Gim Gwang Cheol is a performance artist renown in his native South Korea and around the world. The first week of May, he offers a workshop at Grace Exhibition Space focused on the uses of timing, sound, music, gesture, and objects in the creation of performance art. His Performance Art Academy has previously taken place in South Korea and Bangladesh.

The artist relates power with language. Language is power, and language forms civilization, civilization needs power from society. The human mouth has a weapon called language that produces absolute power. Power never changes but the form changes. Form can change by time and place but the characteristics never change. The individual creatures that exist inside cannot be ever free in that society.

MORE ABOUT GIM GWANG CHEOL

The renowned performance artist Mr. Gim Gwang Cheol is closing his two year long World Tour with a very special performance at The Grace Exhibition Space

We are thrilled and honored to be hosting his event, with performances by Mr. Gim, his student from South Korea Ms. Kyeonghua Park

THE DOCUMENTARY OF MR. GIM'S 2-YEAR WORLD TOUR WILL BE A FILM AND TV SERIES PREMIERING IN 2016

ABOUT THE ACADEMY 

Gim Gwang Cheol is a performance artist renown in his native South Korea and around the world. The first week of May, he offers a workshop at Grace Exhibition Space focused on the uses of timing, sound, music, gesture, and objects in the creation of performance art. His Performance Art Academy has previously taken place in South Korea and Bangladesh.

GIM GWANG CHEOL 

The artist relates power with language. Language is power, and language forms civilization, civilization needs power from society. The human mouth has a weapon called language that produces absolute power. Power never changes but the form changes. Form can change by time and place but the characteristics never change. The individual creatures that exist inside cannot be ever free in that society.
Meet Gim Gwang Cheol, renowned Performance Artist from Gwangju, South Korea - in residency with workshops + performance May 3-May 8 at Grace Exhibition Space, Brooklyn:
Gim Gwang Cheol PROFILE
Artist , Art Director & Performance Art Academy Bulider
Global Making Art Networks ( 2012 ~ ) President
Performance Art Dream PAMONG ( 2003~ 2005 ) President
Total Art Group ' KNOCK ' ( 1994~1997) Artist and Program Directing
ARTIST STATEMENT
( English & Korean Language )
Artist's statement The artist's perspective on society is existential. He went through 518 Gwangju pro-democracy movement (many people died by their own soldiers) and 1980 military coup. So his school days were under the military dictatorship. Naturally he had been thinking about personal freedom and democracy. After then, he started to read about Taoism, Buddhism, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and history. His first priority was philosophy but he entered art department and began painting and performance.
His sight is multiple and dialectical. And he recognizes each value in life itself. He take himself as an balanced principal agent moving around the society. Therefore his role is to creat humanistic discourses by broaden artistic expressions. Performance art is good way to do so. Because there are various way to do it - exhibition, presentation, festival, planning, achive, writing - and make things more plexible in this 'solid' physical world by stopping solidifying thinking. He is keep asking about humanity, human of artistic flexibility, naturality and civilization. His art method of communication is fun and creating space of think

Gwang Cheol Gim was born in South Korea in 1967. He graduated Department of Fine Art at Chonnam national university in 1996 and working as a full-time artist since then. From 1993 he's been performing body art in a experimental way. Also he hosted painting exhibition 4 times.
1. Creation and presentation His first performance art work as an individual was 'memory loading; babel'(2009). Next was 'physical power plant; the paper'(2010), and the third was ‘table domino'(2010) as am art play with audiences. Now he's presenting dynamically 'tear of politics', the fourth work with the method of combination of digital and analog. Since 2009, he is working concept performance art as a exploration of new possibility of expression. He performed in US, Canada, German, Poland, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Philippine, Bangladesh, Singapore, etc. and now he is planning world tour in 12 nations. (From July to December this year in Asia, Europe and North America.)
2. Plan of exhibitions and festivals He is also an organizer of performance festival. Typical works were 'Ecology; Civilized Tree' and 'Gwangju International Media Performance Art Festival' and 'Gwangju-Anyang International Performance Festival (co-work with Anyang curating). There was 51 Artists from 15 countries who worked with in last two festivals.
3. Performance Academy In 2006 he realized something and developed performance academy in his name. (2012) It was carried on 5 weeks in Gwangju(2012), 9 weeks in Seoul(2013), 5 weeks in Dhaka(Bangladesh 2013). In this project, it extended its conditions to maximize The inner artistic expression of individuals. The participants presented their self and looked into their selves with healing. It is going to be carried in Jeonju, Korea in 2014.
4. 2014 Project Performance Art & tour Painting of 12 countries around the world
His major project in 2014 is the world tour in 12 countries. It includes Europe, North America and Asia. Germany, Finland, Poland, UK, US, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Philippine, Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia are already set. Other some are on progress. This project is from the purpose that 'the good work of meaning and reason should be spread all over the world'. Art has power to make people cognize reason and value of life and brings up the sympathy. That's why he does this world tour and makes network all over the world.

