A Journey of the Senses

The Leeum Museum of Art is currently hosting There Exists Another Evolution, But In This One, a solo exhibition by renowned Korean-American artist Anicka Yi. The show, which runs until December 29th, 2024, is Yi’s first major presentation in Asia and features new and recent works that explore her unique exploration of life, technology and the senses. Yi’s artistic method focuses on combining organic and ephemeral materials — such as bacteria, scents and even tempura-fried flowers — to challenge human-centred perspectives and highlight the interconnectedness of all living things.

Known for integrating biology and technology into her work, Yi explores the boundaries between species and questions the divide between humans and non-human entities such as machines, fungi and micro-organisms. The exhibition presents a collection of earlier works alongside newly unveiled works, inviting viewers into Yi’s deeply conceptual universe. One of the key pieces, Each Branch of Coral Holds Up the Light of the Moon, is a video work that explores whether art can outlive the artist by introducing a ‘digital twin’ trained in Yi’s artistic style.

Through her innovative approach, Yi challenges us to rethink our relationship with the natural world, emphasising the fragile balance of life and the influence of sensory experience. The exhibition’s title, inspired by Zen Buddhist philosophy, also signals a meditative development in her work, combining material and spiritual reflections. Co-organised with the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, this groundbreaking exhibition offers an in-depth look at the intersection of ecology, technology and human perception.