Korean Media Artist Kim A-young Wins 2025 LG Guggenheim Award for Innovative Tech-Art Integration

Korean media artist wins 2025 LG Guggenheim Award

"Delivery Dancer's Arc: Inverse" by Kim A-young / Courtesy of Kim A-young By Nam Hyun-woo Media artist Kim A-young has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award, LG and the Guggenheim Museum in New York announced Tuesday. Kim is the third artist to be recognized through the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year collaboration aimed at researching, honoring and promoting artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Selected by an international jury of contemporary art leaders, she will receive an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000 in recognition of her contributions. She will be celebrated on May 8 at the 2025 Young Collectors Council Party, sponsored by LG Display. Kim A-young "As technology advances, human life becomes more intricate. Artists can explore the possibilities technology may conceal and deploy it intuitively. Neither a techno-determinist nor a techno-pessimist, I have always wanted to comment on the impact of technology by using it. I thank LG and the Guggenheim Museum for their commitment to supporting artists who foster technological discourse," Kim said. "At its core, Kim A-young's work invites viewers to engage with deep questions about time and the human experience in an accelerating digital age. By revealing the convergence of machines and humanity, her work illuminates the pressing challenges of our era. I am honored and proud that Kim is recognized as a leading voice through this award," said Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and Jennifer and David Stockman chief curator at the Guggenheim Museum. Park Seol, LG Corp.'s head of brand, said, "Kim A-young's work, in which technology is both subject matter and medium, resonates with LG's engagement with technology. LG congratulates Kim A-young on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to witnessing her continued use of cutting-edge technologies to expand the scope of contemporary art." Trained in motion graphics and lens-based media, Kim creates virtual environments using emerging technologies. Her work builds on cinematic tropes, combining live action, motion capture, animation software, game engines and image-generation technologies. She explores virtual reality and live simulation alongside traditional mediums like performance, sculpture and printmaking. Kim transforms firsthand research into immersive speculative worlds. Her work ranges from historical research on ancient cosmologies to studies of algorithmically managed service workers and refugees. She advocates for artificial intelligence literacy and a deeper understanding of the boundary between humans and machines, reflecting her interest in quantum realities and multiple worlds. Her practice pushes the boundaries of art and technology, offering a vision of the future shaped by both. Kim received the ACC Future Prize in 2024, the Golden Nica Award in 2023 and the British Institution Award in 2010. Her work is in the collections of Frac Lorraine in Metz, France; the Kadist Foundation; the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul; Tate in London and more. She has an upcoming solo show at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, opening Friday. The jury included Mohamed Almusibli, Doryun Chong, Sabine Himmelsbach, Alfredo Jaar and Noam Segal. The LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative is a five-year collaboration aimed at researching and promoting artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Stephanie Dinkins and Shu Lea Cheang received the award in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with two more artists to be recognized through 2027.

Korean media artist wins 2025 LG Guggenheim Award

"Delivery Dancer's Arc: Inverse" by Kim A-young / Courtesy of LG Corp By Nam Hyun-woo Media artist Kim A-young has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award, LG and the Guggenheim Museum in New York announced Tuesday. Kim is the third artist to be recognized through the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year collaboration aimed at researching, honoring and promoting artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Selected by an international jury of contemporary art leaders, she will receive an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000 in recognition of her contributions. She will be celebrated on May 8 at the 2025 Young Collectors Council Party, sponsored by LG Display. Kim A-young "As technology advances, human life becomes more intricate. Artists can explore the possibilities technology may conceal and deploy it intuitively. Neither a techno-determinist nor a techno-pessimist, I have always wanted to comment on the impact of technology by using it. I thank LG and the Guggenheim Museum for their commitment to supporting artists who foster technological discourse," Kim said. "At its core, Kim A-young's work invites viewers to engage with deep questions about time and the human experience in an accelerating digital age. By revealing the convergence of machines and humanity, her work illuminates the pressing challenges of our era. I am honored and proud that Kim is recognized as a leading voice through this award," said Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and Jennifer and David Stockman chief curator at the Guggenheim Museum. Park Seol, LG Corp.'s head of brand, said, "Kim A-young's work, in which technology is both subject matter and medium, resonates with LG's engagement with technology. LG congratulates Kim A-young on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to witnessing her continued use of cutting-edge technologies to expand the scope of contemporary art." Trained in motion graphics and lens-based media, Kim creates virtual environments using emerging technologies. Her work builds on cinematic tropes, combining live action, motion capture, animation software, game engines and image-generation technologies. She explores virtual reality and live simulation alongside traditional mediums like performance, sculpture and printmaking. Kim transforms firsthand research into immersive speculative worlds. Her work ranges from historical research on ancient cosmologies to studies of algorithmically managed service workers and refugees. She advocates for artificial intelligence literacy and a deeper understanding of the boundary between humans and machines, reflecting her interest in quantum realities and multiple worlds. Her practice pushes the boundaries of art and technology, offering a vision of the future shaped by both. Kim received the ACC Future Prize in 2024, the Golden Nica Award in 2023 and the British Institution Award in 2010. Her work is in the collections of Frac Lorraine in Metz, France; the Kadist Foundation; the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul; Tate in London and more. She has an upcoming solo show at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, opening Friday. The jury included Mohamed Almusibli, Doryun Chong, Sabine Himmelsbach, Alfredo Jaar and Noam Segal. The LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative is a five-year collaboration aimed at researching and promoting artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Stephanie Dinkins and Shu Lea Cheang received the award in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with two more artists to be recognized through 2027.

