A groundbreaking exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) features the innovative work of Korean artist Tzusoo, who creates and nurtures living creatures to explore profound questions about birth, existence, and the meaning of life. The exhibition marks the inaugural presentation of the annual MMCA x LG OLED series, a collaborative project designed to support and showcase digital art.
At the center of the Seoul Box, the museum's main exhibition space, sits a mysterious and captivating translucent object covered with moss. This unique creation, titled "Agarmon 5," is carefully positioned on a stainless steel installation equipped with an overhead lamp, while the floor beneath is thoughtfully covered with stones. The creature itself is composed of agar and moss, representing a fusion of organic and artificial elements.
What makes this artwork particularly fascinating is the sophisticated life-support system that accompanies it. The Agarmon Incubator precisely controls water levels, humidity, and lighting conditions, creating an entirely artificial environment specifically designed to sustain the creature's life. This technological marvel demonstrates the intersection of art, science, and nurturing care.
Tzusoo, who made the personal decision to defer pregnancy and childbirth in order to pursue her artistic career, uses these creatures as a medium to question fundamental concepts of existence and life. Her commitment to these living artworks extends far beyond the exhibition period. "'Agarmon 5' will be taken care of somewhere even after the show," the artist explained during a presentation on Thursday. "Agarmon 1, 3 and 4 are already being looked after."
The artist's dedication to her creations is both touching and profound, as evidenced by her account of Agarmon 2's fate. "Agarmon 2 died as the environment was not suitable, and my dad, who took care of it, felt so sad and buried it in a mountain behind his house," she revealed, highlighting the emotional investment that both she and her family have in these living artworks.
The exhibition, titled "MMCA LG OLED Series 2025 – Tzusoo Agarmon Encyclopedia: Leaked Edition," represents the first installment of what will become an annual series supporting digital art through the collaboration between MMCA and LG OLED. This partnership provides selected artists with the opportunity to display their works in the prestigious Seoul Box, the central exhibition space at the state museum.
Tzusoo's conceptual framework for the Agarmon creatures is both provocative and deeply philosophical. "Agarmon is a monster born at the moment of orgasm – moments when sexual energy bursts," she explained. "We are living in a world where childbirth is no longer seen as a necessity, and those beings become nothing if they are not fertilized. So I discovered these entities and felt that I needed to protect them."
This statement reflects contemporary discussions about reproductive choices, the changing nature of family structures, and the artist's personal navigation of these complex societal shifts. By creating and caring for these alternative life forms, Tzusoo offers a unique perspective on nurturing, responsibility, and the creation of life outside traditional biological frameworks.
The exhibition extends beyond the physical Agarmon creature to include two compelling digital installations: "The Eight Spirits of Flesh – TAE" and "The Eight Spirits of Flesh – GAN." These digital works reveal the broader world surrounding the Agarmon, creating a comprehensive universe that exists both in physical and digital realms.
According to museum documentation, the concept of "The Eight Spirits of Flesh" draws inspiration from the eight trigrams, which are fundamental symbols in Chinese philosophy and cosmology. This connection adds layers of cultural and philosophical depth to the work, linking contemporary digital art with ancient wisdom traditions.
When discussing these digital creatures, Tzusoo emphasized their spiritual rather than religious nature. "They are spiritual creatures, not necessarily holy," she said while observing the moving images of creatures displayed in the digital installations. "Those spiritual creatures might appear again in my works in the future. Now there are two screens here, one for each spiritual creature, but it is interesting for me to imagine how they could make different synergy with more screens."
This forward-looking perspective suggests that the current exhibition represents just the beginning of a larger artistic exploration. The artist's vision for expanding the digital component of her work indicates potential for even more immersive and complex installations in future presentations.
The exhibition successfully combines multiple artistic mediums – living organisms, digital technology, sculptural installation, and conceptual art – to create a comprehensive exploration of life, death, and existence. Visitors encounter not just static artworks but living, breathing entities that require ongoing care and attention, challenging traditional notions of what art can be and do.
The timing of this exhibition is particularly relevant given contemporary global discussions about reproductive rights, climate change, and the role of technology in sustaining life. Tzusoo's work offers a unique artistic response to these pressing issues, creating alternative forms of life and family structures that exist outside conventional biological and social frameworks.
"MMCA LG OLED Series 2025 – Tzusoo Agarmon Encyclopedia: Leaked Edition" will remain on display through February 1, 2026, giving visitors an extended opportunity to engage with these living artworks and contemplate the profound questions they raise about existence, care, and the nature of life itself. The exhibition represents a significant milestone in the intersection of contemporary art, digital technology, and biological experimentation, establishing new possibilities for artistic expression and conceptual exploration.
