Romantic Irony Group Show Opens Arario Gallery's Seven-Story Seoul Space

Arario Gallery has unveiled a new seven-story space in Seoul, renovated by Jo Nagasaka of Schemata Architects, adjacent to the Arario Museum. The inaugural exhibition, 'Romantic Irony,' features five Korean male artists—Gwon Osang, Noh Sangho, Lee Dongwook, Ahn Jisan, and Kim Inbai—each occupying a separate floor. The show's theme is drawn from German philosopher Friedrich von Schlegel's concept of romantic irony, defined as 'an attitude of detached scepticism adopted by the highest modern or post-classical art toward its own activity and/or material.' Gwon Osang presents fractured photographic sculptures with collaged surfaces, while Noh Sangho uses AI-generated imagery in paintings that blend photos and graphics, including references to Sesame Street's Elmo. Lee Dongwook creates self-abasing sculptures using pink Sculpey clay, depicting himself in abject scenarios. Ahn Jisan offers greyscale paintings with macabre humor, and Kim Inbai's beguiling sculptures include stacked plywood cutouts of Paju and a blackboard made of white chalk. The exhibition runs through 18 March.