In the German Pavilion, everyone is invited to become part of the
Longega community. Discover the rustling of trees in
the wind, the rushing of the river, or days turning into a long night when a campfire is lit. Along with the audio-guide, visitors can experience Longega‘s surroundings audiovisually, take in the scenery, and let their gaze wander. The
seven elements of “in between water – 두물마을” invite visitors to enter into a dialogue with Longega Project’s artistic practice and collective working approach.
1
Fit
Youlee Ku
2024
Plants, fitness machine
Dimensions variable
Longega is located in a valley surrounded by natural beauty, mountains and an abundance of forests. Hiking and exploring the nearby forests are common activities in Longega, offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and appreciate the flora and fauna of the forested areas. At the same time, some forest areas in the region are dying. In Youlee Ku‘s installation “Fit”, consisting of real trees standing on fitness equipment, a modern forest is depicted between the atmospheric rustle of leaves and the need for optimisation. Normally one does not move on these fitness machines, but allows oneself to be moved. The movement of a single tree is not perceived, but that of a forest is. Youlee Ku‘s lighting technology creates long shadows along the trees and simulates a day and night rhythm. Days and nights are impressive experiences in Longega. The respective mood changes the perception of place, people, plants and animals.
2
Stöa
Longega Project
2024
Wood, mixed media
Dimensions variable
The wooden hut in Longega is a place for encounters and exchange. It reflects the central idea of Longega Project: exchange between artists from different
cultures, living together, working together and finding inspiration. The installation ‘Stöa’ by Longega Project hangs from the ceiling in a frame construction and is reminiscent of the massive wooden roof of the Longega Project headquarters. The basic features of the hut, including a rain gutter attached tothe roof, a flower box and wooden ornaments taken from the original are reimagined as a sculptural recreation in the exhibition space. It is abstracted so that only its most important elements are revealed. During the exhibition period, a spacious terrace, made of wooden planks and used as a stage for events, invites visitors to spend time at the bar, seating and tables. The Longega Project‘s hut is therefore not just an art installation, but also a meeting place for its visitors and a space for art talks, lectures and performances. Culinary delicacies from Ladin and Korean cuisine are offered during special opening hours and events.
3
Campfire
Claudio Matthias Bertolini
2024
Wood, LED Lights, Metal
150 x 200 cm
The campfire is a meeting place where strangers or acquaintances come together, gaze into the flames and tell stories. In the evenings, campfires are held in the garden in Longega, an importantplace at night. A fire bowl contains an electric “campfire” by Claudio Matthias
Bertolini and was made of colorful neon tubes. Occasionally, the group Kunststoffwerkstatt and franz allein performs a singspiel.
Seating welcomes visitors to take part in the events or simply chat around the “fire“.
Edaphones
Nele Ka, Oliver Haussmann, 2024
Aluminium, Rc. Filament,
Soil, Tree Needles, Cholorphyll, Swiss Stone Pine Oil, Sand
220 x 40 x 40 cm each
Sculptural bodies of sound, called “Edaphones” are inspired by devil‘s
fiddles. Anchored in carnival culture, they are often associated
with fertility and winter banishment, which is represented by their unusual sounds and rhythms. In Longega, the fiddles were often
played during spontaneous jam sessions. The three-part sculpture series “Edaphones” by Oliver Haussmann and Nele Ka serve as a reference to the instruments, which were developed from aluminum tree branches, soil and
3D-printed models. The sculptural bodies of sound will be activated during performanceby the Longega Project artists. By stomping on the ground, they evoke contact with microorganisms in the earth. This way of communicating makes the time dimension visible and overrides itself in the same way. Supported by “growth foundations” of the covered earth, tree needles, earth juices and sand flow out of their sound bodies. The sculptures transform the invisible sounds of the earth to life andserve as ‘tuning forks of the earth’,
they produce rhythmic soundsand enter into a symbiosis with the
“deep biosphere”.
