Client: GyeongGi Cultural Foundation

Overview

Visions in Motion, conceived by artist Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, is an awe-inspiring public art installation representing the power of unity and the longing for peace. This large-scale, interactive piece debuted at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany in 2019 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and later evolved in 2022 to grace the Korean Demilitarized Zone, signifying the potential of peace and coexistence between North and South Korea. The traveling installation is comprised of 120,000 streamers of fabric, 30,000 of which bear handwritten messages from the public expressing their wishes, hopes, and memories of the past. This captivating artwork continues to bring the public together, reminding us of the collective power we have. In 2022, Visions in Motion Korea extended this symbolic representation of unity to the Korean Peninsula. Set at the “Let’s DMZ Peace Arts Festival” in the Demilitarized Zone, this massive 800-foot-long sculpture was designed to embody the spirit of peace, coexistence, and the power of people to overcome injustice. Again incorporating messages from individuals worldwide, this installation grew with the contribution of every new message of positivity and unity.

Goals

The goal of the “Let’s DMZ Peace Arts Festival” is to promote peace and coexistence while highlighting the environment and culture in the Demilitarized Zone. The 250-meter (800-foot) participatory sculpture was conceived to be a symbol for peace and the united power of people overcoming injustice—incorporating messages from individuals all over the world to visualize a collective voice of hope. During the festival, the Korean public contributed messages of positivity, unity, and peace to the artwork, joining tens of thousands of messages already presented within the fabric of the work, thereby growing the installation.

Additional Information

Both iterations of this installation are a part of Shearn’s signature Skynet Series, inspired by the beauty of murmurations – the phenomenon of birds flocking together. They serve as a visual metaphor for unity and the power of collective action, promoting a global conversation of hope and peace. The transition from Visions in Motion Germany to Visions in Motion Korea signifies the ongoing desire for unity and harmony worldwide, with Shearn’s artwork as a powerful vehicle for expressing these universal hopes and aspirations. “Art transcends borders and tugs at the thread of our common humanity,” shared Shearn. “Here I strive to use my artwork as a platform for bringing people together in the spirit of hope and action.”