Choe U-Ram, a Korean artist, the most eye-catching representative of contemporary kinetic sculpture, who actively stays on the international art stage. He is well-known for his expertise on creating enigmatic machinery installation by using rigid stainless steel, delicate metal, micro-motor, luminary and heat sensor, and LED etc. His works blends with various fields such as mythological esthetics, mechanical engineering, IC technology, visual arts, acousto-optic, music, philosophy, biology etc, as if dream weaving magic. U-Ram’s works have earned him the honor of “Young Artist Today Award” in Korea three times, and he marches toward international further, becomes the shiniest star in the art field.
U-Ram separates each letter of his name as “United Research of Anima Machine” and publishes a series of works named in Latin (scientific name) with the form of “Pseudo-science observation report”, and each piece of his works are given their own stories as if they realistically exist. U-Ram’s works break through the edge of time and space, and show symbol and metaphor that our senses unable to convey.
Making his works alive, U-Ram keeps the slowly movement of the cold machine for their bizarre percipience, furthermore, they appear with science-fictional carriage accompany rhythm. Not only imitating pre-historical creatures such as plants, fish, and insects, but also deriving from ancient mythology and religion that makes his machinery sculptures express more societal implication and primitive fears from human beings. He names his works “Anima Machine”, conveys the core of his creations perfectly.
He is fond of denominating his works in Latin and Sanskrit, to coin images as if they have been existing for ages, glowing faintly with slow movement. Definitions of lives are ambiguous, once if machines start moving, we could also define them as new-born lives. Their movements are circulate spontaneously, as inherent motive force of real life. Leaving the restraint and limits of traditional mechanical sculpture behind, U-ram leads us to explore the very first of organism existence nature through the usage of contemporary technology, and predicts the end of civilization from the origin. From the esthetics with slow movement rhythm his works show, we can see the sublimation of art craft, the initiation of “ Anima Machine”. Under the delicate fascinating cover, is the primeval desire of humanity; behind the rhythm of the cold machinery movement, is not barely the atmosphere or stories which U-Ram’s works show, they are souls and lives oscillating. Once when you thought the works just barely captivate your attention at the first sight, however, the lingering charm of their slowly, elegantly movement and shine reflects realistic perception and inherent touch from the inside.
As if an alchemist in 21th century, esthetics that Choe U-Ram crosses over from plains limit, alike prayers, also mirror image samples of time and space, which imply the slight connection between universe and human being as dust. This is the dimension originated by Choe U-Ram’s art. From the bizarre space which reveals by those machinery creatures’ movement , not only can we find the mist and mystery of organism, but also pry into the secret of universe, and rise our inherent touch. When Choe U-Ram’s works appear lively in our sight, and draw the outline of collective life memories of contemporary people, the fantasy, immensity and sublimity, endorse the glorious view of contemporary kinetic art, concretely but slightly.
‘Choe U-Ram’, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
'U-Ram Choe Show', John Curtin Gallery, Perth, Australia
2011
‘In Focus’, Asia Society Museum, New York, USA
2010
‘New Urban Species’, First Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, USA
‘Kalpa’, Bitforms Gallery, New York, USA
2008
‘Anima Machines’, SCAI The Bath House, Tokyo, Japan
2007
‘U-Ram Choe’, The Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas, USA
2006
‘New Active Sculpture’, Bitforms Gallery, New York, USA
‘City Energy- MAM Project004’, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
2002
‘Ultima Mudfox’, Do Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2001
‘170 Box Robot’, Hello Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea
1998
‘Civilization Host’, Gallery Boda, Seoul, Korea
Group Exhibition -
2024
‘Language of the Universe –Numbers’ : Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, Korea
Sapporo International Art Festival 2024 : LAST SNOW. Hokkaido Shiki Theater. Sapporo. Japan
2023
<Uncertain Threshold>. Space CAN& Old House, Seoul, Korea
Project Jeju : Migrating Human – Homo Migratio, Jeju Museum of Art, Jeju Island, Korea
'Dimensions! Digital Art since 1859', Pittlerwerke , Leipzig, Germany
