SOMNIUM – a video artwork by Eunju Hong

On 28.09.2024 we will be showing the latest work by our scholarship holder Eunju Hong, a video installation called <SOMNIUM>

<SOMNIUM>, which means “Dream” in Latin, is inspired by the eponymous book written by the german astronomer Johannes Kepler in 1609. In this book, a boy, reflecting Kepler himself, discover the life in the moon described by a Daemon, who was introduced by the boy’s witch mother. In 1615, when the witch hunting was thriving in Europe, Johannes Kepler’s mother, Katharina Kepler, was accused as a witch, because of her strong personality and her interest in making medicine out of herbs. The book was not officially published until the death of Johannes Kepler, but the manuscript of <SOMNIUM> circulated Europe. After years of witch trial, Katharina Kepler passed away. After her death, Johannes Kepler was captured in guilt and anger and added more than 200 footnotes to <SOMNIUM>, which became longer than the novel itself.

Eunju Hong won the media art prize of Kunststiftung Ingvild and Stephan Goetz with the proposal <SOMNIUM>, which was inspired by the novel and the original story. The 2 channel video installation <SOMNIUM> was exhibited in the Akademiegalerie in Munich in September, which was finished during her stay at Otte 1.

Eunju Hong will be present. After the screening, there will be an opportunity to chat with the artist over a drink.