Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Lina Selander,
Silphium, film still, 2014

LondonArt & Culture

A New History

Two artists trace a path from contemporary society to the past through their films...

The Institute of International Visual Arts (Iniva), London, is currently hosting two concurrent exhibitions that share an interest in manipulating the documentary form to explore themes of religion, history, aspirational society and the role of film in the modern world. The work of filmmakers Park Chan-kyong (South Korea) and Lina Selander (Sweden) is now showing at the London institution as part of an EU-funded research project into internationalism and the legacy of colonialism.

Park’s Pa-Gyong – Last Sutra Recitation, offers a new take on the folk religious practices of his country, such as shamanism and utopian religious communities, dating from the Japanese occupation through the Cold War to the present day. The name is taken from a sacred song sung by a shaman at the end of a ritual; the ceremony is organised by an individual to help dead friends and relatives reach heaven, but it also does the trick for any unrelated and nameless spirits in the vicinity who happen to be stuck in limbo. Park’s films are intended to do something similar, acting as a remembrance and blessing for the past. Open System – Silphium and Other Works is composed of three recent films by Selander along with a collection of materials from the artist’s archive. The Swedish artist links contemporary society with the historic and prehistoric through her work, asking the viewer to reconsider the image as both document, memory and object.

The two exhibitions run until 21 March.

@Iniva_arts

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Park Chan-kyong,
Photo documentation of development plan in Sindoan, 1980s

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Lina Selander,
Silphium, film still, 2014

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Park Chan-kyong,
Gyeryong Military Headquarters in Sindoan

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Park Chan-kyong,
Photo documentation of a religious group in Sindoan, 1960s

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Lina Selander,
Silphium, film still, 2014

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Park Chan-kyong,
Tigers, photomontage, 2007

Park Chan-kyong and Lina Selander at Iniva, London

Park Chan-kyong,
A shrine at Sindoan, 1970s