Through Annie’s feedback, I came to the conclusion that addressing the problems of Korean art education would be too far from the topic of Sound Art. However, since I want to research the perception of art in Korea, I was considering how to frame and connect the subject. During this process, I thought it might be better to return to the theme I wrote about in a previous essay: how relational aesthetics is treated in Korea.

I believe that Korean art culture is far removed from audience participation. In Korea, static museum viewing has become a kind of cultural norm, which makes it difficult for relational aesthetics to be applied. This is also connected to the broader public perception in Korea that one should not “stand out.” Not only in art but also in public life, people often avoid situations where participation puts a spotlight on themselves. This tendency directly opposes the principles of relational aesthetics, which emphasizes audience participation and the shifting of subjectivity.

The working title of my paper is “Relational Aesthetics in the Eastern Asia—with a Focus on Sound Art.” I plan to begin with a preliminary round of research to determine what frameworks I should establish and what case studies I might be able to include. If I find that there are not enough relevant examples or that the project proves too difficult to pursue, I will return to my original topic: “The Ambiguity of Boundaries Between Art and Non-Art—with a Focus on Sound Art.” In a later post, I will address relational aesthetics and related debates in the East in more depth.