The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art will be hosting the exhibition "The Nature Rules: Natural Nation: Dreaming of Earth Project," conceived and organized by Choi Jae-Eun, from April 13th to July 28th.

Minsuk Cho, DMZ Vault of Life and Knowledge, 2016Reference image Courtesy of the artist.
This exhibition visualizes the concept of the "Dreaming of Earth Project," which Cho launched in 2014 with the hope of protecting the rich ecosystem that emerged in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) more than 65 years after the armistice of the Korean War, and promoting the coexistence of all living things. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stretches two kilometers north and two kilometers south of the 38th parallel, marking the ceasefire line. Following the ceasefire in 1953, military activity was not permitted, but an estimated three million landmines were laid, resulting in persistent tensions between North and South Korea. For the 65 years since then, no human presence has been permitted in the DMZ, but it has now become a fertile land supporting 5,057 species, including 106 endangered species. Ironically, how can we pass on this rich ecosystem, born out of human conflict, to future generations? Choi launched the "Dreaming of Earth Project" in 2014 to explore ways for the creatures living in the DMZ and humans to coexist as living creatures of the same earth. Today, many of the artists, architects, and thinkers whose works are also featured in this exhibition have gathered around Choi to propose concrete solutions, such as sky gardens where migratory birds can rest, walking paths that protect people from landmines and nature from humans, and seed banks to preserve endangered plant species.

Studio Other Spaces: Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann, Condensation pavilionReference image Courtesy of the artist.
The title "Natural Nation" refers to Choi's ideal country, a country ruled by nature rather than humans. Creating tangible works of art in the DMZ ecosystem means human intervention, even if only to a small extent, in the workings of nature. However, doing nothing raises the risk of the lush ecosystem collapsing, depending on social conditions. Choi's conclusion, which aims to transform this area of conflict into a haven for all living things while engaging with nature, is to "create" the "laws" (i.e., poems) of a "natural state." In addition to the artists featured in this exhibition, Choi's trusted collaborators, including Ahn So-yeon, Choi Jae-cheon, Cho Min-sook, Kim Hong-seok, Hirano Keiichiro, Lee Eun-ju, Lee Ufan, Daniela Morera, and Nakamura Keiko, will reflect on nature and create "laws" (i.e., poems) for coexistence. While these laws are laws, they will become a part of nature, like birdsong or the rustling of grass.