Ayoung Kim’s Many Worlds Over at Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin explores the intersections of AI, speculative fiction, and reality, immersing visitors in a universe where time, space, and identities blur.
The exhibition marks a significant moment for both the artist and the institution, being the first in Hamburger Bahnhof’s history to fully embrace new media art. Curated by Dr. Sam Bardaouil, the show promises to spark critical discussions on the role of technology in contemporary art and its societal implications. As the first exhibition of 2025, it sets the tone for the museum’s future direction.
Kim's exhibition will feature a range of her works, including major video installations, sculptures, and the latest addition to her Delivery Dancer series, Delivery Dancer’s Arc: 0° Receiver (2024). This work continues her exploration of futuristic, multi-dimensional worlds where human and technological relationships evolve. The narrative follows two female delivery riders, Ernst Mo and En Storm, who discover that Seoul exists within multiple possible worlds. Their journey through expanding dimensions of time and space highlights the profound impact of rapidly advancing technologies, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.
In addition to this new work, the exhibition will showcase Kim’s key pieces such as Delivery Dancer’s Sphere (2022), The Evening Peak Time Is Back (2022), and others. These works blend video, sculpture, and interactive elements, inviting visitors to navigate between the virtual and real worlds. For example, the Orbit Dance Series translates the dynamics between characters into sculptural forms, while The Evening Peak Time Is Back brings in elements of queer web fiction, reflecting the nuanced relationships of female delivery riders. Kim's immersive installation creates a labyrinthine experience where visitors can physically and mentally engage with her evolving fictional universe.
Kim’s work is known for its expansive use of speculative fiction, intertwining themes of time, reality, belonging, and queerness. By using AI, game simulations, and sculpture, she creates universes with their own temporal and spatial rules. This allows the audience not just to observe, but to actively shape the narrative, blurring the line between spectator and participant. In her Delivery Dancer universe, infinite possible worlds converge, and the boundaries between time and space dissolve.
