Axl Le, Joseph’s Midnight Party, 2024, 2k video with sound, 21’ 45", Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
The exhibition As the Sharp Narrative Fades, A Revealing Map Emerges Part 2 at Gallery Chosun in Seoul presents a bold exploration of geography, imagination, and collaborative art. Running from December 5, 2024, to January 25, 2025, this exhibition is the second installment of a Korea-France art exchange program with the French artist collective Le Wonder. The central theme, "Virtuality," anchors the collaboration of ten artists as they reimagine maps not as static representations of power, but as fluid frameworks for creativity and inquiry.
Maps, often seen as tools to delineate territories, are reconceived in this exhibition as mediums that uncover unknown spaces between boundaries. Unlike photographs or paintings that replicate reality, maps symbolize collective agreements, pointing to the gaps and uncharted territories between defined locations. The ten participating artists visualize the process of creating a shared map, not as a neatly divided image but as a landscape of cracks and fissures, inviting viewers to imagine new pathways and uncover hidden connections.
Pierre Gaignard, Grizaj hypermatlithophanie pour une ai V2, 2024, 3D, print PLA, LED neon 150 x 15 x 15 cm, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
The exhibition features three Korean artists—Jeong Jeong Ju, Yohan Han, and Choe Soo Ryeon—alongside international contributors such as Axl Le from China/Norway, and French artists including Martha-Maria Le Bars, Salim Santa Lucia, Antonin Hako, Elias Gama, François Dufeil, and Pierre Gaignard. Each artist delves into the idea of virtuality, a concept derived from the Latin virtus, meaning latent power. This philosophical lens examines how unrealized forces influence the tangible world, focusing on the unspoken yet impactful dynamics within boundaries.
Le Wonder, the collaborating French collective, operates from an abandoned factory near Paris, serving as a hub for experimentation. Unlike conventional art spaces, its loosely structured community of about 60 artists thrives on individual autonomy while functioning collectively. The group's unique model has evolved into an institution-like entity with administrative frameworks, reflecting its adaptability and growing influence.
Ombrelle-bleu-ciel_huile_sur_parapluie_diametre-120cm_Elias_Gama_2023, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
Gallery Chosun, known for championing experimental contemporary art, seeks to push the boundaries of the traditional gallery model. By partnering with Le Wonder, the gallery not only questions its role as a commercial space but also reimagines its function as a cultural mediator. This collaboration emphasizes sustainable practices that transcend market-driven dynamics, envisioning a realm where art exists beyond commodification.
The exhibition challenges audiences to rethink the political implications of geography and maps. By focusing on the "virtual" qualities of maps—representing potential rather than defined spaces—the artists highlight the uncharted possibilities within seemingly rigid structures. This reimagining of maps as tools of both division and imagination underscores their dual role as instruments of power and platforms for exploration.
François Dufeil, Cloches sous pression, 2022, Mixte media, Variable dimension, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
As the participating artists navigate between Korea and France, their works traverse cultural and geopolitical boundaries. The exhibition becomes a dialogue between two territories, offering a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of art and society. Through this collaborative journey, the artists challenge existing norms, inviting viewers to consider the unseen forces shaping our world and to imagine new landscapes beyond the visible.
Ultimately, As the Sharp Narrative Fades, A Revealing Map Emerges Part 2 is an ambitious venture that bridges cultures, disciplines, and perspectives. By dissolving traditional boundaries and embracing the latent power of the virtual, the exhibition offers a profound commentary on the intersections of art, politics, and imagination. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on their perceptions of mapped and unmapped spaces, discovering the hidden possibilities within the cracks of the known world.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
Axl Le, Joseph’s Midnight Party, 2024, 2k video with sound, 21’ 45", Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
The exhibition As the Sharp Narrative Fades, A Revealing Map Emerges Part 2 at Gallery Chosun in Seoul presents a bold exploration of geography, imagination, and collaborative art. Running from December 5, 2024, to January 25, 2025, this exhibition is the second installment of a Korea-France art exchange program with the French artist collective Le Wonder. The central theme, "Virtuality," anchors the collaboration of ten artists as they reimagine maps not as static representations of power, but as fluid frameworks for creativity and inquiry.
Maps, often seen as tools to delineate territories, are reconceived in this exhibition as mediums that uncover unknown spaces between boundaries. Unlike photographs or paintings that replicate reality, maps symbolize collective agreements, pointing to the gaps and uncharted territories between defined locations. The ten participating artists visualize the process of creating a shared map, not as a neatly divided image but as a landscape of cracks and fissures, inviting viewers to imagine new pathways and uncover hidden connections.
Pierre Gaignard, Grizaj hypermatlithophanie pour une ai V2, 2024, 3D, print PLA, LED neon 150 x 15 x 15 cm, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
The exhibition features three Korean artists—Jeong Jeong Ju, Yohan Han, and Choe Soo Ryeon—alongside international contributors such as Axl Le from China/Norway, and French artists including Martha-Maria Le Bars, Salim Santa Lucia, Antonin Hako, Elias Gama, François Dufeil, and Pierre Gaignard. Each artist delves into the idea of virtuality, a concept derived from the Latin virtus, meaning latent power. This philosophical lens examines how unrealized forces influence the tangible world, focusing on the unspoken yet impactful dynamics within boundaries.
Le Wonder, the collaborating French collective, operates from an abandoned factory near Paris, serving as a hub for experimentation. Unlike conventional art spaces, its loosely structured community of about 60 artists thrives on individual autonomy while functioning collectively. The group's unique model has evolved into an institution-like entity with administrative frameworks, reflecting its adaptability and growing influence.
Ombrelle-bleu-ciel_huile_sur_parapluie_diametre-120cm_Elias_Gama_2023, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
Gallery Chosun, known for championing experimental contemporary art, seeks to push the boundaries of the traditional gallery model. By partnering with Le Wonder, the gallery not only questions its role as a commercial space but also reimagines its function as a cultural mediator. This collaboration emphasizes sustainable practices that transcend market-driven dynamics, envisioning a realm where art exists beyond commodification.
The exhibition challenges audiences to rethink the political implications of geography and maps. By focusing on the "virtual" qualities of maps—representing potential rather than defined spaces—the artists highlight the uncharted possibilities within seemingly rigid structures. This reimagining of maps as tools of both division and imagination underscores their dual role as instruments of power and platforms for exploration.
François Dufeil, Cloches sous pression, 2022, Mixte media, Variable dimension, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
As the participating artists navigate between Korea and France, their works traverse cultural and geopolitical boundaries. The exhibition becomes a dialogue between two territories, offering a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of art and society. Through this collaborative journey, the artists challenge existing norms, inviting viewers to consider the unseen forces shaping our world and to imagine new landscapes beyond the visible.
Ultimately, As the Sharp Narrative Fades, A Revealing Map Emerges Part 2 is an ambitious venture that bridges cultures, disciplines, and perspectives. By dissolving traditional boundaries and embracing the latent power of the virtual, the exhibition offers a profound commentary on the intersections of art, politics, and imagination. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on their perceptions of mapped and unmapped spaces, discovering the hidden possibilities within the cracks of the known world.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Chosun
