Written by Joon Moon

The Outstanding Ingenuity of Joon Yong Moon Silences Controversy / by News Art

Ten years ago, he proposed the idea of using augmented reality in art

connecting virtual reality with offline interaction with the audience.

Joon Moon’s Chasing Stars in Shadow

Until the 27th, the personal exhibition of media artist Joon Yong Moon was held at ART SPACE in the basement of HanGil Book House in Paju. The exhibited work, <Chasing Stars in Shadow>, was produced and released in 2021 with the support of the Korea Arts Council and continues to be exhibited domestically and internationally.

Joon Moon’s Chasing Stars in Shadow

Previously, Moon received support from organizations like the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and the Paradise Cultural Foundation. However, his status as the president’s son often overshadowed his work, leading to allegations of favoritism. In response, Moon has repeatedly defended the necessity of art funding and the circumstances of artists, emphasizing, “This is how art support funds should be used.”

Joon Moon’s Chasing Stars in Shadow

In 2010, Moon presented his master’s graduation project, ‘Augmented Shadow,’ at Parsons School of Design. This work, which displayed artificial shadows of objects both physically and virtually and allowed for their manipulation, was recognized for its unique and intriguing concept. It was exhibited over ten times worldwide, including at the DHUB Design Museum in Barcelona, Spain.

Joon Moon’s Chasing Stars in Shadow

The first piece in Moon’s ‘Augmented Shadow’ series, ‘Talk To Me,’ was exhibited at prominent institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, often considered a dream venue for artists, and at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea. He continued to develop this concept, unveiling ‘Hello Shadow’ in 2018, ‘Augmented Shadow: Inside’ in 2020, and ‘Augmented Shadow: Chasing Stars in Shadow’ in 2021.

Moon’s works are more fascinating and enjoyable than anticipated because they allow viewers to step into a 3D space and become part of the artwork, often running around. This is especially thrilling for children, who eagerly chase the shadows beckoning to them, making for a highly interactive experience that words alone cannot describe.

Thanks to his outstanding creativity, Moon’s work has received global recognition beyond his MoMA exhibition. ‘Hello Shadow’ was nominated for the STARTS Prize by the European Commission, and ‘Inside’ won the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival. ‘Chasing Stars in Shadow’ has also garnered numerous awards and invitations.

Joon Moon’s Chasing Stars in Shadow

When art is criticized for non-artistic reasons, it is the artist’s talent and creativity that eventually end the debate.