Korean artist Kim A-young wins LG Guggenheim Award

Winner of this year's LG Guggenheim Award Kim A-young / Courtesy of LG Group Korean artist Kim A-young has been named the winner of this year's LG Guggenheim Award for her innovative work at the intersection of art and technology, LG Group said Tuesday. Launched in 2023 through a partnership between LG Group and the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the LG Guggenheim Award supports contemporary artists who push the boundaries of digital art. The award winner receives a prize of $100,000. Kim is known for innovative use of live action, motion capture and animation software, game engines and image-generation technologies. She has explored the integration of art with artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), expanding the possibilities of digital storytelling. The Korean company and the globally renowned museum in New York kicked off the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative in 2023 as a cross-sector collaboration to support artists working at the intersection of art and technology for the ensuing five years. The inaugural LG Guggenheim Award went to Stephanie Dinkins, a Brooklyn-based artist, educator and AI practitioner, followed by Taiwanese American artist and filmmaker Shu Lea Cheang. (Yonhap)

Ayoung Kim Selected as the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award Recipient

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity NewsletterKim's innovative practice employs emerging technologies to investigate contemporary issues, working with virtual reality, game engines, and live simulation, as well as traditional mediums like performance, sculpture, and printmaking.The award is part of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year, multifaceted collaboration designed to research, honor, and promote artists working at the intersection of art and technology. SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LG and the Guggenheim New York proudly announce Ayoung Kim as the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award recipient. Kim is the third artist to be recognized as part of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, a five-year, multifaceted collaboration designed to research, honor, and promote artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Selected by an international jury of leaders in contemporary art, Kim will receive an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000 in celebration of her groundbreaking contributions to this field. "At its core, Ayoung Kim's pathbreaking work invites viewers not only to marvel at her technical mastery but also to engage with deep questions about time and the human experience in an accelerating digital age. By revealing the convergence of machines and humanity, her visionary work illuminates the most pressing challenges of our era. I am both honored and proud that Kim is recognized as a leading voice through this award," states Naomi Beckwith, Deputy Director and Jennifer and David Stockman Chief Curator at the Guggenheim New York. "Ayoung Kim's work, in which technology is both a subject matter and a medium, resonates with LG's engagement with technology as we advance innovations with considerations to human experiences and emotions. LG congratulates Ayoung Kim on this timely and well-deserved recognition and looks forward to witnessing her continued use of cutting-edge technologies to expand the scope of contemporary art," states Seol Park, Head of Brand at LG Corp. Trained in motion graphics and lens-based media, Kim creates fantastical, meticulously crafted virtual environments using emerging technologies. Her work builds on classical cinematic tropes, combining live action, motion capture and animation software, game engines, and image-generation technologies. She explores virtual reality and live simulation alongside more traditional mediums like performance, sculpture, and printmaking. Inspired by Webtoon aesthetics and the concept of GL (Girls' Love), Kim transforms firsthand research and documentary fieldwork into immersive speculative worlds. Her work ranges from in-depth historical research on ancient cosmologies to intimate studies of the daily lives of algorithmically managed service workers and refugees, weaving vast, epic narratives that cross time, space, cultures, and languages. A master of storytelling and worldbuilding, Kim advocates for AI (artificial intelligence) literacy and a deeper understanding of the boundary between humans and machines, reflecting her profound interest in particle science, quantum realities, and the interconnected possibilities of multiple worlds. Her forward-thinking, inventive practice pushes the boundaries of art and technology, offering a vision of the future shaped by both. "As technology advances, human life inevitably becomes more intricate. What artists can do with technology is explore the uncertain possibilities it may conceal and deploy it in the most intuitive way. Neither a techno-determinist nor a techno-pessimist, I have always wanted to comment on the impact of technology in our society by using it. I express my heartfelt thanks to LG and the Guggenheim Museum for their visionary commitment to supporting artists who foster technological discourse," states 2025 LG Guggenheim Award recipient Ayoung Kim. An upcoming public program with the artist will be announced soon. Please visit guggenheim.org/calendar/ for more information. Ayoung Kim (b. 1979, Seoul) has presented her work at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2025); ACMI, Melbourne (2024); M+, Hong Kong (2024); the Museum of Modern Art, New York (2024); HEK (House