Lee Bul's 'Crashing' exhibition at Hayward Gallery explores speculative futures and political critique

Lee Bul's exhibition titled 'Crashing' was held at the Hayward Gallery in London from June 1 to August 19, 2018. This showcase featured a selection of works spanning thirty years that delve into themes of identity, communication, and utopian ideals. Notable pieces included 'Civitas Solis II' (2014), which displayed lightbulbs inscribed with phrases in both English and Korean, and 'Cyborgs' (1998), which combined elements of Greek sculpture with manga styles. 'Alibi' (1994) featured severed silicone hands, while architectural models like 'Sternabau No. 2' (2007) embodied elements of Modernism and mysticism. The exhibition also included video documentation of Lee's early performances during South Korea's dictatorship alongside biomorphic sculptures. 'Thaw (Takaki Masao)' (2007) portrayed Park Chung-hee encased in ice, reflecting on his assassination and the subsequent presidency and imprisonment of his daughter, Park Geun-hye. Through speculative fiction, the exhibition provided a critique of reality.