Zadie Xa's Multimedia Installation Reanimates Korean Goddess Myth at Glasgow's Tramway
The multimedia installation 'Child of Magohalmi and the Echoes of Creation' by Zadie Xa was showcased at Tramway in Glasgow from 26 October to 15 December 2019. This work focused on Mago(halmi), a colossal goddess from Korean mythology credited with the creation of the world. Xa revitalized this overlooked matrilineal story through various mediums, including film, sound, painting, sculpture, costume, and performance. One gallery area was dimly lit and carpeted, featuring oversized pseudo-aquatic sculptures like large resin conch shells and a massive denim orca named 'Granny' that functioned as seating. The film intertwined choreographed sequences and animation, depicting Mago's creation of the world from sand, water, and bodily excretions. The installation emphasized interconnected narratives, linking bodily excretions with land formation and addressing contemporary ecological issues. The exhibition was featured in the January & February 2020 edition of ArtReview.
Key facts
- Zadie Xa's exhibition 'Child of Magohalmi and the Echoes of Creation' was on view at Tramway in Glasgow
- The exhibition ran from 26 October through 15 December 2019
- The multimedia installation included film, sound, painting, sculpture, costume, and performance elements
- Xa reanimated the myth of Mago(halmi), a giant goddess from Korean folklore who created the world
- The installation featured an enormous denim orca sculpture named 'Granny' that served as seating
- The film combined choreographed scenes and animation showing Mago creating the world from sand, water, and bodily excretions
- Performers wore denim orca-embellished costumes and danced to Janggu drum rhythms on opening night
- The exhibition was reviewed in the January & February 2020 issue of ArtReview
Entities
Artists
- Zadie Xa
Institutions
- Tramway
- ArtReview
Locations
- Glasgow
- United Kingdom