Time travel through media art and learn about Korean history
There is no future for a people who forgets history
The importance of history cannot be emphasized enough. But unfortunately, many people have the stereotype that history is difficult and boring. What if we tell history with media art? Unlike history that is accessed through books or TV, when you use media art, you can obtain information in a more vivid and realistic way both visually and auditorily. In particular, because media art is encountered in a specific space, the audience can experience as if they are inside history.
Revisiting history through media art
<OCEAN by d’strict>
Photo from_War Memorial of Korea
d’strict produced a public media artwork ‘OCEAN’ to commemorate the 430th anniversary of the Imjin war. This work reproduces the harsh weather and rough waves of the sea during the war on a large screen. To remember the Battle which lasted for seven years from 1592 to 1598, the media art utilized the Turtle Ship.
Photo from_War Memorial of Kore
The sea of media art is by no means beautiful. A huge and threatening wave is coming as if it will swallow everything, and the sky is dark as if it will collapse at any moment. The painful history of the Japanese Invasion of Korea becomes tragic, and the audience can experience an immersion as if they were in the battlefield where they risked their lives to protect the sea of Joseon.
<Baekje Yeonhwa by dotmill>
Photo from_Daejoen MBC
dotmill participated in the media art festival Baekje Yeonhwa held at Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Baekje Yeonhwa captured the splendid times of Baekje, which achieved excellent technology and outstanding culture through active trade activities.
Photo from_SBS News
<To the hero by dotmill>
dotmill produced a media facade video announcing the beginning of To the Heroes, a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War held at Seoul Airport. This media facade was created on the KC-330, the Air Force's royal refueling tanker that returned the remains of Korean War heroes to Korea.
Photo from_SBS News
The audience sees bullets coming and going, taking lives amidst darkened ground and thick smoke. It is a work that makes you think about the war in a scene that cannot help but feel devastated. It was a production with media art that vividly captures the horrors of the Korean War and heavy background music. It ends in honor of the war veterans with beautiful stars falling and chrysanthemums in full bloom.
Standing in the middle of history
<King Jeongjo’s Royal Parade:8 Days of Records by Iconic Movement>
Photo from_Iconic Movement
Iconic Movement created immersive media art, King Jeongjo’s Royal Parade:8 Days of Records, on the interactive XR bus, Suwon's representative tourist product and the only one of its kind in Korea. This project used 2D graphics and 3D technology to realistically reproduce the history and culture of the Joseon Dynasty by recreating King Jeongjo's parade.
Photo from_Iconic Movement
Photo from_Iconic Movement
Photo from_Iconic Movement
This media art used natural objects, such as huge mountains that occupy more than half of Korea's territory, as a motif and emphasized Korea's unique beauty. In traditional Korean paintings, carp, which symbolizes abundance, appears with colorful waves to evoke the meaning of tradition. The Dancheong pattern, which captures the audience's attention using the five colors, expands into sophisticated movements.
Flowers symbolize the resilience and beauty of the human spirit. Like flowers that bloom despite any adversity, the content wished for patients not to lose hope and have courage. The stone symbolizes stability and foundation, and signifies the hospital's dedicated commitment to patients. The water drop that appears last symbolizes regeneration and purification. The vitality of water emphasizes the beginning of all life and the sight of water droplets gathering together symbolizes the efforts of medical staff coming together to do their best. In particular, Iconic Movement used the black background for the project so that viewers can see the outside scenery through the transparent OLED screen of the Suwon XR bus.
Photo from_Iconic Movement
Photo from_Iconic Movement
Also, narration was added to each part of the content to make it easier to follow, and the beauty of Korea was brought to life through Korean traditional music. The cranes and butterflies made of pearl left an elegant and strong impression, and the appearance of King Jeongjo wearing golden armor and slowly approaching caught attention from the audience.
King Jeongjo did his best for the revival and security of Joseon and was loved by many people. King Jeongjo’s Royal Parade:8 Days of Records by Iconic Movement became a good example of media art to remember King Jeongjo.
Video from_Iconic Movement
Lastly,
Transcending time and space through media art.
Because it was media art, it was able to capture both the brilliant and painful moments of Korean history in such a unique way.
Iconic Movement seeks to remain in history by further developing these media art technologies.