New Delhi, Jun 16 (PTI) A new contemporary art exhibition, “Aqua Paradiso”, which explores water as a visual art, opened at the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) here on Tuesday.
The two-month-long exhibition, organised under the “Touring K-Arts” programme, is supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.
After being showcased in Austria and Italy in 2025, the exhibition is being presented in Delhi as its first Asian stop this year.
Addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, South Korean Ambassador to India Lee Seong-ho said the exhibition held special significance as both Korea and India share a deep cultural and spiritual connection with water.
“In both our cultures, water is not only valued for its utility, but for its spiritual and symbolic significance. In India, as I understand, water holds deep spiritual and cultural significance… In that sense, ‘Aqua Paradiso’ is not only an exhibition of Korean contemporary art, but also a meaningful platform for dialogue and connection between Korea and India through art,” he said.
The exhibition features four works by three Korean artists — Kwon Hyewon’s “Liquid Vision”, BOO Jihyun’s “Where is it going” and eco orot’s “Ocean Tears” and “Plastic Mandala”.
Through media art, installation and video works, the exhibition examines water beyond its conventional understanding as a resource, presenting it instead as a living ecological presence.
Kwon’s “Liquid Vision” traces water’s journey through rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs to examine the connections between nature, technology, and human perception; while BOO Jihyun’s “Where is it going” uses discarded squid-fishing lamps to explore themes of circulation, reflection, and recycling, linking industrial waste with natural cycles.
Artist eco orot’s works focus on environmental concerns and climate change.
“Ocean Tears” incorporates more than 400 droplet-shaped glass pieces along with marine waste materials to evoke emotional responses to ecological degradation, while “Plastic Mandala” transforms plastic debris collected from beaches into a symbolic mandala representing circulation and renewal.
KCCI Director Hwang Il Yong said the exhibition would help strengthen cultural understanding and friendship between India and Korea through their shared respect for nature and water.
The exhibition will come to a close on August 19. PTI MG MG MG MG
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