ARTIST CURRICULUM VITAE
Performance Art
1st solo exhibition ‘ memory loading ; babel ’ 2009
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2nd solo exhibition ‘ physical power plant ; the paper ’
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
3rd solo exhibition ‘ table domino ’
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
4th solo exhibition ‘ tears of politics ’
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
another performance art works
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
Painting Art
2013 ~ 2014 painting works
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/…
2008 ~2010 painging works
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
1995~2000 painting works
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Graduation Jeonnam University .College of Fine Arts .Major of Western Painting Art . KOREA
2012 GWANGJU INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL ART DIRECTOR
2012 ANYANG INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL ART DIRECTOR
SOLO EXHIBITION
Performance Art
2014 Romantic Material 1 / Gwangju . KOREA
2013 Tears of Politics / KOREA
2010 Table Domino / Pickup Unit 1 Gallery , 798 Art Zone , Beijing , CHINA
2010 Physical Power Plant ; the Paper /, Quebeck CANADA , Songzhang , CHINA Jeonju KOREA , POLAND , New York .USA
2009 Memory Loading ; Babel 1st solo performance art exhibition . Gwangju . KOREA & Beijing . CHINA
Painting Art
2014 Romantic ; Lone, Cat , Fortress / La Fresko Europian
2010 Romantic Bullect /Mugeung Gallery, Gwangju , KOREA
2009 Regend ; all or nothing / Lotte Gallery. Gwangju .KOREA
2008 memory loading ; battle of desire / Namdo Food Museum Exhibition hall . Gwangju. KOREA
1997 Breathe . Look .Exhale 1st solo Painting Exhibition , Gwangju ,KOREA
ANOTHER EXHIBITIONS
2015 NORTH AMERICA 2 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL' ( 10th April - 12th May )
Mexico City in MEXICO / EXTRA International Performance Art Festival , Rocio Boliver's Performance Art Workshop . Art space Mexico
New York in USA / Performance Art Academy in New York . Grace Exhibition Space
2015 ASIA 4 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL' ( 30th January - 2nd Feburary )
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Los Banos , LIPA in PHILIPPINE / Makling Inter- Cultural Art Festival . De La LIPA Art Event
Bandung in INDONESIA / Asbestos Art Space
Mandalay in MYANMAR / Dreamland Art Studio
Bangkok in THAILAND / HOF Art Space
2014 EURPOE 6 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL' ( 21th August - 18th September )
Tampere in FINLAND / PerformanceFiesta , Y - Festival
Tallinn & Parnu in ESTONIA
Paris in FRANCE / Ponpidou Center Square
Amsthedam in NETHERLAND / Mixed Project
Oslo in NORWAY / National Theater Square
London in ENGLAND / Art Space Anatum's Abode ,
2014 ' Tears of Politics '4th Performance Art Exhibition in JEONJU. KOREA
2013 Britto Space Performance Art and Paint Art Exhibition / BANGLADESHI
2013 Performance in Gdańsk - in "SPIZ 7" gallery/ POLAND
2013 Szczecin National Museum / POLAND
2013 BIPAF (BROOKLYN INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL)/ USA
2013 BERLIN Platoon Kunthalle / GERMANY
2013 RITES ' Performance Art / SINGAFORE
2012 New York ‘ Grace Exhibition Spapce ‘ Performance Art . USA
2012 Montreal Performance Art Project ‘ THEME ROOM ‘ CANADA
2012 GWANGJU ART MUSEUM 20TH SPECIAL EXHIBITION . KOREA
2012 Huston International Performance Art Biennale . USA
2011 NEW YORK PROJECT ROOM ‘ SHARE’ Performance Art . USA
2011 MAIMI FOUNTAIN ART FAIR . USA
2011 HONG KONG 1911-2011 PERFORMANCE ART & EXHIBITION . HONG KONG
2011 NEW YORK ‘ GRACE EXHIBITION SPACE GALLERY . USA
2011 CHICAGO BRILLIATOR GALLERY . USA
2011 CHICAGO CALLING INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL . USA
2011 NEW JERSEY ‘STAGE’ GALLERY . USA
2011 INTERAKCJE 13 international performance art festival . POLAND
2010 QUEBECK RIAP international performance art festival . CANADA
2010 SONGZHANG 6th international art festival . CHINA
2010 ZHANGSHA 2nd live art festival . CHINA
2009 OPEN ART international performance art festival 798 . CHINA
2009 Changwon Asia Modern Art Festival . KOREA
2008 ASIA video performance art exhibition. MACAU
2008 Tama 08 international performance art event . PHILIPPINES
2007 JAPAN AND CHINA exchange performance art event . CHINA
2007 NIPAF international performance art service . JAPAN
2006 Gwang Ju Diglog body-art festival . KOREA
2004 GwangJu biennale . KOREA
2002 Busan biennale international performance art event . KOREA
2000 Seoul international performance art festival . KOREA
1995 yatoo International natural art festival in gongju . KOREA
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
2013 Britto International artists residency in BANGLADESHI ( 1 Month )
2013 Hongsung Art Residency in KOREA ( 3 Months )
2011 Gwangju street of Art asian Resident in KOREA ( 1 Month )
2010 Resident artist of Gwangju art museum, in Beijing CHINA ( 6 Months )
2010 Jeonju Nambu Old Market Resident in KOREA ( 1 Month )
