A Note to the Exhibition "reallyGood, murder"

reallyGood murder # BIK0504, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

This series of works looks beneath the surface of the so-called weapons show, questioning what is hidden behind the high technology that we enjoy and admire today. At present, almost every enterprise boasting of its high technology produces weapons. The scale of the market sharply expands every year. Due to the strained relations between South and North Korea, South Korea was listed as one of the top importers in the international arms market. And yet it also developed into a “dark horse,” dramatically increasing the export of arms to the third world and countries in conflict. In one way or another, the current state of a divided Korea is indelibly associated with the weapons industry.

Perhaps reflecting this reality, South Korea is expanding various kinds of “weapon shows” quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Such grand-scale festivals take place as different objects and interests are entangled in the name of not just marketing weapons but also distributing positive images of military culture, recruiting special army forces, reinforcing the Korea-U.S. alliance, revitalizing the defense industry, providing performance and exhibition opportunities for local artists, fostering local sales, and educating children with learning experiences, etc. What is allowed here is the “admiration of weapons,” and what is prohibited is the “reflection” that the ultimate purpose of a weapon is “murder” and no one is an exception when it comes to its performance.

reallyGood murder # BIK2299, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK0428, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2402, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2401, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK0501, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2212, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK0404, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK0404, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2202, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK0444, 2008 Chŏllado, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2201, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK2201, 2009 Seoul, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

Exhibition Poster of reallyGood murder, 140 x 100cm, 2010, Sangsangmadang, Seoul

reallyGood murder # BIK1244, 2008 Kyŏnggido, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK1201, 2008 Kyŏnggido, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

reallyGood murder # BIK1804, 140 x 100cm, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 2008 Ch’ungch’ŏngdo

reallyGood murder # BIK1225, 2008 Kyŏnggido, Archival pigment print on fine art paper, 140 x 100cm.

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