Honbul, Light of the Abyss

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From September 24 to October 14, the Busan International Photography Festival will feature the thematic exhibition "Honbul, Light of the Abyss" at F1963 Sukcheon Hall. This groundbreaking exhibition will be the first in South Korea to delve into "human existence through Korea's unique cultural and philosophical lens, " drawing from the nation's rich spiritual traditions to offer a new perspective on how these influences shape our understanding of life. Showcasing works by both Korean and international artists, the exhibition will examine the distinct artistic and philosophical significance of Korea’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Through this exhibition, the 2025 Busan International Photography Festival presents a new, thought-provoking theme, highlighting Korean photography as both firmly based in the nation’s traditions and poised to make an impact on the global stage. Many photography festivals across South Korea, including those in Seoul, show a tendency to follow the same patterns as previous events, focusing on themes based on Western photography theories and primarily offering a platform for well-known international artists. As a result, they have struggled to rise above the limitations of being perceived as just another localized cultural event, lacking broader international impact.

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The 2025 Busan International Photography Festival blends Western art theory with a distinctly Korean vision, offering a platform to showcase the unique identity of Korean photography through the theme "Honbul, Light of the Abyss." By doing so, the festival aims to elevate its position and reputation as South Korea's leading photography event.

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Artistic Director : Lee Il Woo(www.facebook.com/ilwoo.lee.58)

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2025 BIPF Main Exhibition

JinHa PARK presents the Seoraksan(East side of Korea, International Park)series Beyond under the theme of the "landscape beyond landscape," transcending human perception and the limitations of the photographic medium. Created through a combination of infrared photography, stitching, and stacking techniques, the monumental panoramic works reconstruct reality as a multi-layered and expanded space. In these images, from which conventional perspective has been removed, the depth of monochrome coexists with vivid reds, forming a landscape that is at once unfamiliar and striking.

Seoraksan has long been regarded as a sacred natural site imbued with the spiritual and cultural identity of the Korean people. Reimagined through the lens of infrared as a mountain glowing red, it symbolises fire, vitality, and birth. At the same time, it expands to evoke the collective energy and unity of contemporary society. By bringing into the frame realms beyond sensory perception and dimensions inaccessible to the eye, the artist invites us to experience landscape not merely as physical space but as a stratum of ‘hidden reality’. Ultimately, his photographs guide the viewer to explore what lies beyond the boundaries of perception.

Curator : Jeongeun Lee (www.instagram.com/jeongeun.artist)

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38°11'36.3"N 128°28'32.8"E , Beyond (Manual of Landscape)

2021 Summer

Archival pigment print

15.000x 3.000 (1.500x 3.000x 10ea)

Infrared Stitched Stacked Panorama

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38°05'02.9"N 128°25’49.7"E , Beyond (Manual of Landscape)

2022 Summer

Archival pigment print

3.000x 3.000 (1.500x 3.000x 2ea)

Infrared Stitched Stacked Panorama

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