Daelim Museum is pleased to present the exhibition, ‘Magic Magnifier’ by Ryan McGinley. McGinley is a contemporary photographer representing America, who in recent times has captivated New York, and will be showing in Korea for the first time. In the exhibition, McGinley’s photographic works uncover the inner conflict of youth, presenting their freedom and passion, providing a precious opportunity for audiences to recall the shinning and heart beating moments of their own youth.

Ryan McGinley has held several solo exhibitions at world-established museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and MoMA PS1, New York and has attained huge popularity and fame, to the point of causing traffic jams in Soho, New York. Since his childhood; hanging out with skateboarders, graffiti artists, musicians and artists, he was influenced by many subcultures. His personal experience and daily activity are reflected in his photos, magnifying a sense reality. The photos of drunk and drugged youth at a party, and a kissing gay couple, etc. represent a new genre, not by being restricted to a negative view of society, but by creating shock and sensation in exposing the desire and freedom of youth.

Many of McGinley’s photographic series are presented together for the first time in the exhibition, including his early documentation of the liberal life in New York; His ‘Road Trip’ series, where he took photographs during a trip across America States, capturing the otherworldly landscape that young generations dream about; His ‘Animal’ series, showing the communication between humans and animals; and also his black and white portrait series, consisting of his only studio based images. Through the exhibition, we aim to beautifully reconstruct the treasured moment of life, our ‘youth’, in the space of time and light. We believe it will be a great chance for audiences to look and think back on the real meaning of youth and to share the precious moments of that time.

*image (left)
© Ryan McGinley