'Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis' and 'The Way We Face Truth' both removed; district says it takes residents' concerns 'seriously'
Nowon-gu has expressed regret and removed two artworks from the 2026 Nowon Moonlight Walk festival after the pieces sparked controversy for incorporating a North Korean flag and missile models.
The district said it had already pulled "Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis" and has since completed the removal of a second piece, "The Way We Face Truth," both of which drew criticism at the festival, which opened Friday.
The controversy erupted after the Chosun Ilbo reported Saturday on the installation of "Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis" along Danghyeoncheon stream in Nowon-gu, publishing reader-submitted photographs that appeared to show missile-shaped sculptures painted with the North Korean flag and the Iranian flag.
Following the report, Nowon-gu said Monday that upon reviewing the final installed form of "Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis" on opening day, it found the work differed from the concept proposal it had originally been briefed on, and asked the artist to make revisions. The district said it subsequently decided to remove the piece after weighing the purpose of the public exhibition against residents' concerns.
The district expressed regret over the discomfort and worry caused by a public exhibition held in a space residents use for everyday walks.
It said the artwork had not yet been installed at the time of an on-site inspection conducted two days before the opening. The inspection focused on overall festival readiness — including visitor safety, the viewing environment and resident inconvenience — and the content and expression of individual works were not part of its scope, the district added.
The selection of works and management of the exhibition were carried out under the independent authority of the Nowon Culture Foundation, the district added.
As the controversy widened, questions arose about accountability — specifically whether the content and expression of the works received adequate review during the selection and final installation process.
"We take seriously the point that the final installed form and content of works should have been verified with greater care, given that this is a public exhibition held in a walking space residents use in their daily lives," Nowon-gu said.
The district said it would "closely examine the entire process from artwork selection through production, installation and final inspection to prevent a recurrence of similar cases." It also pledged to "pay even closer attention to exhibition management and on-site oversight so that residents can comfortably enjoy culture and the arts for the remainder of the festival."
The episode leaves unresolved the broader question of how to balance freedom of artistic expression in public cultural exhibitions with community sentiment and the responsibilities of those who select and oversee the works.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
