The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Pace Gallery
From August 28 to November 6, 2024, Pace Gallery in Geneva will host the first-ever Swiss exhibition of Lee Kun-Yong, a pioneering figure in Korean contemporary art. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience Lee’s groundbreaking approach to performance and painting, highlighting seven paintings and four works on paper from his Bodyscape series, as well as photographs documenting a 1976 performance. Lee, widely regarded as one of Korea’s most influential experimental artists, has consistently challenged the boundaries of art through his innovative use of the human body as a medium.
Lee’s career spans over five decades, with his practice rooted in the sociopolitical context of 1960s and 1970s South Korea, a time marked by martial law and restrictions on free expression. As a leading member of the Space and Time (ST) movement, Lee explored the relationship between art, time, and the physical presence of the artist. His Bodyscape series exemplifies his focus on bodily actions, where simple movements such as walking, reaching, or bending become tools for creating art. These works capture the transient nature of human movement, offering a visual record of actions that highlight both the limitations and expressive potential of the body.
Bodyscape 76-2-2017, Lee Kun Yong, Courtesy of the artist, Pace Gallery
Lee’s philosophy is reflected in his own words: “My art is not special. It’s about communicating with things that are close to us.” This accessibility makes his work resonate deeply with viewers, as they recognize the simplicity and universality of human gestures. The Bodyscape paintings, filled with the traces of Lee’s body, pulse with life. They reveal not only the physicality of the artist’s actions but also his meditative connection with his surroundings. His process transforms routine movements into profound artistic gestures.
In addition to his paintings, the exhibition will feature documentation of Lee’s 1976 performance, a pivotal moment in his career. This performance exemplifies Lee’s belief that art is as much about the act of creation as it is about the final product. His performances, often subtle and minimalist, explore the boundaries between artist, viewer, and space, asking us to reconsider how we experience time and movement.
Lee’s contributions to contemporary art have been recognized internationally. Earlier this year, his work was featured in the acclaimed exhibition Only the Young: Experimental Art in South Korea, 1960s-1970s, which traveled from Seoul’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. In August 2023, Lee revisited his iconic performance Snail's Gallop at Pace’s New York gallery, once again captivating audiences with his measured, deliberate movements.
The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Pace Gallery
The exhibition in Geneva marks a significant moment for Lee’s international presence, and to celebrate its opening, Swiss performance artist and curator John Armleder will deliver a lecture on Lee’s impact on performance art. Armleder, known for his Fluxus-inspired work and multidisciplinary approach, will provide insights into how Lee’s practice has shaped global dialogues on the role of the body in art.
Lee Kun-Yong’s career, from his early days as a founding member of the Space and Time group to his ongoing performances, is a testament to his dedication to exploring the connections between the body, time, and artistic expression. His Bodyscape series continues to evolve, offering viewers a chance to engage with the movement and energy of the human form in its most elemental state. As Lee continues to live and work in Seoul, his contributions to the art world remain as dynamic and influential as ever.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Pace Gallery
From August 28 to November 6, 2024, Pace Gallery in Geneva will host the first-ever Swiss exhibition of Lee Kun-Yong, a pioneering figure in Korean contemporary art. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience Lee’s groundbreaking approach to performance and painting, highlighting seven paintings and four works on paper from his Bodyscape series, as well as photographs documenting a 1976 performance. Lee, widely regarded as one of Korea’s most influential experimental artists, has consistently challenged the boundaries of art through his innovative use of the human body as a medium.
Lee’s career spans over five decades, with his practice rooted in the sociopolitical context of 1960s and 1970s South Korea, a time marked by martial law and restrictions on free expression. As a leading member of the Space and Time (ST) movement, Lee explored the relationship between art, time, and the physical presence of the artist. His Bodyscape series exemplifies his focus on bodily actions, where simple movements such as walking, reaching, or bending become tools for creating art. These works capture the transient nature of human movement, offering a visual record of actions that highlight both the limitations and expressive potential of the body.
Bodyscape 76-2-2017, Lee Kun Yong, Courtesy of the artist, Pace Gallery
Lee’s philosophy is reflected in his own words: “My art is not special. It’s about communicating with things that are close to us.” This accessibility makes his work resonate deeply with viewers, as they recognize the simplicity and universality of human gestures. The Bodyscape paintings, filled with the traces of Lee’s body, pulse with life. They reveal not only the physicality of the artist’s actions but also his meditative connection with his surroundings. His process transforms routine movements into profound artistic gestures.
In addition to his paintings, the exhibition will feature documentation of Lee’s 1976 performance, a pivotal moment in his career. This performance exemplifies Lee’s belief that art is as much about the act of creation as it is about the final product. His performances, often subtle and minimalist, explore the boundaries between artist, viewer, and space, asking us to reconsider how we experience time and movement.
Lee’s contributions to contemporary art have been recognized internationally. Earlier this year, his work was featured in the acclaimed exhibition Only the Young: Experimental Art in South Korea, 1960s-1970s, which traveled from Seoul’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. In August 2023, Lee revisited his iconic performance Snail's Gallop at Pace’s New York gallery, once again captivating audiences with his measured, deliberate movements.
The portrait of the artist, Courtesy of Pace Gallery
The exhibition in Geneva marks a significant moment for Lee’s international presence, and to celebrate its opening, Swiss performance artist and curator John Armleder will deliver a lecture on Lee’s impact on performance art. Armleder, known for his Fluxus-inspired work and multidisciplinary approach, will provide insights into how Lee’s practice has shaped global dialogues on the role of the body in art.
Lee Kun-Yong’s career, from his early days as a founding member of the Space and Time group to his ongoing performances, is a testament to his dedication to exploring the connections between the body, time, and artistic expression. His Bodyscape series continues to evolve, offering viewers a chance to engage with the movement and energy of the human form in its most elemental state. As Lee continues to live and work in Seoul, his contributions to the art world remain as dynamic and influential as ever.
