– G-MAP, ‘Augmented Shadow’ Exhibition.
– 3rd Floor, 4th Exhibition Hall until July 30.
– Interact with Characters in the Artwork.
– Drawing Attention by Enhancing Engagement and Immersion.
As immersive experiences that interact with artworks gain popularity, an interactive immersive experience where viewers directly engage with the story of the artwork is being presented. The 2023 G.MAP Immersive Experience Exhibition “Joon Yong Moon: Augmented Shadow” will be held on the 3rd floor, Exhibition Room 4 at the Gwangju Media Art Platform (G.MAP) until July 30.
This exhibition is the first immersive experience exhibition of the year at G.MAP. It features the artist Joon Yong Moon, who has been consistently working with augmented reality and interactive art, chosen to match the characteristics of the immersive exhibition space of Exhibition Room 4.
Joon Yong Moon is a media artist who utilizes experimental media and computation, such as augmented reality, tangible interfaces, generative art, and sound visualization. His representative work, the ‘Augmented Shadow’ series, has been exhibited at prestigious cultural institutions and festivals, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria, Microwave in Hong Kong, Onedotzero in the UK, FILE, and Scopitone in Nantes, France. The series has been nominated for the European Commission’s STARTS Prize and received the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival. It has also been officially invited to international film festivals in Kaohsiung, China Sandbox, and Bucheon.
In this exhibition, Moon presents “Chasing Stars in Shdow” one of the series utilizing the ‘Augmented Shadow’ technology he developed. This guides viewers into the world of interactive media art within an immersive space. The ‘Augmented Shadow’ series merges technology and art to create a new form of immersive content that tells stories within a video interface environment. Using specially designed trackers, the viewer’s location is detected, and the real shadows of objects are mapped with virtual shadows, showcasing experimental art.
The contrast and shadows in the space move according to the light from the trackers held by the viewers, allowing them to experience a sense of reality as if they have entered a virtual space. Viewers discover shadows calling to them and, as they approach, the next stage of the story unfolds.
The artwork incorporates light, shadows, three-dimensional illusions, and immersive environments, making all interfaces part of the narrative. Viewers directly meet and interact with the characters in the story through light, experiencing complete immersion in the artwork. This exhibition features high-definition videos customized for the G.MAP exhibition space and includes unique animations and stories exclusive to this venue.
Another characteristic of Moon’s interactive art is the necessity of devices that connect viewers to the video artwork. While such devices often require learning how to operate them, the tracker developed by Moon requires no special manipulation or instructions. Viewers simply need to hold it, and it guides them into the artwork through light recognition.
Unlike traditional interactive art, which moves from a fixed point, this artwork continuously interacts with the viewer’s perspective and position, offering a dynamic storytelling world.
G.MAP’s Director Kyungho Lee said, “This exhibition aims to reflect on the future and significance of an augmented art world accessible to everyone, not just a select few who can handle advanced technology. It is designed for all ages to enjoy and experience without difficulty, attracting a wide range of citizens.”
Meanwhile, an artist talk of Joon Yong Moon will be arranged as a related event in July.
Reporter Hyejin Kim: hj@mdilbo.com
- G-MAP, ‘Augmented Shadow’ Exhibition
- 3rd Floor, 4th Exhibition Hall until July 30
- Interact with Characters in the Artwork
- Drawing Attention by Enhancing Engagement and Immersion