KM21 – Mickey Yang | Upaya

KM21 –

Mickey Yang | Upaya

Museum: KM21

Exhibition: Upaya

Artist: Mickey Yang

Mickey Yang’s exhibition Upaya at KM21 offers a layered and thought-provoking perspective on how Asian philosophies and spiritual practices are interpreted within the Western pursuit of self-development. With subtlety and a touch of humor, Yang explores themes such as craftsmanship, language, and cultural appropriation in her first solo museum exhibition.

Installations with tension and contrast

In her work, Yang combines robust, earthy materials such as wood and metal with ephemeral elements like smoke, reflections, and sound. This tense combination results in a multidimensional experience where the temporary and the permanent reinforce each other.

Everyday objects, including a plasma ball, a mosquito coil, and the sound of a singing bowl, are used as carriers of meaning. They reveal how Eastern philosophies in the West are sometimes profoundly embraced, but can also devolve into ironic or commercialized interpretations.

Experience

The exhibition invites visitors not only to look but also to reflect. Upaya shows how cultural ideas travel, transform, and acquire new meanings depending on context and perspective. The result is a richly layered exhibition that appeals both intellectually and sensually, and perfectly fits within KM21’s experimental and investigative character.

A powerful museum presentation where concept, material, and experience converge.