2013 Artsonje Lounge Project #5: A Great Mission of The 20th Robots – The Birth of Steel Robots, held in the lounge space at Artsonje Center, is designed to trace memories and sentiments from the 1950s to the 1970s with the three-dimensional models of cartoon characters from the cartoons then.

This exhibition is a sequel of 2013 Artsonje Lounge Project #2: A Great Mission of the 20C Comics – The Comics and the Age, which reflected on Korean society through comics. The former exhibition evoked a deep nostalgia for comics to people of the digital era by introducing rare and valuable comic books and other materials. This exhibition, A Great Mission of The 20th Robots -The Birth of Steel Robots, presents not only more than 400 robot models, old and new, but also the behind-the-scene stories of the production. Moreover, the exhibition seeks new values from the old collections and brings rich enjoyment and spectacles, which every generation can sympathize with.

The main character of the exhibition is ‘steel robots’ that appeared in the morning animation program on TV in Korea from the 1950-70’s. During this time, when only few families had a black-and-white television in their house, every child in the town gathered at the house that had a television to watch cartoons. Seeing strong robots that protect the planet from villains, some children dreamed to be heroes defending the earth, and others wished to be scientists who make robots with all-around functions.

The exhibition introduces objects of dreams and memories from that age in one place. It systematically and diversely presents models of steel robots, including not only rare collector’s items, but also newly made super alloy robots. For instance, people can meet steel robot characters such as “Tetsujin 28-go,” which is televised about 40 years ago but still is a beloved robot, “Mazinga Z,” which is created in 1956, and “Taekwon V,” in 1976. Also on view are the original vantage figures like 50-year-old tin toy robot and 30-year-old soft vinyl robot.

Following 2013 Artsonje Lounge Project #2: A Great Mission of the 20C Comics – The Comics and the Age, 2013 Artsonje Lounge Project #5: A Great Mission of The 20th Robots-The Birth of Steel Robots displays a collection of Hyun-Sik Kim, a famous collector. In order to cherish his childhood memories, he has been collecting priceless comic books and robots for a long period of time. Artsonje Lounge Project has introduced one collector’s enormous materials and collections with two thematic exhibitions. Furthermore, with collected materials, the project will promote various types of visual cultures and share memories of old days with the audience.