"An exhibition that seeks to immerse you in the essence of a Korean garden, and does so in an almost empty room, somehow works really well. In a mountainous country, gardens are said to be of particular importance culturally, with a lot of thought given over to their layout and how they reconnect people with nature and relaxation. It would be exceptionally difficult to recreate a Korean landscape in the UK, so an exhibition does something different - it digitises the experience."
"Three videos give you a sense of the garden in a very otherworldly sense, with a flowing passage through two gardens. The digital representations are quite low-resolution on a big screen, but that's a good thing, as you can see hi-res versions around the other side, and if that was blown up to a huge screen, it would burn your eyes. As it is, the end result is more relaxing and contemplative rather than a pixel-perfect documentary."
"A third video is aimed at the floor - and is maybe the best of the three, as it's more dynamic, and also, having seen the videos on the wall, more unexpected. To complement the experience, there are fragrances, and overall, although you're sitting in a dark room, it's oddly relaxing. A bit like sitting in a garden in fact."
Strolling Through Korean Gardens recreates the atmosphere of Korean gardens through three digital videos in an almost empty, dark room. Two wall-mounted videos present a flowing passage between two gardens in intentionally low resolution, while high-resolution stills are available nearby. A third, floor-directed video is dynamic and unexpectedly engaging after viewing the wall projections. Subtle fragrances enhance the sensory experience. The overall effect emphasizes relaxation and contemplation rather than documentary fidelity. The installation lasts about 15 minutes and is free to visit at the Korean Cultural Centre near Trafalgar Square, open weekdays until 14 November 2025.
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