RM of BTS Brings Personal Korean Art Collection to SFMoMA in Blockbuster Exhibition

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has launched RM x SFMoMA: Between You and Me, attracting 50,000 advance ticket bookings and achieving a sold-out opening weekend. This exhibition showcases 178 pieces, primarily from RM's personal collection, alongside 36 works from SFMoMA, curated by RM and América Castillo. RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, developed an interest in collecting after visiting the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018. The show is divided into eight sections, including 'Flowers bloom bloom at every boundary' and 'Friendscape,' reflecting RM's artistic connections. Spanning nearly 1,500 years, the exhibition features Korean art from a sixth-century figurine to contemporary works, alongside pieces by artists like Giorgio Morandi and Roni Horn. Notably, RM acquired Horn's Untitled for $1.2 million in 2021. The 'Photo Buddha (A)' section juxtaposes Nam June Paik's ink sketch of TV Buddha (1978) with Enlightenment Compressed (1994). SFMoMA's collection includes works by Paik and Kim Whanki, with curator Hyoeun Kim highlighting connections between artists such as Chung Sanghwa and Agnes Martin. RM contributed to the wall texts, which feature handwritten Korean and English translations. The exhibition will be on display until February 7, 2027.