Going Behind the Icons and Identities Exhibition for the First Time

BEHIND THE SCENES

by PARK JINIL Curator of the Exhibition Division, National Museum of Korea

Have you ever attended the opening ceremony of an exhibition at a museum or art gallery? In your imagination you can hear the congratulatory speeches and see the beautifully arranged exhibition space. Behind the bright lights of such glittering exhibitions are the unseen efforts of the curators who work so hard to make these events to happen.

Icons and Identities is a special exhibition opening at the National Museum of Korea in 2021 that brings together the major works from the National Portrait Gallery, London for display in Korea for the first time. Generally, when the decision has been made to hold an exhibition of foreign cultural items or artworks parties from both countries meet to discuss the works to be selected. Also, they sign a formal agreement and discuss matters such as the composition of the exhibition and the publication of a catalog. When the items belonging to the overseas museum have been packed they are sent to the NMK under escort. When they arrive, they are installed in the display cases after being inspected by representatives from both sides. The curator in charge must look after all aspects of this preparation process, down to the fine details that are hard for anyone else to imagine. If variables occur and work does not proceed as scheduled the curator inevitably grows anxious and agitated.

Because of COVID-19, the works for Icons and Identities were transported without a custodian and inspected through online meetings. It was a completely new way of doing things. As such, 2021 has become a year when we actually miss the tension of preparing for an exhibition. Unfortunately, meetings and inspections had to be held without seeing first-hand the works to be exhibited and we were not able to sit down and talk face to face, making for a preparation process that almost brought tears to my eyes. Hopefully, we can return to everyday life and people can come together and look around the exhibition filled with people and life. This special exhibition Icons and Identities prepared by overcoming the difficulties of this unprecedented situation is now ready for visitors. If you have the chance, come to see the wonderful works on display and get a feel of the curator’s hidden thoughts and feelings as well.