OBBA's dichroic film installations reflect color and light at deoksugung palace in seoul

OBBA‘s daehan yeonhyang is a series of temporary dichroic film installations placed around the junghwajeon hall of deoksugung palace in seoul. part of the outdoor exhibition, architecture and heritage: unearthing future, organized by the national museum of modern and contemporary art (MMCA), the public art installation series reflects light and projects rainbow colors on the pavement stones. hanging from round metal structures, the dichroic film pieces play with wind to scatter light and cast ornate shadows that resemble a dance. in this way, visitors are propelled to constantly observe the ever-changing surroundings, and in turn reflect on the historical meaning of the site.images by kyung roh

in celebration of the 50th anniversary, the national museum of modern and contemporary art invited OBBA to present daehan yeonhyang as part of architecture and heritage: unearthing future, an exhibition presenting various artworks by contemporary architects that reinterpret and materialize the korean empire’s dream for the future city. the project is positioned inside the historic deoksugung palace in seoul, on the pavement stones of the front yard of junghwajeon hall, a symbolic daehan yeonhyang (which translates to, the korean empire royal banquet) comprises a series of joyful public installations that combine dichroic films hanging from metal structures in a form reminiscent of korean traditional sunshades.

OBBA chose dichroic film as the main material for its combination of mirror-effect and transparency at the same time, which allows it to reflect light and project rainbow colors on the pavement stones. hanging from the metal structures, these films scatter light and cast ornate shadows, creating the scenery anew through the endless turns of reflection and projection from the collision of light and wind.

‘deoksugung palace was the stage for major events during the political chaos towards the end of emperor gojong’s reign, and is a historical site for heartbreaking historical events and memoires,’ explains sojung lee & sangjoon kwak, founders of OBBA. ‘“eight-fold folding screen of royal banquet” in the “imin year during emperor gojong’s reign” depicts the scenes form the last palatial feast of the joseon dynasty in 1902 that celebrated the 51st birthday (mangyooksoon) and the 40th anniversary of the accession of emperor gojong (daehan). this yeonhyang (royal banquet) during the time when the future of the country was uncertain would have evoked grief and disheartenment rather than jubilation. “daehan yeonhyang” elevates the grief suffused in the memory of this yeonhyang into an elation. a medium for yet another collision, the project hopes to bring healing through joy to the last yeonhyang that is sure to have been weighed with sadness,’ the two add.

daehan yeonhyang conceptual drawing eight-fold folding screen of royal banquet in the imin year during emperor gojong’s reign, color on silk, 1902. amorepacific museum of art collection