ART DIRECTING
2014 Gwangju Biennale 20th Special Exhibition ' SWEET DEW , SINCE 1980 ' INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART EVENT ' LOOK TOGETHER ' ( Program Director )
2012 ANYANG INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE ART FESTIVAL ( Art Director )
2012 Gwangju International Media Performance Art Festival ( Art Director )
opening ceremony https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
6th sep https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
7th sep https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
8th ~ 9th sep https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
8th sep https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
9th sep https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2009 Changwon Asia Morden Art Festival ' Asia Performance Art Program ' ( Programer )
2009 Art and City DAMYANG OPENING EVENT ( Open Event Programer )
2009  in Gwangju Lotte Gallery. Korea ( Art Director )
2006  in Gwangju. KOREA ( Art Director )
2006  in Gwangju. KOREA ( Art Director )
2005 Glory Spring Media Art Exhiobition ( Art Director )
2004 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' A Month of Culture - Performance Art Event ( Program Art Directing )
2004 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' 2nd Media + Performance Art Exhibition ( Art Director )
2004 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' 1st Media + Performance art Exhibition ( Art Director )
2003 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' 접촉 ; 산자의 길, 죽은자의 길 ( Art Director )
2003 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' Street guerrilla Performance Art Event ' ( Art Director )
2003 Performance Art Dream Pamong ' Virus Of Peace ' ( Art Director )
1997  in Gwangju. KOREA ( Art Directing )
1995 in Gwangju. KOREA ( Art Directing )
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MATERIAL ART WORKS EXHIBITION
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2015. Bangkok in THAILAND / HOF Art SPACE / Painting
2015. Mandalay in MYANMAR / Dreamland Studio / Painting
2015. Dandung in INDONESIA / Asbstos Art Space / Painting
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GIM'S PERFORMANCE ART ACADEMY
2013 4th IN DAHKA . BANGLADESH
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2013 3rd IN SEOUL. S. KOREA
2012 2nd IN Gwangju Girl High School . Gwangju. KOREA
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2012 1st IN GWANGJU. S, KOREA
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
ART PROJECT
2014 ~ 2015 3 Continents 12 Countries Art Network Tour
EUROPE ( FINLAND Tampere - FRANCE Paris - DENMARK Copenhagen - NORWAY Oslo - ENGLAND Londen ) 20th Aug - 18th Sep 2014
ASIA ( PHILIPPINE Los Banos & Lipa - INDONESIA Bandung - MYANMAR Mandalay - THAILAND Bangkok ) 30th Jan - 2rd Mar 2015
NORTH AMERICA ( MEXICO Mexico City - USA New York ) April . 2015
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2015 NORTH AMERICA 2 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL '
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Mexico City in MEXICO / Extra International Performance Art Festival
New York / Grace Exhibition Space ' Perfromance Art Academy in New York '
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2015 ASIA 4 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL'
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Los Banos , LIPA in PHILIPPINE / Makling Inter- Cultural Art Festival . De La LIPA Art Event
Bandung in INDONESIA / Asbestos Art Space
Mandalay in MYANMAR / Dreamland Art Studio
Bangkok in THAILAND / HOF Art Space
2014 EURPOE 6 Countries ART NETWORK TOUR ' MY MEMORY IS FULL'
Tampere in FINLAND -PerformanceFiesta , Y - Festival
Tallinn & Parnu in ESTONIA
Paris in FRANCE -Ponpidou Center
Amsthedam in NETHERLAND
Oslo in NORWAY -National Theater
London in ENGLAND
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2013 ~ ' FREE EXPRESSION '
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2014 ' Bae Kyuja & Katarina Moana ' ( NORWAY ) in GWANGJU
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2014 RICCARDO MATLAKAS (ITALIA ) in GWANGJU
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
2013 SAMI MAARAS ( FINLAND ) IN HONGSUNG
2013 LI Ping Ting ( TAILLAND ) IN SEOUL
2013 MAHARBUBUR LAMAN ( BANGLADESHI ) IN SEOUL
https://www.facebook.com/gimgwangcheol/media_set…
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ASSIDENT ARTIST EXHIBITION
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2015 PARK JUN SUN / EUROPEAN RESTAURANT 'LA FESKO' in GWANGJU BIENNALE
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2015 RICCARDO MATLAKAS ( ITALIA ) / EUROPEAN RESTAURANT ' LA FESKO ' in GWANGJU BIENNALE
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Address : 303-1101 Ju -Gong APT Duam 3 Dong Buk-Gu . Gwangju . REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Email: artkissme@naver.com
M . phone (82 ) 10 - 9432 - 8867
FACEBOOK : GIM GWANG CHEOL⊰⊱⊰⊱⊰ ABOUT GRACE EXHIBITION SPACE ⊱⊰⊱⊰⊱

