Gwangju Biennale 30th Anniversary Commemorative Archival Exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us, which opened in Venice last April, closed on November 24 after a 221-day journey. Park Yang-woo, president of Gwangju Biennale Foundation, shared that the exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us, which opened on April 18 at Il Giardino Bianco Art Space in Venice, Italy, has become a forum to engage the world and promote the history and significance of Gwangju Biennale for the past eight months. ■ Revisiting Gwangju Biennale’s role on its 30th anniversary Gwangju Biennale 30th Anniversary Commemorative Archival Exhibition Madang: Where We Become Us, which examines the history of the Gwangju Biennale on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, successfully concluded, demonstrating to the international community its role as a ‘madang’ or forum through visual arts. Madang: Where We Become Us, was designed to showcase archival materials and collections accumulated through the Gwangju Biennale, and to visit and re-define the Biennale’s contemporary relevance. The exhibition resonated with accumulated archival materials, collections, and additional works that expand its significance, suggesting the possibilities inherent in art that must be sustained in the form of a “madang” symbolizing the diversity and inclusivity that the Gwangju Biennale has strived for over the past 30 years. Organized into three sections, Madang: Where We Become Us explores the history and significance of Gwangju Biennale to the present day, including works from the inaugural Biennale in 1995 that encapsulate the Gwangju Biennale’s goals. Nam June Paik’s Dolmen (1995) and Kcho’s To Forget (1995), works from the Gwangju Biennale Foundation collection, reflect the values that the Gwangju Biennale has pursued since its inception. Dolmen pays tribute to the sacrifices made by the Gwangju community during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Kcho’s To Forget metaphorically depicts the plight of the refugees who fled Cuba by boat, encapsulating the history and direction of the Gwangju Biennale. In addition, Sylbee Kim, Ayoung Kim, and Sojung Jun, three female artists who have participated in previous Gwangju Biennales, reimagined the meaning of their respective works through video media, while continuing to inherit their spirit in a contemporary context.
The exhibition also provides a glimpse into the history and archives of the Gwangju Biennale, giving visitors a panoramic view of the Biennale's 30-year discourse. Madang: Where We Become Us, which proposes an open discourse on democracy, human rights, and community, has attracted over 18,000 visitors from across the world during its eight-month run, serving as a venue to share the Biennale’s history and values with the world. ■ Exploring a future-centric ‘Gwangju Spirit’...building networks through education and related programs Madang: Where We Become Us also launched an internship program with Ca’ Foscari University in Venice to strengthen and build community connections.
The internship program, designed to introduce the Gwangju Biennale to Ca’ Foscari University students interested in Korean culture and art, ran from July 9 to November 24. Students were able to enjoy Korean art and culture, participate in docent programs and assist on-site teams.
‘Draw on your Madang’, a discourse program, was held at the exhibition hall on November 15, open to students participating in the internship program and local university students visiting the exhibition.
‘Madang Dialogue,’ a discourse program designed to foster awareness on the history and direction of the Gwangju Biennale, has been held since April, attended by about 200 participants. The program, which began in Venice with the opening ceremony on April 18, has continued in Seoul, Gwangju and other locations to facilitate discourse on the future of the Gwangju Biennale. Madang: Where We Become Us, presented in Venice in April to commemorate Gwangju Biennale’s 30th anniversary, was well received locally and has successfully completed its eight-month run,” said Park Yang-woo, president of Gwangju Biennale Foundation. “The exhibition presented the Gwangju Spirit to the world and re-established Gwangju Biennale’s role as a ‘madang’ through visual arts.” | 
