on canvas, 180x150cm
David Lehmann 데이비드 레만
Fritz Bornstück 프릿츠 본슈틱
Helena Parada Kim 헬레나 파라다 김
Jae Ho Jung 정재호
Jee Hye Song 송지혜
Ji Hyung Song 송지형
Lev Khesin 레프 케신
Peter Herrmann 피터 헤르만
Robert Pan 로버트 판
Sebastian Heiner 세바스티안 하이너
Shinoh Nam 남신오
Soyoung Chung 정소영
Susanne Rottenbacher 수잔느 로텐바허
Tae Soo Lee 이태수
Ung Pil Byen 변웅필
Wonkun Jun 전원근