Heritage of the golden land: Mother’s Embrace: Gwangju Biennale 2024 Myanmar Pavilion

2024년 광주 비엔날레의 미얀마 파빌리온은 미얀마가 포용하는 자연 환경, 전통적 문화, 자유 의지를 향한 민족적 정체성을 표상한 예술 작품들을 통해 생명의 근원을 상징하는 ‘어머니’라는 단어가 품는 깊은 은유적 의미를 비추어 보고 미얀마 현대미술 작품들을 통해 오랜 시간을 거슬러 올라가 국가의 근간과 모태의 뿌리에서 동시대로 이어지는 역사적, 사회적 양상을 탐험하고, 동시대 미술의 맥락에서 미얀마 미술의 독자적 가치와 의미를 새롭게 짚어보고자 한다.

너른 평지와 역동적 산맥, 서남땅 전체에 맞닿은 해변과 일 년 내내 온화한 기후까지, 미얀마의 자연은 그야말로 너그럽고 풍요로운 어머니의 품과 같다. 이러한 모태와 같은 땅에 고대 첫 선주민인 쀼 족과 몬 족이 자리를 잡았던 그 시작부터 미얀마의 불교 문화는 그 어느 곳에서 보다 깊고 진지하게 뿌리내려 왔다. 특히 미얀마의 불교는 2500 년 전 부처의 가르침을 변함없이 스스로 엄격하게 수행하는 테야와다 불교신자들의 독실한 믿음에 깊숙이 새겨져 왔고 현재까지도 참선과 기도, 명상을 통해 미얀마의 국민들의 일상에 스며 있어서 그들의 삶 속에서평화와 희망의 원천이 된다. 동남아시아의 인도차이나반도 내 가장 면적이 큰 미얀마의 아름다운 땅에서 미얀마 사람들이 오랜 시간 숭고한믿음으로 자연스럽게 만든 문화적 발자취는 그들이 공들여 쌓은 금빛 파고다처럼 모든 미술, 공예, 건축 등 민족의 예술적 삶 자체에 녹아 있다. 풍경회화 작가 Zaw Win Pe 의 작품속에는 미얀마의 14개 주의 지역적 특색과 자연의 아름다움이 작가 개인의 감정으로 이어지는 유기적 과정을 추상과 구상의 균형을 유지하는 이미지와 풍부한 색채, 그리고 두꺼운 질감을 통한 진지한 회화성으로 생생하게 표현된다. Htoo Aung Kyaw 의 작품 속에서는 온화하지만은 않은, 강경하고 실존적인 부처의 모습과, 에너지 또는 아우라를 연상시키는 듯한 추상적인 색채표현이 돋보인다. 작품을 통해서 작가는 부처의 가르침과 철학을 존중하면서도 종교적인 신념 뿐만 아니라 삶의 방식으로서 불교가 품고 있는 다양한 원칙들, 즉 인간이 살아감에 있어서 삶에 대한 뚜렷한 목적과 열정, 그리고 신념에 집중 하며 존재할 수 있도록 하는 불교의 철학과 개념을 시각적 언어로 공유한다. 조각, 설치예술, 회화 등 광범위한 작업 세계를 펼치는 Chan Aye 는 미얀마 사원의 벽화나 동굴 벽화 도상을 참조하여 독특한 작품 언어를 구축한다. 관람객에게 직접적인 답을 제시하기 보다는 질문을 제기하도록 유도하는 그의 작품은 종교적 사유, 개념, 시간, 인간의 희로애락과 같은 비물질적 주제를 탐구하며 나무, 대리석, 유리, 사암 등의 재료를 통해 구체화함으로써 독창적이고 심미적 의미가 담긴 작품을 만들어낸다.

