Regional Art and Power
For us, any regional art exist? Almost all art events today take place mostly in Seoul. Concentrating on the reinforcement of its power, the regional art world remains isolated without any connection with the Seoul art community. It is completely closed off from the central art scene. The regional art world seems to consider that more helpful in consolidating its status. It is in real sense suffering the absence of art criticism and art media, lack of an understanding of art and backwardness of art education. Many regional artists are dreaming of moving out from their domain, aspiring to be a member of the central art world. They make an effort to assimilate into a refined, modern style of the central art circle, rather than striving to create works imbued with regionality and locality. As the artists living in the provinces, the characteristics of their district should be above all else reflected in their art. Although they are less informed about the latest trend of culture and art, their art has to be something passionately and obstinately embodying the intrinsic quality of their regions. They have to find a practical solution more positively, instead of merely complaining about the poor condition of the regional art community. There is the need to bring about a turnabout in our awareness that regional art is confined to any limit and cannot be in the center of the entire art world. What’s most significant is to dissolve factionalism and not to depend on school ties or regional networks. As a reaction against authoritarianism, regional art has to put emphasis on attaining its originality. For this, regional art should respect regional tradition, history and background and break away from an old convention of wielding power.