ART CITIES: Seoul-Tarek Atoui

A sound performer, musician, and composer, Tarek Atoui challenges conventional modes of sound perception by creating custom electronic instruments, rooted in his exploration of global traditional instruments and music history. He has recently been dedicated to creating instruments that embody the concepts of change and cyclical patterns within the ancient elements of water, fire, earth, and air.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Art Sonje Center Archive

Tarek Atoui practice investigates the medium of sound. His work considers how sound can be experienced across multiple senses, the ways it acts as a catalyst for social interaction, and its relationship to place, history and ecology. Known for his collaborative performances and installations using handcrafted musical instruments, Atoui creates compositions that direct sound through organic materials which are often activated by the audience and other artists. He develops his projects over several years and in collaboration with an international network of musicians, instrument makers, technicians and people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The exhibition “Tarek Atoui: The Rain” offers a unique fusion of Korean traditional percussion instruments and electronic soundscapes, introducing visitors to an entirely novel way of experiencing sound. Atoui’s journey began in 2019 when he embarked on a research expedition to South Korea. During this exploration, he developed a profound fascination with Korean traditional culture, extending his interest beyond traditional instruments to include ceramics, porcelain, hanji (traditional Korean paper), weaving, and more. Through collaborations with artisans, craftsmen, and scholars of traditional culture, he has created instruments and forms that reflect his distinctive artistic style. In this exhibition, Atoui’s instruments defy convention. They produce sound through non-traditional means, foregoing the conventional striking method found in traditional percussion instruments such as muk (drum), daebug (large barrel drum), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), ggwaenggwari (small handheld gong), and jing (gong). Each instrument incorporates embedded speakers, utilizes the vibrations of everyday objects placed on top of drums, and employs mechanical movements to orchestrate an ensemble of unique sounds. The exhibition transforms the museum space into a captivating new soundscape, inviting visitors to explore sound through a variety of sensory experiences.

Photo: Tarek Atoui, Waters’ Witness, exhibition view, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, Australia (2023). Photo: Zan Wimberley.

Info: Curators: Sunjung Kim, Jina Kim, Art Sonje Center, 87 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Duration: 3/11/2023-21/1/2024, Days & Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00-19:00,  https://artsonje.org/