JENNIFER BAAHNG

Poise and Punchline offers a polyphonic exploration of contemporary Korean aesthetics through seven distinct artistic voices, each a master of their own narrative. The exhibition responds to the 61st La Biennale di Venezia’s overarching theme, In Minor Keys, by examining the interplay between Gyeok-jo (dignified restraint) and Hae-hak (subversive wit). It explores the “K-Core”—a deep-rooted philosophical foundation of Korean art, the resilient, lower-frequency philosophies that underpin Korean creative persistence. The featured artists, working across sculpture, installation, and painting, demonstrate that humor and refinement are not opposites but unified tools for social critique and emotional resonance. These South Korean artists maintain a sovereign poise while delivering punchlines that pose a vital challenge and contribute to the discourse of global contemporary art.