Navigating the Future of Art: Insights from the ACC Global Experts Workshop
Written by Rema Zeynalova, Head of International Relations Department, Azerbaijan National Museum of Art (ITP 2018, Azerbaijan)
On November 24, 2024, I set off for South Korea to attend the 2024 ACC Global Experts Workshop IV, hosted by the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Gwangju. After a 12-hour flight, I arrived at Incheon Airport, immediately struck by the seamless blend of modern efficiency and cultural depth. Jacqueline, the workshop coordinator, warmly welcomed me and guided me to my hotel in Gwangju. My first impressions of South Korea were shaped by its mix of traditional and modern architecture, vibrant cityscapes, and the polite, orderly nature of its people.
The following day, alongside 25 fellow professionals from 15 Asian countries, we arrived at the ACC, a leading institution renowned for fostering cultural exchange, creativity, and innovation. As a hub for dialogue among Asian cultures, the ACC hosts exhibitions, performances, and workshops that encourage artistic collaboration and interdisciplinary research. As the host for the 2024 ACC Global Experts Workshop IV, it provided a dynamic space for knowledge sharing and professional growth, bringing together diverse voices to explore innovative approaches to culture and art.
The workshop explored the intersection of digital technology and the arts, featuring lectures, case studies, and tours offering valuable insights into how technology is reshaping art, exhibitions, and cultural experiences. The event began with an introduction to the ACC, showcasing its leadership in fostering cultural innovation and global collaboration. A guided tour of the center’s facilities revealed how it integrates technology into its artistic programs.
A key highlight was a lecture on Korea’s Convergence Media Art, exploring how traditional art forms are being merged with media technology to create new forms of artistic expression. We also explored case studies demonstrating how the ACC uses digital technology in its exhibitions and residency programs. One standout was Ayoung Kim’s Delivery Dancer’s Arc: Inverse, followed by a talk with the artist herself. Her innovative work revives traditional cosmologies and time systems overshadowed by Western modernization, offering a narrative-driven journey that encourages reflection on alternative worldviews and the passage of time.
The workshop also included tours of prominent art spaces, including the Gwangju Biennale, where we explored how interactive and digital art push creative boundaries. A visit to the Biennale Pavilion, in collaboration with G.MAP, showcased how technology can expand artistic storytelling. G.MAP’s special exhibition, ORLAN Hybrids: A.rtistic I.ntelligence, part of the Biennale’s 30th anniversary celebrations, featured renowned French artist ORLAN, who uses her body as a medium to explore themes such as the post-human, gender, and the climate crisis through a fusion of technology and art. Her works challenge societal norms, blending physical and virtual elements to create transformative narratives, showcasing technology as a medium for artistic expansion and addressing critical social issues.
Presentations by d’strict Korea, a leading force in digital art, were a highlight of the workshop. Their lecture, Immersive X (Tech+Art+Space), and the case study, Expansion of Exhibition Platforms and Media Art Landscape, offered valuable insights into the creative and technical processes behind their groundbreaking immersive installations. A standout experience was the visit to the ARTE MUSEUM in Busan, which showcases d’strict’s visionary work and demonstrates the transformative power of digital art. The museum, themed Eternal Nature, delivers a global immersive media art experience with 16 new pieces created specifically for Busan, integrating local natural and cultural heritage. Highlights included CIRCLE, a mesmerizing display of golden sand, and SUN, a captivating portrayal of light that has become a popular photo spot. Other vibrant works explored themes like flowers, waterfalls, and the moon. The museum also featured the interactive LIVE SKETCHBOOK, allowing visitors to bring their drawings to life on screen, adding an engaging and playful dimension to the experience.
The workshop concluded with visits to significant institutions in Seoul, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and the Leeum Museum of Art. At the MMCA, I was particularly drawn to the exhibitions Connecting Bodies: Asian Women Artists and Transport to Another World.
Connecting Bodies: Asian Women Artists showcased works by female artists from 11 Asian countries. It explored the female body as a site of identity, resistance, and cultural expression. Organized into six sections, the exhibition addressed themes like colonization, patriarchy, and nationalism, redefining Asian women’s identities and their role in shaping modernity.
Transport to Another World, co-organized by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) to celebrate the 2024-2025 Korea-Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges, featured 11 immersive works by eight artists from both countries. Employing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive web technologies, the exhibition transported viewers to different times, places, and narratives. These works revived forgotten histories, challenged storytelling conventions, and encouraged audiences to rethink their engagement with the past and future.
At the Leeum Museum of Art, I was captivated by both traditional artworks and the contemporary exhibition There Exists Another Evolution, But In This One by Korean-American artist Anicka Yi. Known for blending technology and biology, Yi employs organic materials like bacteria and scent to explore themes of human emotion, interdependence, and the connection between life and decay. Inspired by Zen Buddhist koans, her works offered a meditative perspective on existence, dissolving boundaries between individuals and ecosystems.
Beyond the educational experience, the workshop provided a platform for networking and forging new partnerships. I gained invaluable insights into how technology can enhance the museum experience, foster cultural exchange, and advance museum practices. Engaging with experts from around the world broadened my understanding of the digital transformation in art and museums.
South Korea’s vibrant culture added an enriching layer to the experience. From its welcoming people to its remarkable cuisine, the food was a major highlight. The diverse flavors of bibimbap, kimchi, and fresh seafood were unforgettable, offering a taste of the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Participating in the 2024 ACC Global Experts Workshop IV was a transformative experience that deepened my professional journey. It emphasized the importance of attending such events to stay at the forefront of cultural and technological innovation, while fostering a deeper understanding of global artistic practices. The workshop provided invaluable opportunities for learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, allowing me to explore new approaches to integrating technology into the arts.
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the workshop, the ACC team, and especially Sunghee Cho. Their dedication and meticulous efforts made this event an inspiring and enriching experience, offering us a platform to learn, connect, and grow together.