BEYOND THE SCENE | Yiyun Kang 강이연

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BEYOND THE SCENE, YIYUN KANG 2020

projection mapping installation, cube room, mirrored floor, sound, 9;30",

CONNECT, BTS

https://www.connect-bts.com

Press conference at the Serpentine Gallery London

CONNECT, BTS | poress conference at the Serpentine Gallery

CONNECT, BTS | SEOUL

https://www.connect-bts.com/seoul/gateway/index.jsp

CONNECT, BTS | SEOUL

Special Collaboration | BEYOND THE SCENE

https://www.connect-bts.com/seoul/BeyondtheScene/index.jsp

Yiyun Kang

Artist statement on BEYOND THE SCENE

2020

In this global project, my piece is distinctive to other presented works in that it directly reacts to BTS. As the only Korean artist participating in CONNECT, BTS, my position cannot be neutral. Watching the septet grow as a ground-breaking cultural figure is truly touching regardless of how much I like them or not. The way that BTS transformed the almost Anglo American-centred ecosystem of the pop industry is the unprecedented achievement of its adventure. As an Asian artist who lives and works in London, I became so much wondered what has caused this phenomenon. Then I realised the symbiotic relationship between BTS and ARMY, the ‘one of a kind’ fandom.

Not to mention BTS’ music and performance, the co-existence with ARMY is the game-changer for the band’s smashing success. Throughout the developmental process, I've talked to several ARMYs based in London of all different ages, genders, and ethnicities as part of my research. And I could identify that their dedication is deeply rooted in the band’s message that addresses the embracing stories that are relatable to many people around the world. Collectively, the message extends its influence in a rhizomatic way on a global scale. This hyper-connected structure that generates positive energy lies at the heart of BTS’ singularity.

To me, this phenomenon seems even more meaningful under this particular time and space where the current scenes, such as political, financial, environmental, social and racial scenes seem to reach the breaking point. We need to work together to go beyond the current scenes to be connected again, to make the world more inclusive and sustainable. Therefore, I decided to title my work as Beyond the Scene, which is also an extended identity of the band.

Reflecting this, I created an immersive audio-visual environment. Space is wrapped by large-scale projections that show the traces of human movements, inspired by BTS’ choreography. It thus looks rather anonymous and abstract. At the same time, the movements shape forms together to completes the space, just like the seven boys build BTS together with the support of ARMY. These imageries are then mixed with digital animations and opening up an imaginative dimension as if they expand beyond the external facade. There is no such boundary in this environment. Viewers can navigate between physical and virtual, surface and depth, material and immaterial. As a result, my work illustrates how BTS and ARMY pushed the boundaries to move beyond the existing scenes. And more importantly, it questions what this phenomenon means to us at this very present.