Art Center Nabi is pleased to announce an exhibiton 《Mirage of US》 as a part of showcase of 〈Nabi Artist Residency 2023〉 conducted from this summer to fall. 〈Nabi Artist Residency〉, since 2016, discovers new media artists every year to explore the possibilities of technology and art and to expand their network. In 2023, we have partnership with Misk Art Institute in Saudi Arabia through an exchange program. In 《Mirage of US》, new works by media artist Jake Davidson and Misk Art Institute exchange artist Obaid Al Safi will be introduced. 

Date | Oct. 18 ~ 27, 2023 

Venue | Art Center Nabi (4th Floor, SK Building, 26 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)

Artists | Jake Davidson, Obaid Al Safi 

Hours | Mon-Fri, 11am – 6pm 

Admission Fee | Free 

For Inquiries | info@nabi.or.kr 

Events 

Opening Lunch Party | Oct. 18. Wed 11am – 2pm  

Artist Presentation | Oct. 20. Fri 4pm  

Mirage of US 

In May 2023, endemic was declared. It has been 3-4 years since after the first domestic infection in January 2020.  

With the onset of the pandemic, individual health was prioritized over community health, and every country closed its doors for the safety of its citizens. The days of being lockdown feel like a distant past, however technically, the declaration of the endemic was only 5 months ago. 

The three years of the pandemic were enough to not only change people's daily habits but also their beliefs and philosophies. Sharing became perceived as a bad custom of the past, and the priority shifted more prominently towards individual hygiene and rights. While physical barriers seemed to disappear with the transition to an endemic, the barriers of communication remained firmly stand. People gradually became accustomed to isolated life, focusing more on one-self emotions than on shared feelings. Communication transformed from a necessity to a matter of choice. 

At this juncture, there's a desire to re-examine "us." Jake Davidson challenges the viewpoint of artworks, suggesting they should be interpreted from a plural rather than singular perspective. Drawing inspiration from the goggle experiments of early 20th-century psychologist Theodor Erismann, he seeks to explore the intersection of visual malleability and societal change. Through this, he highlights our dependency on vision and investigates what is currently at risk in the media environment through a "co-gazing." 

Selected as an exchange artist with Misk Art Institute, Obaid Al Safi presents the interaction between the 'visible' and the 'invisible'. He explores ancient cave paintings, petroglyphs in desert rock, and other archaeological sites, aiming to find harmony between modern humanity and the materiality of prehistoric times. His work reveals a blurring of boundaries, suggesting an organic unity that prompts viewers to question their place within a vast woven structure. 

The exhibition, "Mirage of US," encapsulates messages conveyed through diverse perspectives on "us." Through this exhibit, there is hope that visitors will have the opportunity to reflect on the ongoing conflicts and issues faced by individuals. 

Credits 

Director | Soh Yeong Roh 

Curator | Jackie Kim 

Coordinator | Seungyoun Lee   

Technical Support | Junho Choi   

Partner | Misk Art Institute from Saudi Arabia  

Sponser | CROWN GOOSE