We are now facing one of the greatest paradigm shifts which humanity has experienced. The world has been dramatically transforming since the advent of the pandemic and the future is becoming more unpredictable. Now is the time we need re-discovery, re-establishment, and reproduction in our daily lives.. In this time of uncertainty, some designers are showing their artworks with the theme of ‘Revolution through Design’ to deliver their own message and to communicate with the public. Visit the Gwangju Design Biennale (hereafter, GDB) and experience the combination of artworks and revolution.
The 2021 GDB is the 9th biennale organized by the Gwangju Institute of Design Promotion since 2005. ‘D-Revolution’, the theme of this year’s GDB, refers to a change or shift in a hopeful sense, despite the recent, sudden turbulence resulting from the pandemic. The idea for the main theme was originally conceived with the historical background of the Gwangju Democracy Movement back in 1980 under the dictatorship. The wounds that were inflicted on Gwangju citizens and participants have been slowly healed and the democratic revolution did eventually come. Revolution is about change and contains the word ‘revolution’ which can refer to change, development, modification, and transformation. These terms resonate now more than ever in our current daily lives, and on a global scale. Addressing crises and working towards healing from both past and present are crucial for positively moving forward. D’ Revolution aims to launch a revolution with positive change, hope and optimism, and strength in the knowledge that love and beauty through design transcend over walls and borders.
While the first obvious referent of D’ is “design”, the theme is expressed with five interesting keywords: Data, Dimension, Day, Doing, and Description. The collaboration between human and technology is also a noteworthy theme. The 2021 GDB seeks to highlight these advancements particularly in relation to the positive ways they are helping the world cope with the current pandemic through the designs of digital and smart technologies.
The exhibition is divided into five halls with different themes: Theme Hall with ‘d-Revolution, and beyond’, International Hall with ‘DUB-Revolution’, AI Hall with ‘d-Revolution for Day’, Experience Hall with ‘d-Revolution for Evolution’, and Regional Industry Hall with ‘d-Revolution for Gwangju’.
The GDB serves as a platform to highlight the best and promising talents at home and abroad and let them communicate with each other. An international conference – ‘From the Basic to the Revolution’ – hosted in the biennale would be an exciting opportunity for international exchanges of ideas and insights with a diverse range of highly renowned designers, curators, professors, businesses, and students around the globe.
Above all, the Gwangju Design Biennale is a celebration of design, imagination, creativity, innovation and application. Needless to say, various activities are scheduled including exhibitions, special exhibitions, the unveiling of landmark sculptures, conferences, educational and interactive workshops, and design business projects to cover the broad interests of patrons, guests, sponsors, and visitors alike.
Up to the early October, more than 400 thousands people visited, including offline and online. Visit the following website quickly and be freely connected with designs from Korea. (http://www.gdbvr.or.kr/)
Kayla Hong
Asia Journal
