Kimsooja: Culture City of East Asia 2016, Gangoji Temple

Kimsooja participates in Nara Project, which takes place in Nara Prefecture from September 3 to October 23. This project is part of tri-national event initiated by the Culture City of East Asia to promote cultural exchange between Korea, China, and Japan. Each nation selects one city which will showcase its cultural development through various programs. Along with the program in Nara, Japan, Ningo city, China and Jeju city, Korea will each host a project this year. Gangoji Temple, where Kimsooja’s work will be installed, is a historically significant Buddhist temple from the Nara Period. While it was originally erected in the 6th Century Asuka Period, it was separated from the Asuka-dera Temple and relocated to its current location. In this space, Kimsooja, who primarily explores Eastern yin and yang philosophy, will present a location-specific installation that includes reflective glass surfaces and black objets on an Ishibutai (a stone stage). In the sitting room of Shoshibo (prefectural designated cultural asset), she will also feature a video piece that investigates the concept of “time,” relating to Gangoji Temple’s long history.