VIDO - Jeju
Exhibition • 2025
Soombi-Hwa: The Breath of Survival
In partnership with South Korea’s largest media art OTT platform VIDO, “Soombi-Hwa” opened this autumn at the VIDO Gallery Jeju, located within the complex cultural space Heritique Jeju.
The exhibition title ‘Soombi-Hwa’ (숨비화) is a powerful combination of two concepts: the profound biological breath a Jeju haenyeo (traditional female diver) exhales when she breaches the water's surface, and the word for flower (hwa). Together, they simultaneously symbolize the vital breath of survival and the beautiful, fleeting blooming of life.
Showcasing new works inspired directly by travels across Jeju Island, the exhibition uses the iconic yellow canola flowers encountered across the four seasons as a central motif. It stands as a visual admiration for the extraordinary, deeply-rooted life energy of this volcanic island, embodying the birth and circulation of life where light and dark intersect.
Monumental & Unorthodox Width
The technical demands of the gallery’s uniquely wide immersive screen necessitated an unorthodox approach to visual framing and simulation scale. By pushing generative systems past standard 4K limitations, we ensured that the digital flora seamlessly traverses an immense distance without visually repeating, allowing visitors to feel completely engulfed in an endless cycle of breathing nature.
Bridging Cultures Through Art
The exhibition has captured considerable media attention for bridging cross-cultural interpretations of nature. According to South Korean news platform AsiaToday, "Soombi-Hwa" successfully intertwines the Jeju haenyeo’s ‘exhaling breath’ with the blooming of life, translating the island's primary life energy into a media language that resonates deeply with domestic audiences despite its international origin.
CEO Shim Sang-hoon of VIDO Gallery noted, "This exhibition is a meaningful special exhibition that artistically unravels Jeju's nature and human breath." Through ongoing dialogue with VIDO's directors and the Jeju arts community, this exhibition continues to spark conversations surrounding the harmony between nature and high-technology, fostering an environment where both artists and the local community can enjoy art in everyday life.
