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Arachne Eye

Exhibition  /  27 Nov 2024  -  12 Dec 2024
Published: 08.11.2024
Sookmyung Women's University Moonshin Museum
Management:
Haewon Koo
.

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Intro
아라크네 아이, ARACHNE EYE, (homonym that means ‘Arachne’s children’, with ‘eye’ translating to ‘children’) showcases 130 works that incorporate fiber, yarn, and techniques such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. Some pieces also reflect Arachne’s essence from a humanities perspective.

Artist list

Ji Hyun Baek, Youngji Chi, Sungim Choi, Hoyeon Chung, Keysook Geum, Eun Ji Han, Hana Jo, Ji Young Kim, Jimin Kim, Kyeok Kim, Kyunghee Kim, Yeonghyeon Kim, Dabin Lee, June Lee, Soomi Lee, Juyean Oh, Oma, Jaewon Paek, Pafingrene, Park Sung Rim, Jina Sim, Dahea Sun, Jaesun Won, Soonran Youn, Ahmi Yu
In Greek mythology, the woman “Arachne” was celebrated for her extraordinary weaving and needlework skills. Her talent was said to rival that of the gods, and she once challenged Athena, the goddess of crafts, to a weaving contest. However, Arachne’s work – boldly exposing the faults and misdeeds of Zeus and other Greek gods – angered the divine, leading to her curse and transformation into a spider, condemned to weave webs for eternity.

The name "Arachne" also means “spider” in Greek, an entity symbolizing both nurturing motherhood and predation. Spiders embody dual aspects of creation and destruction, order and chaos, guardianship and temptation.

 If Arachne were to have descendants, how might they live in the modern world? Imagining her disposition, one might envision her children as possessing creativity, courage, boldness, diligence, and endurance – qualities highly valued by contemporary craft artists. Perhaps craft artists could indeed be seen as the heirs of Arachne.

The participating artists, like Arachne, who dared to defy divine authority and reveal the truth, create works rooted in an artist’s spirit. They explore diverse materials and expressive methods with fresh perspectives, interpreting and expanding craft within contemporary art through their innovative practices.

Moon Shin Museum, where this exhibition is held, is part of the Sookmyung Culture Foundation, which also operates the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum, specializing in textile art. Additionally, Sookmyung Women’s University, where the museum is located, has nurtured talented women for over 120 years. It is with great joy that this exhibition, featuring weaving and needlework—long perceived as symbols of women’s lives and manual labor—takes place in such a meaningful setting. Furthermore, all 25 participating artists are women actively contributing to the contemporary art scene, enhancing the significance of this exhibition.

Just as warp and weft threads must interlace harmoniously to create fabric, this exhibition aspires to weave a space where the balanced values of life and the social role of art come together. In a modern world driven by mechanization and artificial intelligence that rapidly and precisely produce goods, replacing human handiwork, craft artists tread a slow yet distinct path. We hope that the warmth, individuality, dedication, and passion embedded in these artists' works will bring a profound and memorable experience to the audience.

/ Haewon Koo, Chairwoman of Pureun Culture Foundation