'Home', YUZ Museum Panlong Tiandi, Shanghai, China
'The Ulsan Art Museum Collection : Future Collection', Ulsan Art Museum, Ulsan, Korea
2022
'Inlay-Combination of disparate things', Horim Museum, Seoul, Korea
2021
'Pohang Steel Art Festival', Pohang, Korea
'Ephemeral Gravity', LEEUM, Seoul, Korea
'WARM REVITALIZATION', Gangwon Triennale 2021', Hongcheon, Gangwondo, Korea
2020
'ART AND ENERGY: Energy exchanger & Reservoir in our life', Jeonbuk Museum of Art,
Korea
'Deconstruct the Past from the Future', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
'Face of the Spring No. 20', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
'HYUNDAI 50 PART2', Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
'HYUNDAI X ELEKTRA - METAMORPHOSIS', Hyundai Motorstudio, Seoul, Korea
2019
'Art 021', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
'Art Busan International Art Fair', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Busan, Korea
'Art Central Hong Kong', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Hong Kong
'Flowery Spring', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
'APMA, CHAPTER ONE - FROM THE APMA COLLECTION', AmorePacfic Museum of Art, Korea
2018
'2050 A Brief History of the Future', Asian Art Biennial 2018, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts,Taichung, Taiwan
'BOTANICA' Busan Museum of Art, Busan, Korea
'BIO' Daejeon Biennale, Daejeon of Art Museum, Korea
'Art Central Hong Kong', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Hong Kong
2017
'ART TAIPEI', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
'Trace of Time' Jeju Kim Chang-Yeul Museum of Art, Jeju, Korea
'What You Will', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2016
'Odyssey:Navigating Nameless Seas' Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
'Extension' Triumph Gallery, Moscow, Russia
'Utopias and Heterotopias' The Wuzhen International Art Exhibition, The North Silk Factory, Wuzhen, China
'Merry Go-Round', ART TAIPEI, Taipei, Taiwan
'Look Up Rose on The Sky', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwa
2015
'New Light---Catch Your Eye', Metaphysical Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
'Seoul vite vite!', Lille 3000 'Renaissance', Le Tripostal, Lille, France
'Re:Kontemporary_Fermented Souls', Waterfall Mansion, New York, USA
2014
'Signature Art prize 2014', Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation, Singapore
'The brilliant art project 2nd--Dream Society: Xbrid', Seoul Museum, Seoul, Korea
'Leeum 10th Anniversary--Beyond and Between', Leeum Samsung Museum, Seoul, Korea
'Myth/History: Yuz Collection of Contemporary Art', YUZ Museum Shanghai, Shanghai, China
'ThingWorld; International Triennial of New Media Art 2014', National Art Museum of China(NAMOC), Beijing, China
2013
'Post-humanist Desire: Sexuality and Digitality in Contemporary Art' Museum, MOCA, Taipei, Taiwan
'Site Specific Art Project: Choe-U-Ram', National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
'Who is Alice?’, Spazio Lightbox, Venice, Italy
'Era of Grand Navigation Korean Art', Busan Museum of Art, Busan, Korea
'Kinesthetics: Art Imitating Life’, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, New York, USA
'Flow, Just Flow', University of Richmond Museums, Richmond, USA
'DNA (Design and Art)', Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea
2012
'Korean Eye 2012', Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
'Re-Opening', DOOSAN Gallery Seoul, Seoul, Korea
'Google Zeitgeist 2012', The Grove, London, UK
'Dream Walking in the Magical Reality', the National Museum of 'Contemporary Art', Gwacheon, Korea
2011
'The Creators Project; New York 2011', DUMBO, New York, USA
'Opening Exhibition', Jung-a choi gallery, Seoul, Korea
'Code Name: Save Joseph Clinic Part2', Joseph Clinic, Seoul, Korea
2010
'Made in Popland', the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea
'Power House', Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
'Printemps Parfume', Centre des Arts d’ Enghien les Bains, Enghien les Bains, France
'SACA-Soul of Asian Contemporary Art', Hakgojae gallery, Seoul, Korea
'i-Robot', Soma Museum', Seoul, Korea
'Cybernetics', Poma Museum, Pohang, Korea
2009
'Beginning of New Era', the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
'The imaginary line', Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
'No longer empty – Transformation', New York, USA
'D-AiR', Doosan Gallery, New York, USA
'Eye of the pacific rim-SU:MBISORI', JMOA(Jeju Museum of art), Jeju, Korea
'The Garden at 4PM', Gana Art, New York, USA
2008
'Made Up ; Liverpool Biennial', FACT, Liverpool, UK
'1st Asian Art Triennial', Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, UK
