Mysticism and Media Converge at the 13th Seoul Mediacity Biennale 2025
The 13th edition of the Seoul Mediacity Biennale, a premier international media art event, is scheduled to run from August 26 to November 23, 2025, primarily hosted at the Seoul Museum of Art alongside various satellite venues throughout the city. This edition, themed "Séance: Technology of the Spirit," promises to deliver an evocative exploration of spirituality, mysticism, and the interaction between the material and immaterial worlds within contemporary art.
Curated by Anton Vidokle, Hallie Ayres, and Lukas Brasiskis, who also serve as the artistic directors, the Biennale features approximately 49 artists and collectives from diverse backgrounds. Their curatorial approach uses the concept of a séance—a ritualistic gathering to connect with spirits—as a metaphor and structure for the exhibition. This thematic lens challenges the prevailing ideologies of capitalism, materialism, and post-colonial contexts by evoking alternative spiritual and animistic traditions.
The curators state their vision: the Biennale is designed as an “exhibition-as-séance” that constructs a heightened perceptual experience where waking life merges with the more-than-human world. It brings to the fore works that cross boundaries between the psychic, ancestral, and imaginary realms, embracing occult, shamanic, and transcendental influences. This transcendent framework connects to critical contemporary discourses such as feminism, indigenous struggles, anti-capitalism, and post-colonial resistance, creating a rich and multilayered critical dialogue.
As an experimental platform, the Biennale engages film, sound, and performance arts. A dedicated Sound Room curated by Sanna Almajedi features sound art inspired by Pauline Oliveros’s “deep listening,” inviting immersive auditory experiences. The theatrical program includes ORTA’s sci-fi ritual The New Genius Experience of The Great Atomic Bombreflector (2025), which blends mysticism and science fiction with embodied audience participation.
The choice of the Seoul Museum of Art as the main venue symbolizes the city’s status as a media metropolis and reflects the Biennale’s commitment to addressing contemporaneous changes in media and culture. Since its inception in 2000 as a Seoul Metropolitan Government initiative, the Seoul Mediacity Biennale has gained international acclaim for exploring new forms of media art and experimental practices. The event draws an average of 140,000 visitors per edition, solidifying its role in expanding media art discourse globally.
For detailed exhibition information, visiting details, and participating artist lists, the official Biennale site offers comprehensive resources: Seoul Mediacity Biennale 2025
Image source: Seoul Mediacity Biennale official website
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FAQ
Q1: When and where will the 2025 Seoul Mediacity Biennale take place?
A1: The Biennale will run from August 26 to November 23, 2025, mainly at the Seoul Museum of Art and other venues around Seoul.
Q2: Who are the artistic directors and what is their curatorial vision?
A2: Anton Vidokle, Hallie Ayres, and Lukas Brasiskis serve as artistic directors. They conceptualize the Biennale as an “exhibition-as-séance,” exploring spiritual and mystical dimensions to challenge dominant contemporary discourses.
Q3: How many artists participate?
A3: Approximately 49 artists and collectives participate, showcasing a wide range of media including film, sound, and performance.
Q4: What is the main theme of the Biennale?
A4: The theme “Séance: Technology of the Spirit” investigates how media arts can evoke and engage with alternative forms of knowledge and non-material realities like mysticism and spirituality.
Q5: What kinds of artworks and programs does the Biennale include?
A5: The exhibition features films, sound art, performances, and installations. Highlights include a curated Sound Room and theatrical performances blending science fiction with ritual.
Q6: What is the significance of the Biennale’s format and location?
A6: Held in Seoul, a media metropolis, the event emphasizes experimental media art’s potential to reflect and influence contemporary cultural and technological changes.
Q7: Where can I find more information?
A7: Visit the official website at Seoul Mediacity Biennale 2025 and consult media coverage linked above for in-depth insights.
This edition of the Seoul Mediacity Biennale confirms its standing as a vital platform for experimental media art that bridges contemporary culture with spiritual and critical inquiry, promising a thought-provoking experience for local and international audiences alike.