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11mo ago

South Korea's Space-Out Competition Promotes the Art of Doing Nothing

Participants in Seoul's annual event find solace in stillness, challenging societal norms of constant productivity.

The competition is performance art that shows a "visual contrast between a group that does nothing and a group that is busy."
More than 100 people gathered to do absolutely nothing in the annual Space-out competition held on Sunday in Seoul.
Speed skater Kwak Yoon-gy takes part in the annual Space-out competition held on Sunday in Seoul.

Overview

  • The competition requires participants to remain silent and still for 90 minutes, with disqualification for any movement or phone use.
  • Heart rates are monitored, with the most stable participants scoring higher, and audience votes also influence the outcome.
  • The event attracts diverse participants, including former Olympians, professionals, and families, seeking a break from daily stress.
  • Founded by visual artist Woopsyang, the competition aims to highlight the importance of downtime in a hyper-competitive world.
  • The event has grown internationally, with similar competitions held in cities like Beijing, Rotterdam, and Tokyo.