Haegue Yang’s exhibition, “Leap Year,” at Hayward Gallery in London offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors. As you enter the space through a curtain of tiny bells in “Sonic Droplets in Gradation – Water Veil,” you are immediately transported into a world where sound and art intertwine to create a sensory journey. Yang’s work explores the relationship between sound and art, the sacred and material realms, and the activation of artworks by participants.
The exhibition features a diverse range of sculptures on castors made of reflective strips, venetian blinds, rattan, and metal bells. The walls are painted in a striking shade of blue and adorned with monochrome collages of famous faces, adding layers of meaning to the space. One of the most intriguing aspects of the exhibition is the weekly performance where black-clad performers activate the sculptures, creating a sense of ritual and mystery in the gallery space.
Yang’s exploration of ritual and dormant power is further evident in her series of collages, “Mesmerizing Mesh,” which are crafted from hanji, a mulberry bark paper used in Korean shamanism. These delicate works are displayed alongside anthropomorphic sculptures woven from straw, evoking a sense of folklore and tradition. The juxtaposition of organic and technological elements in Yang’s work creates a thought-provoking dialogue on the nature of art production and experience.
The exhibition culminates in a series of sculptures made from venetian blinds that incorporate heat lamps, fans, and scent atomizers to transform the atmosphere of the gallery space. These works invite viewers to consider how materials can both conceal and reveal their surroundings, blurring the lines between art and environment.
“Haegue Yang: Leap Year” is a must-see exhibition that challenges conventional notions of art and invites visitors to engage with the space in new and unexpected ways. Curated by Hayward Gallery Senior Curator Yung Ma, the exhibition runs until January 5, 2025, offering a unique opportunity to experience Yang’s groundbreaking work firsthand.
