Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson recently unveiled his installation 'Breathing Earth Sphere' on Docho Island, part of South Korea's largest archipelago. Known for his innovative explorations of nature and perception, Eliasson presented the inaugural work of the Shinan Art Island Project, which aims to connect the region's over 1,000 islands (many UNESCO-designated for their ecological significance) through public art.
Inspired by Dochodo Island's volcanic landscape and rich geological history, Breathing Earth Sphere is situated within the Dochodo National Park Garden. Visitors can access the installation via a serene pine-lined pathway, with the option to pause at a hackberry tree before entering a dimly lit tunnel that leads to the main installation—a vast, spherical space measuring ten meters in diameter, hidden beneath the earth's surface. The interior of the sphere is adorned with 1,200 lava tiles in 24 shades of red, green, and cyan, with color transitions symbolizing the flow of energy from the planet's core to plant life on the surface.
Eliasson describes the space as a seamless environment without distinct boundaries—no clear walls, floor, or ceiling—offering a fully immersive experience that encourages visitors to lose themselves in the present moment. 'Standing there, you may feel, simply, a sense of presence, here and now, within the sphere. The tiles, transitioning from red to green, relate intuitively to the earth and its life-giving nutrients,' he explains.
Under the slogan '1 Island, 1 Museum,' the Shinan Art Island Project aims to establish unique art installations or galleries on each of the archipelago's islands. Upcoming projects include works by renowned artists James Turrell on Nodaedo Island and Antony Gormley on Bigeumdo Island.
Source link: https://www.euronews.com
