Continuous Cities

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2GIL29 GALLERY is proud to present 《Continuous Cities》, a solo exhibition by Moonjoo Lee (b. 1972), on view from December 7 to 28, 2024. A graduate of the Department of Western Painting at Seoul National University and its graduate school, followed by further studies at Cranbrook Academy of Art in the United States, Moonjoo Lee has established a distinctive artistic practice centered on the exploration of complex and organic spaces. This exhibition will delve deeper into and expand on the artist’s sustained engagement with contemporary urban themes, presenting a body of work that transcends the physical depiction of cities to reflect the multifaceted structures of modern society and human activity through the language of painting.

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Drawing its title from Italo Calvino’s novel Invisible Cities, 《Continuous Cities》 builds on Moonjoo Lee’s ongoing exploration of the cyclical processes of urban expansion, decline, dismantlement, and redevelopment. The exhibition investigates the structural contradictions and hidden layers of cities as organic and multifaceted spaces, shedding light on the traces of human presence and the social and environmental challenges embedded within the urban landscape. Through these works, viewers are invited to reflect on the essence of contemporary cities and the human condition within them.

The paintings in 《Continuous Cities》 unravel the dualities inherent in urban spaces, transforming Calvino’s allegorical city—an entity that endlessly consumes, disposes, and expands—into visual narratives of human traces and temporal residues. These cities are not mere physical locales; they encapsulate the social frameworks shaped by human desire and consumption, as well as the consequences they yield. Urban expansion, rooted in the ideology of infinite growth, simultaneously gives rise to cycles of disintegration and reconstruction. Lee captures these contradictions and fractures, weaving them into layered visual narratives that articulate the complex meanings of cities. Repeated imagery of decay, dismantlement, and redevelopment, rendered through painting, forms a continuous panorama that conveys the essence of urban existence.

Moonjoo Lee’s work critically examines the social and environmental dilemmas faced by contemporary cities, portraying the interactions between humans and their environment within the urban system. By visualizing the cycles of expansion, collapse, and renewal, the artist interrogates the structural instability and sustainability of modern society. Rather than merely depicting urban landscapes, the paintings delve into the intrinsic meaning of cities and the interplay between humanity and the environment, fostering a profound reflection on the core issues of our time.

Cities are not just assemblages of buildings and roads; they are intricate systems where countless elements interact and intertwine. Moonjoo Lee’s exploration of this complexity encompasses social, environmental, and temporal dimensions. Socially, cities bear the imprints of diverse communities and their economic and cultural activities, revealing inequalities, redevelopment projects, and migrations. Environmentally, urban development has profound consequences, including consumption, waste, and environmental degradation. Temporally, cities embody the coexistence of past, present, and future, with old and new structures reflecting layers of historical memory.

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In Lee’s works, the traces of human activity transform cities into stages where collective lives unfold. Faded street signs, weathered walls, and abandoned spaces reveal the passage of time and human history. Expanding skylines and isolated ruins convey aspirations and limitations, while evoking complex emotions such as nostalgia, alienation, hope, and despair. These emotional resonances are embedded within Lee’s painterly narratives, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the human experience within urban contexts.

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Moonjoo Lee expresses these multifaceted ideas through abstract and visual forms, going beyond literal representations of buildings or streets. The energy and transformations of urban spaces are conveyed through bold brushstrokes, dynamic compositions, and contrasting colors. Recurrent motifs of redevelopment sites, construction zones, and demolished structures emphasize the cyclical nature of cities, creating continuous panoramas. Disrupted geometries and clashing hues illustrate the tensions and conflicts within urban environments, revealing the hidden stories that cities harbor.

As a culmination of 2GIL29 GALLERY’s 2024 program, 《Continuous Cities》 offers more than an opportunity to view artworks—it invites audiences to contemplate the interconnectedness of cities, humanity, and modern society. Through this exhibition, visitors can explore the possibilities and limitations of urban spaces while engaging in critical reflection on contemporary challenges. We warmly invite you to join us for this profound exploration of cities and the human condition, and we deeply appreciate your support and encouragement for this significant event.

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