Juree Kim,
Castle (1),2025 ©Juree
KimBoan1942 is presenting the first
half-yearly curated exhibition, 《Earth’s Treasure》, at Artspace Boan until May 18. This exhibition focuses on soil,
a fundamental element that shapes the material world of the Earth, proposing
new perspectives on its significance.
In ancient Indigenous cultures, land, sea,
and sky were seen as one, and humans were understood as beings who traverse
physical, natural, and spiritual realms. It was believed that soil transforms
into humans, humans into animals, and animals back into soil, forming a
continuous cycle of the soul. This perception remains deeply embedded in our
lives and history, reflecting humanity’s role as part of the world’s oldest
living culture and as beings who carry the memory of the land.
Eunkyung Lee, Early, 2022-2023 ©Jeongwoo Lee.
However, we are now facing a reality where
soil is disappearing at a much faster rate than it is being formed. We treat it
as if it were an infinite resource, recklessly depleting it, which in turn
disrupts its natural cycle and the countless living organisms within it,
leading to the collapse of its order. Soil is not merely the foundation upon
which we live—it is at the core of the continuous cycle of life and death,
deeply intertwined with the roots of our very souls.
Arong Chung, In the forest, 2024 ©Arong
ChungThe 《Earth’s Treasure》
exhibition seeks to offer a perspective that encourages us to reevaluate our
relationship with soil and to establish new connections rather than viewing it
through the lens of sacrifice. Participating artists—Juree Kim, Eunkyung Lee,
Eunyeoung Lee, and Arong Chung—explore the meaning of “soil” from their own
perspectives and share diverse viewpoints with the audience through their
artistic language.
Rather than perceiving the land merely as
the ground we inhabit, the exhibition urges us to recognize it as the
foundation of culture and a living entity interconnected with all life forms.
By reflecting on our responsibility for the sustainability of the Earth’s
fragile surface, it seeks to revive forgotten meanings and foster a renewed
awareness of our connection to the soil.
Participating Artists: Juree Kim, Eunkyung Lee,
Eunyeoung Lee, Arong Chung