'Open Space', NTT Intercommunication Center[ICC], Tokyo, Japan
2007
'Sprit of Place; Genius Loci, 3th Biwako Biennale', Omi Hachiman City, Japan
'Summer Show', Bitforms Gallery, New York, USA
'Korean Host Country Exhibit', ARCO, Madrid, Spain
2006
'6th Shanghai Biennale-Hyper Design', Shanghai, China
'Seoul Forest Open Air Sculpture Symposium', Seoul Forest Park, Seoul, Korea
'Art Basel', Museum Basel, Basel, Switzerland
2005
'Opening Exhibition', Bitforms Gallery Seoul, Seoul, Korea
'Art Basel', Museum Basel, Basel, Switzerland
'Hardcore Machine', Art Space Hue, Seoul, Korea
'Opening Exhibition', Gallery Chiwoo, Gwacheon, Korea
2004
'Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art Opening Exhibition', Leeum, Seoul, Korea
‘Stillness & Movement’, Seoul Olympic Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Busan Biennale’, Busan Metropolitan Art Museum, Busan, Korea
‘Art Basel’, Museum Basel, Basel, Switzerland
‘Chinese International Gallery Exposition’, Beijing Expocenter, Beijing, China
‘Offisina Asia’, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Bologna, Italy
‘The Armory Show’, Pier 90 & 92, New York, USA
2003
‘Artist is a Magician’, Gallery Artside, Seoul, Korea
‘Fake & Fantasy’, Art Center Nabi, Seoul, Korea
‘International Digital Art Exhibition’, Uijeongbu Arts Center, Uijeongbu, Korea
‘D.U.M.B.O. art under the bridge festival, DUMBO, Brooklyn, New York, USA
‘Art Basel’, Museum Basel, Basel ,Switzerland
‘Cartoon in Art, Art in Cartoon’, Ewha Women’s University Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Prince & Princess’, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
‘Electric Power’, Kepco Plaza Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2002
‘Our House’, Shinsa-dong House, Seoul, Korea
‘Football through Art’, Chosun Ilbo Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Space! Unlimited possibility performance’, Jayu Theater, Seoul Art Center, Seoul, Korea
‘Planet of Insect’, Seoho Art Museum, Yangsu-ri, Korea
‘Faery’, Mongwan, Seoul, Korea
‘New Face 2002’, Total Open-Air Museum, Jangheung, Korea
‘Imagination & Curiosity’, Insa Art Space, Seoul, Korea
2001
‘Working Degree Zero’, Gallery Boda, Seoul, Korea
‘Children’s Month’, Kumho Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Digital Art Networking Project’, Techno Mart, Seoul, Korea
‘Artificial Life’, Busan Municipal Art Museum, Busan, Korea
‘Net-Plant Project’, Art Center Nabi, Seoul, Korea
2000
Sculpture Amusement Park’, Sungkok Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘The Exhibition of Paints which make you better smart’, Savina Gallery, Seoul, Korea
‘Expression of Period-eyes & hands’, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Chungang Sculpture Society’, Jongro Gallery, Seoul, Korea
‘Im-pregnancy’, Art Gallery, The Korea Culture & Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Expression of Age’, Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Art Center, Seoul, Korea
‘Unexpected Visit’, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
1999
‘Republic of Gadget’, Gallery Warehouse, Ilsan, Korea
‘Korea Contemporary Art Trends in the 90’s’, Ellen Kim Murphy gallery, Seoul, Korea
‘Seoul Lumia of Century in Media’, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
‘Demonstration Bus’, Sungkok Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
‘Chungang Sculpture Society’, Seonam Art Center, Seoul, Korea
‘’99 Nine Dragon Heads’, Cheongju national Museum, Cheongju, Korea
‘Blasphemy, Total Museum of Contemporary Art’, Seoul, Korea
‘Garden of Mimesis – A Note on Life Written by Technology Artists’, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
1998
’98 Nine Dragon heads’, Daecheongho, Cheongju, Korea
‘Chungang Sculpture Society’, Total Open-Air Museum, Jangheung, Kore
1997
‘Three hundred spaces’ , Dam gallery, Seoul, Korea
‘Gwangju Aperto – The Special exhibition of 2nd Gwangju Biennale’, Education & PR Hall, Gwangju, Korea
‘Chungang Sculpture Society’, Seonam Art Center, Seoul, Korea
‘Sound – II’, Yookyong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Awards and Residencies -
2024
2024 Monthly Art Award, Artist Category Grand Prize, Monthly Art, Korea
2022
As the artist for the exhibition MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2022, Korea.
2014
2014 Finalist, Signature Art Prize, Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation, Singapore.
Autodesk AIR program ,San Francisco U.S.A
2009
'Young Artist Today Award', Fine arts part, Korean government, Korea
Residency at Doosan Art Center, New York
‘Kim se choong Sculpture Award’, Young sculptor part, Kim se choong memorial work organization, Korea
2006
'POSCO Steel Art Award', grand prize, POSCO TJ Park foundation, Korea
