Ua a'o 'ia 'o ia e ia / 우아 아오 이아 오 이아 에 이아 - Sung Hwan Kim

An extraordinary, monolithic publication documenting the highly acclaimed solo exhibition of renowned multimedia artist Sung Hwan Kim, held at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA). Spanning a massive 560 pages and weighing over 2.2 kg (4.9 lbs), this premium bilingual volume is far more than a mere exhibition catalog—it is a comprehensive archival artwork and a critical academic monograph.

The title, “Ua a'o 'ia 'o ia e ia” (a Hawaiian phrase translating roughly to "He/she was taught by him/her"), reflects Kim’s deep, ongoing investigation into the structural logics of language, memory, and geopolitical history.

Key Features & Content:
Comprehensive Visual Archive: Features stunning, high-resolution documentation and full-bleed spreads of Sung Hwan Kim’s video installations, architectural structures, performance art, and experimental sound works exhibited globally (including ZKM Karlsruhe and Van Abbemuseum).

Interdisciplinary Text & Critiques: Contains profound essays and dialogues exploring Hawaiian sovereignty, immigration, and historical trauma. Includes critical contributions by Drew Kahu'āina Broderick, community texts like E Ho'omau no Moananuiākea, and conversations surrounding the legendary native video collective Nā Maka o ka ʻĀina.

Poetic & Historical Logic: Explores the intricate relationship between body movement, culture, and space—featuring snippets of traditional dance history alongside archival fragments from 1937 Seoul (Kyungsung).