The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Imagining Post-Anthropocene, an immersive new exhibition exploring the convergence of humanity, technology, and ecology in a modern society shaped by colonial legacies and rapid technological progress. 

Featuring provocative works by Korean artists Yeon Sung and Junha Kim, this second show in the Nature's Echo exhibition series aims to illuminate the fluidity of human and non-human elements of society at the intersection of reality and fantasy. From human beings as environmental metric tools to mechanical body dysmorphia, this exhibition aims to provoke reflections on the evolving nature of humanity’s relationship with a not-so-natural environment. 

Imagining Post-Anthropocene launches with a public opening reception and guided tour by artist Yeon Sung on April 16 at 6:00 p.m. and will remain on view at the KCCDC through May 17, 2024, including extended evening hours for the local community event Art Walk Dupont on May 3 (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.). 

About the Artists

The artistic vision of Yeon Sung is embodied in her featured multimedia installation Weathering Ports. By integrating accessible technology and participatory performances, Sung strives to address colonial dynamics that limit marginalized communities’ access to resources and discourse participation. Her work thus aims to promote inclusivity in data sharing and discourse. Sung draws inspiration from her research into pollution in Europe's largest port, Maasvlakte in Rotterdam, and her installation features video documenting her journey to collect pollution data using a DIY apparatus. The audience is invited to participate in Sung’s data generation by replicating the process, and through such interactions the artist suggests human bodies as a medium for experiencing—and a literal embodiment of—environmental phenomena.

For more information on this artist, visit Yeon Sung’s website at https://yeon-sung.com. 

Yeon Sung

Weathering Ports

Performance view (2023, Maasvlakte)

Yeon Sung

D: D-D-D

Guerilla performance (2023, Mapo Air Monitoring Station)

Junha Kim's surrealistic animation The Posthuman Hospital delves into the intricacies of the posthuman condition with mesmerizing detail. Inspired by Donna Haraway's Cyborg Manifesto, Kim's work endeavors to dissolve the boundaries between human and machine and between reality and fiction, prompting viewers to reevaluate the essence of identity in an era of profound technological change. Set within a hospital where humans and machines seamlessly interact and intermingle, The Posthuman Hospital presents multiple scenarios that challenge these traditional distinctions. Beyond mere physical attributes, Kim’s work suggests the inevitable overlap of emotion and cultural practices. He achieves his distinctive visual effects by creating three-dimensional scans of everyday objects and overlaying retro Super 8 film effects. Kim utilizes the uncanny valley effect—unease with human-like technology—to provoke viewers' discomfort and contemplation, demonstrating how ordinary objects in extraordinary contexts can blur the lines between human and non-human. 

For more information on this artist, visit Junha Kim’s website at https://www.junhakim.com. 

Junha Kim

The Posthuman Hospital

Still images from video (credit: Still from The Posthuman Hospital)