What does it mean to be American? American in the sense of what it is to be living, working, and creating in the Americas: a broad and fluid definition of this hemispheric region and the people who identify with it—people of first nations, South/Central/North America, Canada, the Caribbean. The Great American Performance Art Festival is a series of performance art events curated around this question and its implications, most specifically the notion of borders and barriers. Borders are an arbitrary social construct reminiscent of colonization, war, and exploitation. The population of the Americas has grappled with issues regarding borders and migration, and barriers such as those between languages, political ideologies, religious beliefs, identities, races, ethnicities, demographics, privileges, communities, individuals, governing and law enforcement bodies, and countless other tensions that arise as a part of living in, working in, and identifying with the Americas.

Grace Exhibition Space Brooklyn and this horizontally organized group of curators and artists invited erformance art pieces that respond to the problematics of borders and barriers within the Americas. We seeked proposals for embodied art that reinterpret and reimagine the diverse social, cultural, and economic landscape of the Americas. We encourage proposals for pieces that extend to include broad cross-sections of communities and demographics, and especially those which include participatory elements that address the natural performative barrier between artist and audience. The Great American Performance Art Festival welcomes any interpretation, however abstract, of its proposed theme.

The Great American Performance Art Festival will take place from March-August 2015. Events will be held every other weekend at Grace Exhibition Space for March-May, and every other weekend at the Grace Performance Art Farm in Rosendale, NY from June-August. We will curate roughly 4-5 artists per event.

Festival text by Laura Blüer

ABOUT GRACE EXHIBITION SPACE

Grace Exhibition Space opened in 2006 and is devoted exclusively to Performance Art. We offer an opportunity to experience visceral and challenging performance works by the current generation of international performance artists, whether emerging, mid career or established. Being a Brooklyn loft, our events are presented on the floor, not on a stage, dissolving the boundary between artist and viewer. Grace Exhibition Space is run by Jill & Erik with Vincent Tiley. Jamie is our bartender and Leah runs the door.

Please also support PANOPLY PERFORMANCE LAB [Brooklyn] GLASSHOUSE GALLERY [Brooklyn], MOBIUS [Boston] DFBRL8R GALLERY [Chicago] and EAMES ARMSTRONG [Washington, DC] - when you want to see more Performance Art!

"I have found Grace Space to be a breath of fresh air, and a new way to see and experience feelings you may have not faced in a long time. It’s a place to let yourself be exposed, amused, delighted, and terrified all at the same time, and I can say I haven’t experienced this combination of emotions at any gallery or theater I have ever stepped into, and that’s a wonderful thing. The space provides a refreshing perspective on an art scene that has been somewhat shackled and restrained for quite a bit of time now. Grace Exhibition Space is a brave pioneer as it puts Bushwick, as well as New York City, on the forefront of exploration and exposure into the minds and bodies of artists who are truly gifted, fearless, and unique." Terri Ciccone. Bushwick Daily January, 2013 "On each night, and in each performance, the human body is redeemed from the mundane and made anew."

David Lagaccia, Williamsburg Greenpoint News+Art (June, 2012)