Installation features the ‘remnants of civilization’

German artist Anselm Reyle poses amid his installation of trash and light at the K3 space of Kukje Gallery in central Seoul. Provided by the gallery

Can a gallery change into a dumping ground? The floor of Kukje Gallery’s K3 space is full of scattered and stacked objects, including a used and broken car, building materials and neon signs that look like that have been abandoned by shuttered stores. They are part of an installation work by German artist Anselm Reyle, titled “What About Love.”

The title is based on a song by the American rock band Heart.

“Reyle has developed an exhibition concept that plays with themes of spectacle and loss by darkening the gallery and concentrating the lighting on just a few selected works, as well as a seemingly chaotic, full sensory installation,” Kukje said in a statement.

“I intend to show all the remnants of civilization in an aesthetic way,” the artist said at the gallery late last month, “but I have no environmentalist intention.”

*The show runs through Dec. 31. Admission is free. For details, visit www.kukje.org or call (02) 735-8449.

By MOON SO-YOUNG [symoon@joongang.co.kr]