Exhibition in Seoul by artist Lee Bul reveals the aftermath of her initial, shocking career stages
Artist Lee Bul's Provocative Beginnings and Evolving Career
Lee Bul, a renowned Korean artist, has been making waves in the art world since the late 1980s. Her works have consistently explored themes related to the human body, cyborgs, and the interface between technology and identity, often presenting utopian and dystopian visions that challenge traditional gender roles and societal norms.
Lee Bul's debut performance in 1989, titled "Sorry for Suffering - You think I'm a puppy on a picnic?", took place in a Seoul theatre. The performance was marked by her dangling nude from the rafters, a move that shocked, unsettled, and jolted others awake. At the time, abortion was still a criminal act in Korea, and during the performance, Lee Bul spoke about her own abortion, adding a layer of personal and political commentary to her art.
In 1990, Lee Bul roamed the streets of Korea and Japan in a grotesque costume of flesh and tentacles. For 12 days, passers-by gawked and recoiled at her unruly presence. This performance, like her debut, was a bold statement about bodily defiance and societal norms.
In 1997, Lee Bul's works were exhibited at New York's Museum of Modern Art. One of her most infamous pieces, Majestic Splendor, featured rows of dead fish sealed in plastic bags. The scales of the fish were bedazzled with cheap sequins, creating a stark contrast between beauty and decay. The odour of the exhibit became so noxious that it forced the museum to pull it from view within days.
Despite these sensational beginnings, Lee Bul's art has been associated with force and awakening others. Her works have continued to push boundaries and provoke thought, as seen in her 1998 focus on themes exploring the human body, the cyborg, and the interface between technology and identity.
The new mid-career survey of Lee Bul at Seoul's Leeum Museum of Art in 2018, titled "Lee Bul: From 1998 to Now", starts instead with what came after. This exhibition bypasses the shock and stench of her sensational beginnings, offering a more refined and mature perspective on her work.
Throughout her career, Lee Bul's art has been a powerful tool for challenging societal norms and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Her works continue to inspire and provoke thought, making her an influential figure in the contemporary art world.