of Electronic Arts), Basel (2023); the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul (2023); Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2016); and the Berlin International Film Festival (2020). She has participated in major international shows, including the Sharjah Biennial (2023), Gwangju Biennial (2018), and Venice Biennale (2015). Kim has received the ACC Future Prize, National Asian Culture Center, Gwangju, Korea (2024); the Golden Nica Award, Prix Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria (2023); and the British Institution Award, Royal Academy of Arts, London (2010). Her work is in the collections of Frac Lorraine, Metz, France; Kadist Foundation; Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul; National Museum of Art, Osaka; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul; and Tate, London; among many others. She has an upcoming solo show at Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin, opening February 28, 2025. This year's jury was comprised of Mohamed Almusibli, Director and Chief Curator, Kunsthalle Basel; Doryun Chong, Artistic Director and Chief Curator, M+, Hong Kong; Sabine Himmelsbach, Director, HEK (House of Electronic Arts), Basel; Alfredo Jaar, artist, architect, and filmmaker; and Noam Segal, LG Electronics Associate Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. Jury Statement "The work of Ayoung Kim represents a paradigm shift in how art can engage with emerging technologies, fusing traditional cinematic and graphic tropes with new image-making techniques. Her work offers transformative perspectives on how humanity interacts with and understands these new tools. The artist's seamless blend of traditional and cutting-edge methods -- melding performance, virtual environments, gaming engines, and printmaking -- demonstrates her ability to bridge seemingly disparate worlds into cohesive, thought-provoking pieces. By integrating elements from cultural narratives, historical research, and advanced technological frameworks, Kim redefines the role of an artist as a connector between social legacies, fostering new dialogues in art and technology. Kim's exploration of the human condition in her works transcends conventional representations, portraying humanity as an evolving intersection of physicality and data under algorithmic governance. Her approach raises essential questions about the ethical and emotional implications of living in a technology-driven world, offering audiences opportunities for both reflection and discovery. Kim's artistic language demonstrates a remarkable balance between meticulous craftsmanship and experimental boldness, ensuring her work resonates across diverse audiences and contexts. The jury recognizes Kim to be a pioneering, trailblazing artist of her time." About the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative The LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative is a five-year, multifaceted collaboration between LG and the Guggenheim designed to research, honor, and promote artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Unique in its areas of concentration and approach, the initiative is an unprecedented investment in technology as an artistic medium. It enables the Guggenheim to broaden its investigations into this innovative field, providing essential support to the visionary artists who inspire new understandings of how technology shapes, and is shaped by, society. As part of the initiative, Noam Segal joined the Guggenheim New York in 2023 as LG Electronics Associate Curator. Focusing on research, Segal holds an active role in developing the museum's engagement with technology-based art, producing scholarship and public-facing content that will strengthen the goals of the multifaceted initiative across the museum's departments. The 2025 LG Guggenheim Award recipient will be celebrated on May 8 at the 2025 Young Collectors Council (YCC) Party, sponsored by LG Display. Ayoung Kim will be in attendance. For this year's party, artist and technologist LaJuné McMillian will transform the Guggenheim rotunda. For more information, visit guggenheim.org/initiatives/lg-guggenheim-art-and-technology-initiative/lg-and-the-ycc-party. Stephanie Dinkins and Shu Lea Cheang received the LG Guggenheim Award in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and two more artists will be recognized with the award through 2027. About LG Founded in 1947, LG is a technology innovator and global leader in consumer electronics, automotive components, ESS, and organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs). LG Corporation (LG Corp.) is the holding company for industry-leading LG subsidiaries, such as LG Electronics, LG Display, LG Energy Solution, and LG Chem, to name a few. The LG group of companies employs over 270,000 people in more than 60 countries that together generate USD 140 billion in annual revenue. For more information about the LG group of companies, visit lgcorp.com About the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Guggenheim Bilbao, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A "temple of spirit" where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim's activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org. #LGxGuggenheim @Guggenheim @LG February 24, 2025 For more information and requests: Guggenheim Press Office Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation 212 423 3840 [email protected] LG PR Team LG Corp. +82 2 3773 2171 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ayoung-kim-selected-as-the-2025-lg-guggenheim-award-recipient-302383479.html SOURCE LG Corp. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs