When "new media art" became the solution to endow cultural identity to its community? - the history of new media art in South Korea since 1980s

Abstract

Since the beginning of Venice Biennale was to revitalize the city, many cultural events are required to devote the revitalization of a coutnry, or a cuty where they are held. In South Korea, there have been lots of "new media art" related art instutitions, organizations, and festivals since 1980s. It looks like that there are many creators, audiences, practitioners. However, it means that "new media art" are not officially accepted by the arts as generally. The first media art installation in art museum was "The More, The Better" by Nam June Paik in 1987 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. It was to memorize the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The 1st biggest media art exhibition was held in 1993 as one of the cultural events of 1993 Daejoen Expo. In South Korea, new media art is expected to revive old community to endow innovative, futuristic images to the communities. To re:trace the history how the cultural institutions of South Korea have related to "new media art" and "new media artists" will let us show the various aspects such as the expectation for the new cultural identity, the struggle of the artists for their creative freedom, the new version of nation-driven art in the contemporary society.