Poster image of 《Project Dukhoo: Finding Flow》 © SeMA

‘Dukhoo’ is a term that was once used to deride “a reclusive fanatic,” but now it has become part of our cultural code, implying a positive recognition given to “an expert without a degree” or “a guru.” While it originates from the term otaku, symbolizing a Japanese subculture, dukhoo today can be understood more broadly as a person who accomplishes a professional level of knowledge and expertise by willingly investing time and effort in his area of interest.

It is also becoming more widely acceptable nowadays to recognize such passion and proficiency. The landscape of the dukhoo universe is also changing, as diversified facets of media production and distribution are allowing more people to express their individuality, while sharing common interests and communicating information with others.

《Project Dukhoo: Finding Flow》 observes the temperament, gestures, and behaviors of dukhoo that are uniquely acquired in the process of “finding flow,” the act of engaging their passion in various realms. By highlighting their significance in the context of changing social awareness, the exhibition examines the contemporary sociocultural phenomenon defined by the term, dukhoo.
 
The eleven artists participating in this group exhibition present a diverse spectrum of works across genre and medium that delve into the cultural phenomenon of dukhoo. Some explore the boundaries between everyday life and art by engaging in hobbies that reveal their artistic attitudes, or by collecting objects that closely reflect their creative inspiration and the trends of pop culture.

Others experiment with creating new context by appropriating the languages or production methods specific to their areas of interest such as anime films, while some artists probe the systems of production and consumption, as well as the stereotypes of dukhoo in ways of examining the dynamics of cultural trends. There are also works that invite the viewers to experience the “essence of dukhoo,” and by doing so, challenge the stereotypes that disregard the act of “finding flow” as meaningless.
 
What the dukhoo phenomenon indicates to our culture today is the values implied in the act of “finding flow,” understanding one’s inner needs and dedicating oneself to achieve it. As both diversity and professionalism are becoming more recognized in our society, such commitment to oneself may inspire more proactive attitudes toward life. By exploring the phenomenon of dukhoo, the exhibition hopes to shed light on one of the most significant subcultures of our time and share the experience of “finding flow” with the viewers.

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