4
Transformation of a shadowless existence
Fabian Feichter, 2024
Parafin, Silicone, Metal,
500 x 170 cm
Both, river and bridge, are elementary places in Longega asthey not only connect the hut with the workshop, but unites the place with the people and nature. In 2022, the bridge in Longega, serving as a central link between the road and the house, was swept away by the forces of flood and could not be rebuilt. Only a few fragments of the old structure remained and were brought to Gwangju. The sculptural reconstruction “Transformation of a shadowless existence” by Fabian Feichter is created in the exhibition hall. While
symbolizing the connection between the two places, South Korea
and South Tyrol, its apparently stable construction – emphasized
by the imitation skin and the shortlived nature of the materials like
paraffin – is equally threatened by insecurity and sensitivity to external influences. Another symbol of connection which can be seen in the installation is the competition of finger hooks. “Fingerhakeln” is often practiced at folk festivals and also a part of tradition.
5
Fata Morgana
Siyoung Kim, 2024
Fluorescent Plants, Mixed Media
Dimensions variable
Exploring the immediate surroundings is an integral part of the
working practice in Longega. During these excursions into nature, the artists collect mushrooms and berries, sharing their harvest for dinner in the evening. These natural treasures are also gathered for artistic work. Art is created not only in the workshop but also in the forest and throughout the entire surroundings, transforming the landscape into a studio.
These activities highlight essential aspects such as food procurement, reawaken the ancient urge to search and gather, and open up a new perspective far removed from urbanity. This narrative of exploration and discovery is reflected in Siyoung Kim‘s spatial installation, “Fata Morgana”. The work features various plants that, when illuminated, emit light in the darkness. Over
time, their shapes gradually fade. The effect of these fluorescent plants offers the viewer a new perception of space and the joy of exploring and discovering the plants as the light changes.
6
Alles kann schief gehen, alles kann gut gehen
[Anything can go wrong, Anything can go right]
Longega Project, 2024
Mixed Media,
Dimensions variable
In the wood workshop in Longega artists create some of the works during their artist residency. In Longega, the “1000 Gallery” adjoins the wood workshop; a half derelict house in ruins serves as an experimental exhibition space.
In contrast to the ‘White Cube’, exhibition spaces here have to be
explored and harmonized with nature. In ‘Alles kann schief gehen,
alles kann gut gehen’, reference is made to the experimental free space that is practiced in Longega. A glowing green sign with the word ‘Longega Project’ points the way into the workshop, a laboratorylike, open space, in which various workshops will take place during the exhibition. Inside, visitors will
find a documentation center about the history of the collective and its fundamental components, as well as films and photo documentaries
from the village of Longega. Remnants or self-made items from the
workshops with the visitors will be integrated into the installation.
Schwitzen, Schlamm und Gloria
[Sweating, Mud and Gloria],
Longega Project, 2024,
Live-video, Mixed Media,
Dimensions variable
“Schwitzen, Schlamm und Gloria” shows a screen transmitting the flowing water of the South Tyrolean Longega river to Korea in real time. The river is always in motion, changing shape and color. It is always audible, quiet during
the day and loud at night. The live video gives visitors an insight into
change of tides and seasons. The stream runs continuously, day and night.
7
180% on fire
Longega Project, 2024,
Mixed Media,
Dimensions variable
The badminton tournament is an integral part of the residency program in Longega. After every exhibition opening, a tournament is organized with all residency artists and guests, which is always played with great passion.
Within the installation “180% on fire”, by Longega Project, the playing field and the sporting activity become an artistic act. In keeping with the Longega Project tradition, the tournament is organized the day after the exhibition
opening. In an open call organized by Horanggasy Creative Studio, a
tournament is held on the badminton court. Anyone interested can
register online in advance via the website [www.german-pavilion-gwangju-biennale.org]. After the opening ceremony, visitors are invited to play a game of badminton in the exhibition space.
