hypebeast korea, ' mino's outer space '

' The Song Min Ho x Gentle Monster "Burning Planet" Exhibition -
MINO's Outer Space '

- To provide comfort for the 'burned out' modern-day person -

 

Since this past September, mysterious posts began to appear on Song Min Ho's Instagram from time to time. It would be a photo of him on his latest painting or a video of him working on his latest painting or a video of him burning a chair, and these posts, without any further explanation, began to pique the curiosity of many. But they turned out to be clues for the collaborative exhibition between rapper Song Min Ho and the global eyewear brand, Gentle Monster. The art collaboration is called 'BURNING PLANET', dubbed 'A NEW TYPE OF EXHIBITION'.

 

'BURNING PLANET' is a unique exhibit which consists of media art and project, performances, and a cafe. 'BURN OUT' was a theme Song Min Ho found himself fascinated and inspired by, and he planned for the exhibit to be about, 'The modern-day person who puts all their energy into everyday life and responsibilities and finds themselves eventually becoming exhausted.' Thus, with the work of both Song Min Ho and GM, a different kind of outer space, a 'BURNING PLANET', was born.

 

We met Song Min Ho at the opening event of 'BURNING PLANET' on October 10th. During the event, Song Min Ho showed different kinds of performances, like drawing a burning rose against the wall or setting a dessert on fire. Burning Planet was a planet in which absolutely everything had burned to black. This curious world begins with an invitation to the Clock Room.

 

"The beings of the Burning Planet have made an emergency landing on Earth. There is only one way for them to return to their home planet. They must borrow a human's place to create a portal to the Burning Planet."

 

The beings of the Burning planet, who were seeking for a human who would help them, meet an old man who owns a clock shop. The old man agrees to let them use his space on the condition that the beings will leave the portal open for one month. Eventually, the old man reveals to his customers the Burning Planet that exists behind his store.

 

The 'clock shop', where the exhibition begins, has the concept of a speakeasy, an establishment that sold liquor during the Prohibition Era. Essentially it exists without a sign or is disguised as a different kind of store. The idea is to invite guests to discover the strange, mysterious, and unknown space-time through the Burning Planet that's hiding behind the clock shop.

 

"Besides mankind, the flora and fauna of the planet could not survive the environment and all became extinct. The ostrich is the only other living creature to survive." 

 

The Burning Planet consists of living organisms experiencing burnout, physical spaces, and objects. This planet exists outside of our solar system but sometimes orbits closer to the sun at specific times. When it does, most of the living things of the planet simultaneously burn and are charged with energy, which is how they are able to continue to live.

 

Mankind on this planet suffer from extreme physical and mental fatigue, unable to escape from being lethargic and it is shown that they continuously repeat very similar actions. All other flora and fauna have not been able to survive this environment and have become extinct, and the ostrich is the only other living creature to exist. Song Min Ho and Gentle Monster envisioned that, out of all living things, the ostrich, one of the strongest and biggest creatures, would be able to continue to live in the face of extreme situations. The robot ostrich also serves as a teaser for the brand's large-scale project involving moving pieces.

 

"The only portal to look into this world where objects, life, and space are being burned out has been opened."

 

'BURNING PLANET' throws a question to the modern-day person who exhausts their energy focusing on the obligations of their daily lives. They are able to experience an unknown planet in which everything in existence has been burnt to black, and they are left to rely on their own senses and creativity to navigate through the darkness.

 

"The ostrich egg is the Burning Planet's sole source of energy."

 

The ostrich egg is refrigerated before it can be burnt and is rationed as needed in order to survive. This detail is conveyed to the audience through the "ostrich egg" and the "Burning Planet's stone", as well as a drink, which all make up the dessert plate.

 

The soft flavor of the "ostrich egg" is a lively concoction of vanilla sponge and black sesame mousse. The "stone" is formed as an "edible" piece made up of a "semi-freddo", which is a cream cheese base mixed with lemon curd and chocolate to bring out the overall flavor.

 

After the opening event on October 10th, the 'BURNING PLANET' exhibition will be available to visit for one month until November 9th. Pre-reservation opens from October 5th via the Gentle Monster website, and the exhibit will be available for a capped number of 200 people every day.