Artist Hong Jin-hwon Reveals the Relationship Between Images and Struggle in 'Korea Artist Prize 2026' Interview

MMCA has released an interview video of artist Hong Jin-hwon as part of the 'Korea Artist Prize 2026'. In the video, Hong Jin-hwon shared his thoughts on the problems of control and prediction that arise as the world gradually transforms into images, and the role of images in that process.

Contemplation on the Excess of Images and a Controlled World

Artist Hong Jin-hwon mentioned that the world is increasingly becoming virtualized and transforming into images. According to the interview in the video, the artist noted that in the process of becoming images, control and prediction are becoming far too easy. He stated that he felt the need to examine how we have been controlled during the process of rushing forward believing in the myth of technological progress, and which events led us to our current position.

In particular, the artist expressed the awareness that as the world changes into images, humans are also becoming images, and in a world where images meet images, the act of perceiving images itself may become impossible. Based on these thoughts, he explained that he organized the exhibition by conducting more specific experiments on how photography functions.

The Change in Rallies and the End of Image-Based Resistance

Hong Jin-hwon also mentioned 'Rallies', which he dealt with importantly in his past work. The artist defined a rally as a tool and form of struggle, as well as a kind of ritual event. He saw that within the time and space of a rally, there exists a space where random energy outside the institutional order is permitted. However, the artist said he experienced rallies gradually turning into increasingly controllable spaces from a certain point in time.

The artist explained that as rallies grew larger, institutionalization progressed—such as massive stages being installed and rules and routes being established—leading to the phenomenon where rallies turn into 'Performances'. Seeing the subjects of struggle, who once possessed random energy, turning into passive audiences of a performance, the artist stated he felt anxiety about whether rallies could maintain actual power. Accordingly, the artist re-examined the rallies he once trusted and conducted work on how to accept the final moments of image-based resistance.

Recovering the Energy of Images and the Importance of Perception

Regarding the title of the exhibition, the artist revealed that he was inspired by a sentence co-produced by the Japanese Red Army and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the 1970s. According to the video description and interview, the artist believes that in a world where propaganda no longer functions, images can take over that role, and he described the potential energy held by images using the expression 'armed struggle'. He suggests that images operate within social relationships and trust systems and possess the potential to create events and power.

Furthermore, the artist presented two ways the world is controlled: 'a method of not including beings in a state of darkness (adaptation to darkness)' and 'a method of over-representing images through repetitive exposure (excess of light)'. These mechanisms of adapting to light and darkness are also ways to confirm how the world has controlled us through images. Hong emphasized that since photography cannot do everything alone, it must be connected to various media such as text, maps, and objects, and through this, it is important for viewers to recognize their own gaze and learn how to relate to images when they encounter them.

Meanwhile, the 'Korea Artist Prize 2026' exhibition held at MMCA Seoul will take place from July 24, 2026, to December 6, 2026.