The word “tele” means ‘at a distance, far off, and far away’ in Greek. It is the origin of words that are familiar to us, such as television, telephone, and telescope and they are all originated from the word. In addition, there are words with the same etymology that have elements of response in a distance such as telepathy and telecommunication. Words that start with “tele” also indicate a spiritual dimension beyond time or distance. One might have experienced a telepathic communication though he is without psychic power. In the end, the best way for us to communicate with artists through their works is such communication. Their praxes would also be attempts to separate themselves from the outer world and share sympathy with unknown subjects that exist beyond them. In that sense, the role of artists resembles the role of a medium who connects the real world and the imaginary, trying to achieve ambiguous communication and sympathy at an abstract distance without knowing how far it is.

'tele-Be' would like to present the attitude of pioneering artists who reflect on yesterday and shed light on tomorrow through endless repetition and continuation of their effort. It introduces six artists from different generations of Korean contemporary art, encompassing the whole spectrum of genres to ruminate on the lives of contemporary artists that live today.

Artists: Seung-taek Lee, Chang Hong Ahn, Area Park, Sun Choi, Xooang Choi, Yongseok Oh

*image (left)
© Yongseok Oh
courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai