ART CITIES:Rome-The Future is Now

 THE FUTURE IS NOW! Presents MMCA’s (National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, Korea) New Media Art collection with the aim of reflecting on the “futures” by analyzing New Media Art ever since it was founded in 1987 to the present day. Over forty video works and media installations tell the story of the Korean New Media Art scene, from the early works by Nam June Paik, to the experiments carried out in the 1980s, by way of the digital revolution and the cultural changes triggered by the Internet and the social networks. The title of the exhibition is derived from Paik Nam June’s definition of future. Paik Nam June is an artist whose life seems to proceed along with his work.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Maxxi Museum Archive

The year 2014 is the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Korea after the two countries entered into a treaty in June 26, 1884. So far, Korea and Italy have been a close relationship and constantly worked on to strengthen the friendship between the two countries. This year, both of the countries’ governments are sponsoring many events in Italy and Korea to celebrate the 130th anniversary, and the exhibition at MAXXI is the highlight of these events to celebrate the friendship this year. ‘’THE FUTURE IS NOW!’’ is the group exhibition which presents MMCA’s, New Media Art collection with the aim of reflecting on the “futures” by analyzing New Media Art ever since it was founded in 1987 to the present day. The exhibition does not just include works from the museum collections, but also a vast range of audiovisual materials. It may seem paradoxical, but if you dream of the future, you need to focus completely on the present, because the future all depends on today’s choices, decisions and actions. This is the meaning of the title of the exhibition taken from the famous words the artist Nam June Paik used to describe his idea of the future. We know that the first works of New Media Art produced at a time when there was little understanding of this new form of expression are the foundation for the works produced today, a fact that shows once more to what extent today’s actions lay the foundations for our future.

Info: THE FUTURE IS NOW, Maxxi Museum, Via Guido Reni, 4 A, Rome, Duration:19/12/14- 15/3/15, Days & Hours: Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Sun 11:00-19:00, Sat: 11:00-22:00, www.fondazionemaxxi.it