 

전체 국가의 70%를 이루는 버마족을 비롯한 135개 소수민족으로 이루어진 국가 미얀마는 각 민족의 고유 문화, 생경하고 다양한 지역적 특색을 통해 보물상자 같은 매력과 가능성을 지니고 있는데, 한편으론, 이러한 민족적 특성으로 인해 오늘날에도 크고 작은 분쟁으로 아픔을 겪고있다. 하지만 이러한 지리적 조건과 역사 속에서 인간이 태어나 대립, 성찰, 그리고 융화를 거쳐 성장하듯 민족적, 국가적 차원에서 오롯한그들만의 평화의 존립을 향한 역사를 만들어가는 과정에 있다고 볼 수 있다. 회화, 조각, 설치 및 퍼포먼스를 아우르는 다양한 매체를 통해 실험적이고 감각적인 예술을 펼치는 Htein Lin 은 일상적이고 흔히 보이는 사물들을 활용하여 창작활동을 계속해 왔다. 자유로운 사고와 창의성, 사회를 향한 헌신, 개인의 의지, 관점과 비판, 상호성 등에 대한 깊은 이야기를 해학적이고 재치있게 다루는 그의 작품에서 미얀마 사회의양상과 특성을 은유적으로 느낄 수 있다. 또한 본 전시에 포함된 미얀마 사진 협회에서 제공한 사진자료를 통해서 다양한 문화 가치를 지닌역동적인 민족 공동체의 ‘춤’을 통해서 예술로서 실현 가능한 문화의 보존 및 계승, 그리고 서로 다른 공동체의 결속과 하나됨의 가치를 이해할 수 있다. 미얀마 현대 미술운동의 2세대를 이끈 핵심 작가인 Khin Maung Yins는 마치 숨 쉬듯이자연스러운 붓질과 기분 및 상태에 따라 감각적으로 표현하는 추상회화를 통해 예술을 통한 자유로운 표현을 나타내며 미얀마의 현대미술의새로운 지표를 펼쳐 보였다. 어려운 현실 속에서도 미얀마의 현대미술은 그들만의 독특한 자연적, 종교적, 문화적 특성을 반영하고 사회적 통찰을 날카롭게 담아내기도 하며 동시대 미술사의 흐름을 따라 포스트 모더니즘의 굵직한 흐름인 개념미술, 미니멀리즘 등을 폭넓게 아우르고 동시에 독자적으로 참조하여 미얀마만의 개성을 함축하는 미술 세계를 형성하고 있다.

 

모든 것의 시작에는 숭고한 어머니의 품과 같은 땅과 자연이 있었다. 그곳에서 자리 잡았던 민족의 씨앗은 문화와 역사를 만들었고, 미술은그 깊은 시간의 무게를 담아내며 세대를 거듭하는 세월을 따라 미얀마 사람들 곁에 함께 해 왔다. 포용의 어머니는 삶의 갈등과 비극에 직면할 때 오히려 더 큰 희망으로 위기를 극복하고 묵묵히 가정을 지켜온 수호자와 같은 존재를 상기시킨다. Aung Myint의 “Mother and Child” 연작시리즈에서 보여지는 아이를 끌어 안은 포용적인 어머니의 모습을 통해 상실과 그리움, 그리고 사랑과 평화를 느낄 수 있다. 생명의 근원인 어머니 로서의 미얀마, 그 품 안에서 풍요롭고 화목한 환경을 구축하기 위한 염원과 희망은 민족의 연대를 강화 시킬 것이다. 

 

