A Review of Suah Im’s ‘Entropy’ at EIGEN+ART

by Aurola Győrfy // Dec. 8, 2023

Suah Im adeptly deconstructs body consciousness, transforming sensory organs like the nose and the mouth into objects that encapsulate symbolic narratives. By isolating and magnifying these organs, she redefines their significance beyond their physiological function. These metamorphosed body fragments serve as conduits, beckoning us to introspection, and compelling a reevaluation of our sensory perception and intimate connection with our physical selves.

The artist’s solo exhibition ‘Entropy’ at Galerie EIGEN+ART Lab in Berlin invites visitors into the depths of self-exploration and existential introspection through a radically physical experience. Im’s artistic narrative revolves around the quest for self-essence, delving into themes of overcoming challenges and transcending limitations while relying on the body’s innate intuition and one’s perception.

Suah Im: ‘Entropy,’ 2023, installation view at Galerie Eigen+Art Lab // Courtesy of Galerie Eigen+Art Lab

At the heart of the exhibition, the womb-like structure titled ‘Die Bärin’ is made from rough layers of pink fabric, establishing both a secure, sheltered space and serving as a canvas for the screening of Im’s video work. The intimacy of the work embodies the origin of life and the birth of something new, and it also reflects on the artist’s cultural heritage. Central to the video is a tribute to the Korean myth depicting the transformative journey of a bear, evolving into the primal woman and thereby becoming the maternal ancestor of Korean society. The bear faced numerous trials of fortitude, enduring the challenges of subsisting in a cave on pearl millet and garlic; after 100 days in isolation, she transformed into the first Korean woman. Presented here, the bear assumes symbolic resonance with Berlin and echoes its iconic bear mascot. Emblematic of strength, fortitude and safety, in this work, the bear links different cultural symbols together. The focus on non-human identities in Im’s work challenges anthropocentric storytelling and creates a dialogue between diverse interpretations of the human form and its genesis, notably highlighting the feminine body. She also reveals the entropy of differences in cultural readings of the body, transcending conventional boundaries and fostering a convergence among disparate cultural contexts.

Suah Im: ‘Entropy,’ 2023, installation view at Galerie Eigen+Art Lab // Courtesy of Galerie Eigen+Art Lab

The exploration of the symbolism of garlic in Suah Im’s art is manifested in her installation ‘Übermenschen.’ Garlic holds significant ties within Korean spiritual beliefs and health practices, offering alternative approaches to healing and well-being. At the opening of the exhibition, during Im’s performance, she involved the aroma of garlic, which made the exhibition’s space physically legible. The scent spread between the pieces, connecting the visitors and the works through the physical experience of relying on their noses. The installation ‘Übermenschen (Knoblauch Nase)’ connects the nostrils of a garlic-shaped object resting on the gallery floor with two tracheae protruding from a pink shroud, reinforcing the key role of scents and meditative breathing. In Im’s work, this mode of parabolic sensual togetherness—breathing as a starting point for the reception of information—explores universalism and intellectual interconnectedness. Im’s recurrent motif of a radically sensorial being, relying on intuition and visceral responses, also embodies a particular human entity capable of navigating through the challenges of alienation and the disconnection between body and mind.

Suah Im: ‘Entropy,’ 2023, installation view at Galerie Eigen+Art Lab // Courtesy of Galerie Eigen+Art Lab

‘The strait gate and narrow way’ is a multidimensional installation that incorporates themes of passage, choice, transformation and circulation. The title itself draws on biblical allusions, specifically from the Gospel of Matthew, referring to the narrow gate and the difficult path to life. Im’s interpretation transforms this concept into an installation that encourages the viewer to reflect on the complexity of existence and the choices inherent in the journey of life. The system, reminiscent of an interactive circulatory network, rhizomically connects the different elements of the installation. The circulation of the blue fluid in the tubes is activated by the visitor’s movement. The figure that connects the network is a pink ceramic ant, whose mouth and respiratory system are connected back to the tubular structure. The work connects the elements in a non-linear way, since it is not clear whether the ant is kept alive by the light blue liquid, as an infusion of a respiratory device, or vice versa, also giving more possible readings about the function of the visitor. The work sets in motion the question of the circulation of respiration and the cultural proliferation of cause-and-effect relationships.

Suah Im: ‘Entropy,’ 2023, installation view at Galerie EIGEN+ART Lab // Courtesy of Galerie Eigen+Art Lab

Two plush lips connected by a stretched-out tongue made of orange fabric (‘Zunge I–II’) are embellished with Nietzsche’s famous quote: ‘That which does not kill you makes you stronger’. The quote here reflects on the various parallel co-movements and cycles of life, birth and fertility. Next to the installation, we can see the story of the bear becoming the first Korean human, the figure of a sperm-shaped cushion-like object tangled on a metal hanger and the mouth-cushions celebrating the vitality of life. All these pieces are inter-fertilizing works: the soft, welcoming and vibrant fabrics give playful comfort, recontextualizing the meaning of fertilization and offering alternative ways to understand pre-human mythological biologies.

Suah Im: ‘Entropy,’ 2023, installation view at Galerie Eigen+Art Lab // Courtesy of Galerie Eigen+Art Lab

Im’s artistic framework is also influenced by Asian spiritual heritage and Daoist philosophy. In Daoism, the body is not a physical object, nor a hybrid of spirit and flesh, which is the object of theological reflection, but an entity that connects a diversity of meanings. The exploration of the body’s capacities and its intricate organ systems within Daoist practices serves as a subjective journey for Im, extending the boundaries of selfhood and ego, broadening the individual’s self-identity. Drawing inspiration from ancient philosophical doctrines, Im’s practice ventures beyond the realm of symbolism, confronting us with more tangible and corporeal interpretations.