Video and Production by Shreeya Sinha

For Asia Society Museum, Choe has created a kinetic, seal-like creature that appears to be breathing while dozens of intricate “wings,” leaf-like and gold in color, flutter above him. Guardian of the Hole (Custos Cavum in Latin) is the name of the piece, and its creation was inspired by a 10th-century Indian sculpture, Shiva as Lord of Dance (see image below), part of the Asia Society’s Mr. And Mrs. John D. Rockefeller III Collection. The exhibition is part of an ongoing In Focus series in which contemporary artists create new works inspired by Asia Society’s permanent collection.

According to Choe’s story, Custos Cavum guards the flow of communication between two realms. Just as the Hindu god Shiva represents balance and harmony, the Guardian is also a symbol of coexistence.

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