SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Venezuela's Embassy in the Republic of Korea has described the new exhibition "Color Without Limits: Tribute to Carlos Cruz Diez" as a cultural bridge linking Venezuela and South Korea, highlighting how art can strengthen ties between two nations that are geographically distant yet connected by shared values.
"This exhibition is an opportunity for cultural exchange between Venezuela and Korea," Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Chargé d'Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul, told AJP on Thursday. "Although our countries are far apart, we share coincidences in the arts, and Korea has always had a refined appreciation for them. Preserving the legacy of three major Venezuelan kinetic artists — Jesús Rafael Soto, Carlos Cruz Diez, and Víctor Salas — is part of that shared commitment."
The exhibition opened in Caracas in 2023, traveled to Beijing in 2024, and arrived in Seoul this year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and South Korea. It follows last year's "RGB: The Colors of the Century" at the Seoul Arts Center and continues to celebrate the centenary of maestro Cruz Diez.
Carlos Cruz Diez (1923~2019) was one of Venezuela's most influential artists and a global pioneer of kinetic and optical art. His work explored the interaction of light and color, often creating the perception of movement in static pieces. Cruz Diez's legacy is present in museums and public spaces worldwide, and his influence remains central to contemporary visual arts.
Alongside honoring Cruz Diez, the exhibition features works by young Venezuelan artists with cognitive conditions such as autism and Down syndrome, who reinterpret the maestro's kinetic style in ways that promote inclusion and diversity. "It raises awareness about how we can give people with special conditions a chance to be included in society and to develop skills for the future," Di Carlo Quero said.
She added that the exhibition underscores Venezuela's intent to keep Cruz Diez's legacy alive for younger generations. "With just primary colors, one can create infinite variations," she said. "That message reflects creativity without limits, and it is also a way to connect our two nations."
Seoul already hosts two important Venezuelan works — one at Olympic Park and another in Gyeonggi Province — making the capital a meaningful stop for this project. For Venezuelan artists, the exhibition is also an opportunity to highlight the enduring resonance of kinetic art in Korea, a country with a long-standing appreciation for contemporary and abstract art.
As the two countries mark six decades of diplomatic ties this year, Venezuelan officials expressed hope that "Color Without Limits" will serve as a lasting bridge between peoples, extending friendship through art, inclusivity, and shared creativity.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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