The Myanmar Pavilion at the 2024 Gwangju Biennale encapsulates the essence of Myanmar’s ethnic identity through artistic works that celebrate the nation’s profound connection with its natural environment, traditional culture, and evolving national ethos towards freedom. Central to this representation is the profound metaphor of ‘mother’ – symbolic of life’s origin and nurturing spirit. The pavilion is designed to explore the distinctive values and meanings of Myanmar art within the context of contemporary art. From the vast plains and dynamic mountains to the coastal lines embracing the entire southwest territory, Myanmar's nature mirrors the embrace of a generous and bountiful mother. Rooted deeply within this land, Myanmar’s Buddhist heritage, spanning over 2500 years in the Theravada tradition, imbues daily life with meditation, prayer, and contemplation – a source of enduring peace and hope. The cultural tapestry finds expression in diverse art forms, including craftsmanship and architecture, much like the golden pagodas meticulously erected by their hands. In the landscape paintings of Zaw Win Pe, the distinctive features of Myanmar's 14 regions and the beauty of nature are vividly expressed through a balanced interplay of abstraction and figuration, rich colors, and thick textures. These elements are intertwined with the artist's personal emotions, allowing for a pure artistic expression. In the works of Htoo Aung Kyaw, Buddha’s serene presence is portrayed alongside abstract color representations, capturing the essence of Buddhist philosophy and principles as a guiding force in life. Through their artworks, the artists show respect for the teachings and philosophy of Buddha while using their own visual language to present the inherent principles of Buddhism as a way of life. Contemporary Myanmar art serves as a mirror to these realities, offering nuanced societal commentary while embracing global artistic movements like conceptualism and minimalism. Chan Aye, who works extensively in sculpture, installation art, and painting, constructs a unique artistic language by referencing murals from Myanmar temples and cave iconography. Rather than providing direct answers, his works encourage viewers to pose questions. He explores intangible themes such as religious contemplation, concepts, time, and human emotions. By materializing these themes through materials like wood, marble, glass, and sandstone, he creates original and aesthetically meaningful artworks. 

 

Comprising 135 ethnic minorities, Myanmar stands as a nation rich in diverse cultural heritages and regional distinctions, akin to a treasure trove of charm and potential. However, these characteristics have also contributed to persistent ethnic conflicts. Amid these complex realities, Myanmar's contemporary art uniquely reflects the country’s natural and cultural attributes, often providing sharp societal insights and embracing broader postmodern movements such as conceptual art and minimalism and draws upon Myanmar's distinctiveness while also embracing global trends. Artists Htein Lin, who explores experimental and sensory art across various mediums including painting, sculpture, installation, and performance, has continued his creative activities using everyday objects. He deftly addresses profound themes of freedom of thought, creativity, dedication towards society, individual will, perspectives and critiques, and reciprocity. Through his work, Htein Lin skillfully and wittily tackles profound narratives that offer metaphorical glimpses into Myanmar’s societal fabric. Through the photographic materials provided by the Myanmar Photo Archive Association included in this exhibition, viewers can understand the preservation and transmission of culture as an art form through the dynamic ethnic communities’ “Dance”, which embodies various cultural values. They can also grasp the value of unity and cohesion among different communities. Khin Maung Yin, a key artist who led the second generation of the modern art movement in Myanmar, showcased a new direction in Myanmar's contemporary art through his abstract paintings. His work is characterized by natural brushstrokes and expressive use of colors that reflect his mood and state of mind, embodying a sense of freedom through art, as if painting were as natural to him as breathing. Despite confronting harsh realities, contemporary art in Myanmar reflects its unique natural, religious, and cultural characteristics, sharply encapsulating societal insights while weaving in broader currents of contemporary art history like conceptual art and minimalism and thus presents Myanmar’s distinct personality within the global art scene.

 

At the beginning of everything lies the sublime earth and nature, akin to the embrace of a noble mother. It is within this nurturing environment that the seeds of the nation have taken root, shaping its rich heritage over generations. Art, carrying the weight of deep time, has been a steadfast companion to the people of Myanmar, reflecting their resilience in the face of life's challenges and tragedies. The nurturing presence of the mother figure symbolizes inclusivity and acts as a silent guardian, offering hope amidst adversity and safeguarding the home. Through Aung Myint's "Mother and Child" series, emotions of loss, longing, love, and peace are evoked by the embracing figure of the nurturing mother cradling her child. As the origin of life in Myanmar, the maternal embrace symbolizes Myanmar’s desire to overcome conflicts and cultivate a harmonious environment, strengthening solidarity among its people.