Experiencing Different Cultures Through Art

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA), in partnership with LAUNCH LA, presented the open-call exhibition “Edge of Now.” The exhibition was held for three weeks, from March 6 to March 27, on the second floor of the KCCLA Art Gallery. The exhibition featured 36 selected artists from the Southern California region, chosen through an open call competition.

This exhibition aimed to provide an opportunity for local artists with diverse cultural backgrounds, including Korean-American artists, and to foster communication and exchange between communities through art. The selection process for the competition was conducted by Professor Sunook Park, Professor of Art at Cal State Long Beach, and art critic Shana Nys Dambrot, both independent curators.

The opening ceremony was attended by President James Panozzo of LAUNCH LA, judges Sunook Park and Shana Nys Dambrot, selected artists, cultural figures, gallery professionals, and about 100 guests, creating a lively and successful event.

More than 140 local artists submitted over 560 works to the competition, and after a fair review process, 40 works from 36 artists, including Korean-American artists, were selected.

This exhibition offered a meaningful opportunity for Southern California artists with diverse cultural backgrounds and the audience to come together, share their stories through art, and explore their cultural identities.