Description: The artwork Blind & Mute 23-24 was exhibited in a historic exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean Arts Council and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Arko Art Center. This piece is also influenced by the Korean Modern and Contemporary History series by a painter from the People’s Art movement, which was exhibited at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in the 1990s during my growth as an artist in my 20s and 30s. It draws significant inspiration from the exploration of historical events, emotions, and memories, as well as experiences in the field, all of which deeply influenced and were reinterpreted in this work.
This piece is considered a video work that reflects deeply on human suffering and shares the spirit of the times, as it offers a social reflection on Korea’s past, present, and future—marked by conflict, confrontation, and anger. It serves as a kind of homage to the era.
The work explores the relationship between individuals and society, portraying people who, while capable of hearing and speaking, are blind to the world, or those who can see the present but cannot speak or hear, as well as the unstable and fluid nature of society. Additionally, through artistic expression, the piece raises questions about human connection, resilience, and the limitless potential of human expression beyond sight and sound.
The ultimate goal of this work is to recognize and honor the resilience and beauty of individuals who live with sensory challenges, delivering the depth of expression beyond words to the audience and expanding the realm of empathy with those who navigate the world differently. It is a powerful performance aiming to convey this message.
Kira Kim Kira Kim (born in 1974 in Daecheon, Chungnam, and currently residing in Seoul) completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in Painting and Sculpture at Kyungwon University (now Gachon University). He then earned a Master's degree in Fine Art and a Post-Diploma in Language and Cultural Studies Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London.
He has held numerous solo exhibitions, including "Mirage Palace" at the King’s Lynn Art Centre, UK, in 2006; "Republic of Propaganda" at Loop Gallery in 2008; "SUPER-MEGA-FACTORY" at Kukje Gallery in 2009; "Common Good_Climb Every Mountain" at Doosan Art Center in 2012; "The Last Leaf" at Perigee Gallery in Seoul in 2014; "Artist of the Year" at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2015; "Cubic Igloo" at ACC Gwangju Asia Culture Center in 2016; "X Love" at Boan1942 in 2019; and the "14th Gwangju Biennale Artist Party Project" in 2023, among others.
In addition to his 25 solo exhibitions, Kim Ki-ra has participated in numerous group exhibitions and biennales, including "Soft and Fragile Like Water" at the 14th Gwangju Biennale in 2023, "The Moving Moon Approaching Land" at the 3rd Jeju International Biennale, the Yeosu International Art Festival from 2018 to 2020, "Transfer 2011-2012 Korea-NRW" at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf and Kunstmuseum Osthaus Hagen in Germany, MOCA Taipei and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon and Seoul, the Seoul Museum of Art, Samsung Museum of Art, PLATEAU Samsung Museum, Spring Centre of Art in China, The Guild in Mumbai, the Liverpool Biennial in 2010, Minsheng Art Museum in Shanghai, Kunstverein Bochum in Germany, SantralIstanbul in Turkey, The Biennial of Graphic Arts in Slovenia, Prague Biennale at Karlin Hall in the Czech Republic, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Italy, the Nanjing Triennial at Nanjing Museum, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Argentina, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chile.
