'Creatives in Motion' brings emerging Korean artists to New York

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), in collaboration with the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), presents "Creatives in Motion," a five-day showcase of rising Korean figures in visual and performing arts, from Jan. 14 to 18. As part of the "K-Arts in New York" series, the program highlights three performances and three exhibitions selected through an open call that drew 155 submissions.

The event kicks off with a recital by pianist Mun Ji-yeong, an alum of K-Arts' School of Music, Tuesday. Throughout its run, it features a lineup of performances and exhibitions that offer a glimpse into Korea’s contemporary arts scene, with networking programs aiming to facilitate exchanges between Korean and U.S.-based arts professionals and institutions.

In the visual art exhibition, running from Jan. 14 to 17, three artists explore identity, heritage and the interplay between tradition and technology.

Lee Sang-hee’s "Oneroom-Babel" uses virtual reality to immerse viewers in a dreamlike structure made from the scanned living spaces of Seoul’s young adults, reflecting the emotional ambivalence of urban life. Kwon Min-kyeong’s "Korea Mutation Creature" bridges history and modernity by reimagining Korean cultural artifacts and everyday objects into mythical guardians. Kim Hwi-a’s "Fish Eggs" delves into the relationship between technology and humanity, using robotics and interactive media to portray the isolation and beauty of existing within self-contained worlds.

The performance section runs from Jan. 16 to 18. Elek-Tradition, consisting of Kim Ji-hye and Cho Gab-dong, combines traditional Korean percussion with electronic music in "Painting," a performance that revisits auditory nostalgia and memory. "TOM AND JERRY," by Madrid Lee, Kim Jee-san and Park Se-jin of T.O.B Group, uses contemporary dance to explore the pressures and choices of modern life, inspired by the playful yet competitive relationship of the titular characters. Hammer reinvents Korean traditional music in "K.R.U.S.H!," where the geomungo (Korean zither) and percussion merge with global influences.

"Creatives in Motion" has been promoted to attendees of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) congress, running concurrently from Jan. 14 to 16. A networking session on Jan. 17 will offer international producers opportunities to engage with Korean artists.

K-Arts President Kim Dae-jin said, “It is particularly meaningful to collaborate with the KCCNY as an opportunity for our promising artists to take their first steps abroad. I hope that their art can be further expanded through various experiences in New York.”

KCCNY Executive Director Kim Cheon-soo expressed hope for continued promotion of Korean artists abroad.

"Through this opportunity where the works of young Korean artists debut in New York, we will develop avenues for continuous distribution through medium- to long-term cooperation with K-Arts," he said.

While admission is free, pre-registration is recommended for performances due to limited seating, with same-day standby tickets also available.