By Woo Jae-yeon
The 1908 poem, ending with the powerful line: “You must change your life,” captures the essence of transformation through art.
“Rather than prescribing how to change, it opens up the possibility of transformation,” said artistic director Ho Tzu Nyen at a Seoul press conference, outlining the festival’s vision.
“Viewers and readers are urged to change, finding their individual paths,” he explained. “The Biennale explores change as an artistic method, allowing artists, thinkers, and enthusiasts to experiment with new forms of life, creativity, power, and relationships.”
Gwangju, a city synonymous with change and practice, is the ideal setting for this exploration. “There is no better place to contemplate change than Gwangju, a city whose history of democratic struggle continues to resonate globally,” he stated.
“Here, change is not theoretical; it is lived history.”
This year’s Biennale features a deliberately curated selection of artists, focusing on “intensity” over “accumulation.”
“Our goal is to deepen engagement by showcasing multiple works from each artist,” he said, highlighting the evolution of artistic practice over time.
Ho Tzu Nyen, a Singaporean media artist and filmmaker renowned for his exploration of Asian history and mythology, previously participated in the Gwangju Biennale in 2018 and 2021. He represented Singapore at the Venice Biennale in 2011, and his films have been featured at prestigious international film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, and Busan for his 2009 feature “Here.”
Reflecting on his connection to Gwangju, he expressed that he accepted the invitation with “little hesitation.”
“It was almost instinctive. The city and its history resonate deeply with me.”
Having worked on a project commissioned for a past Gwangju Biennale, he noted, “I had the opportunity to immerse myself and learn about the city’s history. I was deeply moved by the heroism of the people who stood up and resisted,” referring to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising.
Ho is collaborating with curators Che Kyongfa, Park Ga-hee, and Brian Kuan Wood for the 16th edition, running from September 5 to November 15.
Featured artists include Daisuke Kosugi, Mona Benyamin, Melvin Moti, Christian Nyampeta, Kwon Byungjun, and Park Chang-kyong.
