Layered Medium: We Are In Open Circuits Exhibition Showcases Contemporary Korean Art In Abu Dhabi

On 15th May, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, opened the exhibition ‘Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits – Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today’ at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, and Jae Song-yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE.

The exhibition is a significant cultural collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA). It marks the first large-scale showcase of contemporary Korean art in the Middle East and will run until 30th June 2025. This initiative aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for cultural exchange and dialogue.

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Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak highlighted that hosting this exhibition strengthens cultural relations between the UAE and South Korea. He stated, "Hosting this exhibition in Abu Dhabi reaffirms the depth of cultural relations between the UAE and the Republic of South Korea. It embodies the vision of our wise leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in strengthening soft power and cultural diplomacy efforts."

The exhibition features 48 works by pioneering South Korean artists. These pieces span six decades and reflect how artists have responded to social and technological changes in Korea. The artworks offer a dynamic experience through diverse mediums, encouraging discussions on identity, society, and technology's role in contemporary life.

Huda Alkhamis, Founder of ADMAF, expressed that this exhibition demonstrates how culture complements diplomacy. She said, "The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) exhibition...is proof that culture complements the path of diplomacy...Embracing values and connecting cultures." This partnership with SeMA sets a precedent for international collaborations.

Eunju Choi from SeMA noted that this is the most extensive presentation of Korean contemporary art in the GCC region. She mentioned that it includes works like Nam June Paik’s Self-Portrait Dharma Wheel (1998) and Ayoung Kim’s Delivery Dancer’s Sphere (2022), offering insights into Korean media art's legacy and future directions.

Future Exhibitions Planned

In December 2025, SeMA will host an exhibition titled Intense Proximities at its Seosomun Main Branch. This event will introduce contemporary art from the UAE to Korean audiences. Eunju Choi added that these exhibitions aim to foster understanding between art communities globally.

The exhibition is part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, supported by principal partners like Mubadala Investment Company. Co-curated by Kyung-hwan Yeo from SeMA and Maya El Khalil, it presents SeMA’s collection for the first time in the UAE.

Exploring Artistic Connections

The exhibition draws on Nam June Paik's idea that we are in open circuits—a concept reflecting our interconnected world. It explores how art communicates across different mediums and contexts. Situated in Abu Dhabi's cultural landscape adds new dimensions to these works.

A publication titled ‘Layered Dialogues’ will accompany the exhibition. It features texts by UAE-based writers to deepen cultural exchanges between Korea and the UAE. The spatial design by Formafantasma enhances this conceptual framework through material storytelling.

This long-term partnership between ADMAF and SeMA aims to foster ongoing cultural dialogue between both nations. Following its debut in Abu Dhabi, another co-curated exhibition will open at SeMA in Seoul in December 2025.

With inputs from WAM