My Own Words: Hzone, the Context Maker

25 Jul

Bridging art, technology and societal discourse
By Daehyung Lee

This article is a part of CHECK-IN 2024, our annual publication, which comes in at 313 pages this year. You can buy a limited-edition print copy at SGD38 here.

'My Own Words' is a monthly series which features personal essays by practitioners in the Southeast Asian art community. They deliberate on their locality's present circumstances, articulating observations and challenges in their respective roles.

Hzone team: Daehyung Lee, Geunbae Yang, Judy Hyunjung Lee, Jaeho Shim. Image courtesy of Somi Hong.

As the founder of Hzone in 2008, I embarked on a journey fueled by a singular vision: to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art by weaving together the threads of art, technology, and societal discourse. My path has been one of relentless exploration, driven by a conviction that art's essence cannot be confined within traditional paradigms of creation and consumption. Through Hzone, I have sought to challenge these norms, advocating for art's autonomy from the forces of power, capital, and external influences, and asserting its role as a catalyst for genuine expression and societal change.

Hzone’s role as a curatorial company has been profoundly influenced by the belief that art should integrate into the broader tapestry of human experience, leveraging technology not merely as a tool but as a collaborator in creating new dimensions of aesthetic and conceptual significance. This philosophy underpins Hzone’s approach to curating, where our team strives to create experiences that resonate with the core of human empathy and understanding. As the digital landscape expands the realms in which art can exist, it offers unprecedented opportunities for diversity in artistic expression and real-time global communication. This symbiosis, akin to the interdependence between the cerebral hemispheres or the wheels of a bicycle, suggests a dynamic interplay where art steers philosophical inquiry and technology propels progress. Yet, it is crucial that this progress does not merely advance innovation for its own sake but enhances our shared humanity.

‘CONNECT,BTS’ press conference at Serpentine Galleries, London, 2020. Image courtesy of Hzone.

One of the flagship projects that embodies this ethos is ‘CONNECT, BTS’ a global initiative connecting the South Korean boyband BTS with 22 artists across five cities. To achieve this, BTS's active involvement was pivotal in selecting the participating cities, museums, and artists. Through a series of video conferences, each artist and museum director shared their vision and goals for their respective city's project with BTS. During these discussions, BTS's deep understanding of art and their unwavering philosophy of embracing diversity proved to be immensely valuable.

At London's Serpentine Galleries, Jakob Kudsk Steensen crafts immersive digital landscapes that seamlessly blend technological innovation with the organic beauty of nature. His installations prompt a profound reflection on our interconnectedness with the environment. In Berlin, the Gropius Bau is enveloped in the auditory art of Bill Fontana, whose soundscapes dissolve the boundaries between the mundane and the magical, enriching our sensory engagement with our surroundings.

Buenos Aires plays host to Tomás Saraceno's environmentally conscious creations, advocating for a symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world. Across the Atlantic, in New York, Antony Gormley's works at the Brooklyn Bridge Park delve into the exploration of the human body and its relationship to space, encouraging viewers to contemplate their corporeal presence within the universe's vast expanse.

Jakob Kudsk Steensen, ‘Catharsis’, 2019, 2D cinematic video, presented as part of ‘CONNECT, BTS’ at Serpentine Galleries, London. Image courtesy of the artist.

Tomas Saraceno, ‘Fly with Aerocene Pacha’, 2020, presented as part of ‘CONNECT,BTS’ at Salinas Grandes, Buenos Aires, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.

In Seoul, Yiyun Kang transforms spaces with projection mapping at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), intertwining digital art with historical narratives to explore the ephemeral nature of memory. ‘CONNECT, BTS’, through the prism of these diverse artistic endeavours, enriches our cultural dialogue, illustrating the pivotal role of art in bridging human connections, nurturing empathy, and forging a path towards a united and collaborative future.

My tenure as the founding art director for Hyundai Motor Company from 2013 to 2019 was a pivotal chapter in my career, where I orchestrated partnerships with premier institutions such as Tate Modern, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA, Seoul), and Bloomberg. These collaborations not only reaffirmed my dedication to elevating public engagement with art, but also underscored the transformative power of collaborative ventures. My engagement with the Nam June Paik Cultural Foundation, Art Center Nabi, and the international advisory board for the ArtScience Museum in Singapore further demonstrates my commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend geographical boundaries.

Antony Gormley, ‘New York Clearing 2020’, 2020, presented as part of ‘CONNECT, BTS’ at Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York City, 2020. Image courtesy of Scott Rudd.

Ann Veronica Janssens, ‘Green Yellow and Pink’, 2007, presented as part of ‘CONNECT, BTS’ at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist.

In addition to these roles, I have ventured into the film realm as a co-executive producer for the documentary ‘Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV’. This project allowed me to explore the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling, reinforcing my belief in the multidisciplinary approach to art.

Hzone continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art. We are commissioning significant projects, including a monumental public artwork by Antony Gormley and Yanagi Yukinori's floating museum as part of the Shinan Arts Islands. These initiatives not only contribute to the physical landscape but also to the cultural dialogue, embodying our ethos of art as a catalyst for reflection, and conversation with local nature and ecosystem.

Moreover, Hzone is consulting on the creation of Audeum, a new sound museum envisioned by architect Kuma Kengo and graphic designer Hara Kenya. This endeavour represents a synthesis of architectural mastery and auditory experience, promising to be a sanctuary for sound art that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the nuances of auditory art forms.

Lee Daehyung speaking to the press at the Korean pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, 2017. Titled ‘Counterbalance: The Stone and the Mountain’ and curated by Lee, it is a joint exhibition by artists Cody Choi and Lee Wan. Image courtesy of Hzone.

The Korea Research Fellow 10 x 10 project, which promotes collaboration between Korean curators and their international peers, has inspired me with its demonstration of collective intelligence in the curatorial field. By uniting diverse expertise and perspectives, we address contemporary challenges and forge a path for future explorations.

As I contemplate Hzone's trajectory, it becomes increasingly clear that the future of art is defined by our collective creativity and our courage to pursue uncharted territories. Through initiatives such as ‘CONNECT, BTS’ and our involvement in groundbreaking ventures such as the Shinan Arts Islands project and Audeum, we are crafting a legacy that promises to inspire future generations. These efforts not only redefine the boundaries of art but also emphasise its role in bridging technology, society, and the global community, heralding a new era of artistic exploration and innovation.

In crafting this essay for the Art & Market, my aim has been to illuminate the path forward for the art world, one marked by collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to understanding and reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience. As we embrace this shift, we ensure that art remains a vital force for good, capable of bridging divides and inspiring a more connected, empathetic, and inclusive world. This is the story of Hzone, a tale of transcending boundaries and reimagining the potential of contemporary art in shaping our collective future.

This article is a part of CHECK-IN 2024, our annual publication, which comes in at 313 pages this year. You can buy a limited-edition print copy at SGD38 here.

About the Writer

Daehyung Lee launched the international art project CONNECT, BTS, with Serpentine Galleries in London, Gropius Bau in Berlin, Kirchner Cultural Centre (CCK) in Buenos Aires, DDP in Seoul and Brooklyn Bridge Foundation in New York. From 2013 to 2019, as Hyundai Motor Company's founding art director, he facilitated partnerships with Tate Modern, MMCA, LACMA, and Bloomberg. He curated the Korean Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017.