The works of James Lee Byars (1932–1997) and Seung-taek Lee (b. 1932), American and Korean respectively, have never been shown together until now. The two men never knew each other, and yet, as this exhibition (on view through November 18, 2023) demonstrates, there is a common sensibility in their aesthetic and their approach to making that resonates, a shared vision and spirit that emerges through proximity and dialogue between objects. The coupling of otherwise unconnected artists in a single exhibition has become a popular curatorial strategy these days, though it doesn’t always work well. In this instance, however, the pairing of Byars and Lee enriches our understanding and appreciation of both artists.
