Latter Genesis: Ana & Carl, a solo exhibition by the artist Kim Yong-Ik, is on view at the Bongsan Cultural Center in Daegu. Known for his longstanding conceptual approach to art, Kim has challenged the absoluteness, completeness, and uniqueness of modernism. In this exhibition, the artist articulates his vision for the “Latter Genesis,” described in his notes as a society marked by a harmonious accordance between the values of Yin and Yang. Here, the sole pursuit of growth and development associated with modern capitalism—the Yang values—is mediated by the promotion of Yin values rooted in care and reciprocity.

At the heart of the exhibition lies Latter Genesis: Ana & Carl (2024), an installation featuring 270 bricks reminiscent of works by the 20th-century minimalist Carl Andre. The blood-stained bricks evoke the artistic style of Ana Mendieta, the feminist artist and Andre's wife, hinting at a mysterious incident that has taken place. While referencing a moment in art history, the work distorts the structure of bricks—representative of Yang, or masculine value—by adding blood—symbolic of Yin, or feminine value. In doing so, Kim advocates for the equitable recognition of both artists.

Kim's conceptual approach, marked by an enduring inquiry into “what is art?” and “what can art do?” through the appropriation and modification of modernist principles, permeates the entire exhibition, from its conception to its execution. Rather than being directly shaped by the artist's hands, Latter Genesis: Ana & Carl was realized by a curator who was only given conceptual instructions via texts and drawings. Displayed alongside the work are the artist's notes, sketches, and emails exchanged between the curator and the artist, highlighting the contextual background of the exhibition and enhancing the understanding of each work.

Latter Genesis: Ana & Carl continues until April 21, 2024.