Richard Vine reviews the 1997 Kwanju Biennale (Sept. 1-Nov 27, 1997).  With a budget of 12 million, it was smaller than the 1995 Kwanju Biennale, but continued the "Beyond the Borders" concept of the previous biennial with even more emphasis on globalization and hybrid identities.  Artistic director Lee Young-Chul's oversaw the five commissioners who curated the main show entitled "Unmapping the Earth."   The show was divided into five sections--speed, becoming, hybrid, power and space and each section was paired with an agent, "water, earth, wood, metal, and fire."
Only 11 Korean artists out of a total of 102 individuals and groups were selected, and the imbalance was addressed in four satellite exhibitions devoted to Korean work held in various locations throughout Joongwoe Park.   Vine writes, "...this multipart show, purportedly, about the unmapping of the earth was itself chock-a-block full of curatorial agendas and global architectural schemes."  Chinese artists were on view at the Sonje Museum of Contemporary Art in Kyongju, but the art scene is Seoul was relatively quiet during the biennial. 

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