Art Review: Ayoung Kim’s Exhibition at MoMA PS1
Ayoung Kim’s latest exhibition at MoMA PS1 is a mesmerizing blend of live-action footage, video game engines, and generative AI that weaves together a series of speculative narratives. Titled “Delivery Dancer Codex,” the exhibition showcases Kim’s unique vision and storytelling prowess.
In her studio in Seoul’s Nakwon Sangga, Ayoung Kim immerses herself in the city’s complex dynamics, where capitalism and tradition intersect. This backdrop serves as the foundation for her exploration of themes such as labor, identity, and resistance in the face of standardization.
The trilogy of video installations in the exhibition begins with “Delivery Dancer’s Sphere” (2022), which introduces us to two female drivers, En Storm and Ernst Mo. As they navigate a gamified delivery system orchestrated by a mysterious “Dancemaster,” the boundaries between reality and fiction blur. The drivers’ quest for optimization leads them to the brink of invisibility, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of capitalism.
In the subsequent installations, “Delivery Dancer’s Arc: Inverse” and “Delivery Dancer’s Arc: 0º Receiver” (both 2024), Kim delves deeper into the themes of invisibility and fugitivity. Storm and Mo’s journey takes them through desert landscapes and vertically organized fictional worlds, challenging the Timekeepers’ imposition of absolute time. The fluidity of their relationship mirrors the divergent temporalities that resist the homogenizing forces of capitalism.
Kim’s use of technology and traditional navigation methods creates a multi-layered experience for viewers. The installations invite us to reconsider our relationship with time, labor, and desire in a world dominated by technology. Through fragmented narratives and virtual landscapes, Kim prompts us to embrace possibilities beyond standardization.
The physical installations within the exhibition, from helmets to sundials, enhance the immersive experience, blurring the lines between reality and virtuality. Kim’s exploration of fractured identities and desires resonates throughout the exhibition, challenging viewers to embrace multiplicity in a world that demands singularity.
“Ayoung Kim: Delivery Dancer Codex” is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and art. Curated by Ruba Katrib, the exhibition is on view at MoMA PS1 until March 16, 2026. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in Ayoung Kim’s captivating universe.
