Installation view of 《Thomas》 © Total Museum

From October 15 to November 15, Total Museum presents 《Thomas》, a collaborative project by artist Min Oh and curator Suzy Park. 《Thomas》 consists of three parts: an exhibition, a publication, and discussions. This structure introduces a three-part framework of artist, curator, and critic. Within this composition, artwork, curating, and criticism — which have long been established as separate domains — disrupt one another’s roles.

The curatorial framework, built through weekly study meetings and discussions conducted by the artist and curator over the course of a full year, was developed into the imaginary critic “Thomas.” Thomas refers to one of the twelve disciples of Jesus in the Bible, known as “Doubting Thomas,” the one who believes through doubt. Here, Thomas is summoned as “one who believes in art through doubt.”

Installation view of 《Thomas》 © Total Museum

《Thomas》 actively invites critical writings by art researchers Seonryeong Cho, Sooyoung Nam, Yeasul Shin, and Janghyun Choi. In this context, criticism is summoned as both material and form: as artistic creation, artistic planning, and artistic practice.

The artworks presented in the exhibition are time-based installations by artist Min Oh. As the artist’s own share, which cannot be divided with the curator or the critic, they fully occupy the materials, forms, composition, and sensory language of art.

The publication Thomas includes the manifesto of the imaginary critic Thomas, writings by the curator, artist, and invited art researchers, as well as Thomas’s questions, named “doubts,” throughout the book. These “doubts” will be discussed in programs held during the exhibition period in conversation with the four invited participants.

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