Atlas Gallery showcases photographs of North Korea in new group show "High Resolution"

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, March 29, 2024


Atlas Gallery showcases photographs of North Korea in new group show "High Resolution"
DPRK has long maintained close relations with China, which shares a border with DPRK. The fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in a devastating drop in aid to North Korea from Russia. China continues to provide financial assistance - and graphics form an important part of one section of ARIRANG devoted to their relationship with PRC. Some of the graphics read: ‘Our rich and prosperous friend - the socialist state of China’, ‘Eternal Friendship between China and North Korea’. ‘Without the Communist Party, there would be no new China’. Koreans from the Loyal/Elite Class cross the border to work in China. North Koreans are aware that China is getting richer and richer, and many contraband goods, such as powerful radios and DVD's enter the country via China.



LONDON.- North Korean propaganda art photography by Jeremy Hunter headlines at ATLAS Gallery’s January group show.

On one hand the striking images of UNESCO-winning photographer Jeremy Hunter’s ‘ARIRANG’ series documents a complex feat of storytelling via performance art. On the other hand, it is an unsettling portrayal of the cultural and political landscape of North Korea, and a depiction of an extreme human experience centred on propaganda.

Forming the main body of work at ATLAS Gallery’s January Group Show, Jeremy Hunter’s art reportage brings to life the two-hour mass-celebration that is ‘ARIRANG’, via a series of 5ft x 3ft photographs. ‘ARIRANG’ is a vastly important show in North Korea that has been staged outdoors in the world's largest stadium - in Pyongyang - every August and September for the past ten years.

Jeremy Hunter explains: “ ‘ARIRANG’, also the name of a traditional folk song representing the soul of Korea, utilises a vast force of 100,000 young performers including 50,000 teenagers and members of the military elite. Each holds a flipchart of more than 150 unique pages which combine to create giant mosaic images that change seamlessly during the performance.”

“The images chart the history of Korea from colonial times when the people suffered under Japanese occupation, to the present day and even into the future. At the same time ‘ARIRANG’ visually illustrates and praises the Workers Party of Korea, its armed forces, Kim Il-Sung ‘the Eternal Leader’ and Kim Jong-Il ‘the Dear Leader’, through the depiction of sometimes bizarre fables surrounding these figures.”

The show forms a major part in each performer’s life, with each devoting six months and 250 million man hours to rehearsals each year.

ATLAS Gallery owner Ben Burdett, says: “Jeremy’s series of images is probably the most important visual record of propaganda art of modern times. And with the death of Kim Jong-Il last December, and the celebration not likely ever to be staged again, his images have been placed in the realms of historic documentation.”

As a photo-journalist, Jeremy has taken a special interest in documenting the world’s festivals, rituals, ceremonies and celebrations, especially global mass-gatherings, which has taken him to 65 countries across five continents. In 2011 his archive of work - Let's Celebrate 365 - was transmitted outdoors by the BBC on every big screen in the UK.

Other photographers to be included in High Resolutions include Rene Burri, Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, John Dominis, William Klein, Man Ray, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Cindy Sherman, Herbert Ponting, Ruth Orkin, Weegee, André Dienes, Lillian Bassman, Eve Arnold, Gered Mankowitz, Nick Brandt, Paolo Ventura, Steve MacLeod, Nathan Harger, Thomas Hoepker, and Frauke Eigen.

The exhibition runs from 16th January – 16th February, with an artist reception on 23rd January 2013, from 6-8pm.










Today's News

January 16, 2013

Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid opens major retrospective of the work by Robert Adams

Sotheby's London to offer private Swedish collection of Modern & Contemporary art

Christie's presents the strongest array of the Art of the Surreal ever offered at auction

Israel to open exhibit on biblical King Herod, the monarch who ruled Jerusalem

Swann Galleries' newly reinstated Old Master Drawings Auction to be held January 29

The Estorick celebrates anniversary with landmark exhibition "Giorgio Morandi: Lines of Poetry"

Valerie Rousseau appointed Curator of 20th Century and Contemporary Art at American Folk Art Museum

Petersen Automotive Museum names Peter Mullin Chairman of the Board of Directors

Premier line-up of galleries from across the world will launch Art Basel's first edition in Hong Kong

Atlas Gallery showcases photographs of North Korea in new group show "High Resolution"

Clipper ship masterpiece by James Edward Buttersworth sails into Bonhams New York

47th Art Cologne, running from 19 to 22 April, announces top-flight line-up of international galleries

James Ottaway, veteran newspaperman, elected Chair of Storm King Art Center

Art Institute appoints Judith Russi Kirshner as Deputy Director for Education

VOLTA NY announces exhibitors for 2013

United States student could "doodle" way to college money

A lifetime in pictures by Robin Hanbury-Tenison on view at the National Theatre

Groundbreaking artists, educational perspective and global diversity: ArtPalmBeach 2013

Gary Gates named Joslyn Art Museum Board Chairman

Solo show by Cynthia Ona Innis on view at Walter Maciel Gallery




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful