The 12-minute concert footage was recorded at the Dia Beacon, a modern art gallery in upstate New York. It was published on Thursday by RM, the leader of the Korean pop group BTS and an enthusiastic art lover.
The concert, which features performances of the lead single “Wild Flower,” “Change Pt. 2,” and “Still Life,” takes place on December 2 to coincide with the release of his solo album, Indigo, and to highlight a number of the museum’s artworks.
In an interview with the museum that was released on Friday, the singer, rapper, and composer stated, “I thought [“Still Life”]could relate with the artwork nicely because you know it’s a whole type of change.” The former box factory, according to RM, has been turned by Dia Beacon into a “magical,” “charming,” and “fascinating” location.
The way the light interacts with the artwork’s surface is visually stunning. In December of last year, RM, whose actual name is Kim Namjoon, visited Dia Beacon and shared pictures of the museum’s exhibits with his 40 million Instagram followers.
The items on display in RM’s performance include Dan Flavin’s 1973 nameless light sculpture, John Chamberlain’s crushed metal sculptures, Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses, and Robert Irwin’s landscape architecture on the property (to you, Heiner, with admiration and affection).
RM went into greater detail about each piece in the Dia Beacon interview, beginning with his adoration for Richard Serra’s sculptures in Glenstone and LACMA museums. Because his sculptures are somewhat emblematic of this location, RM remarked, “I had to execute a live performance there alongside his artworks.”
After he was spotted reading an out-of-print book about Korean painters in the summer of 2021, RM’s influence on the art world even helped it become a bestseller. He was also recently honored by a South Korean organization for his multiple financial gifts to arts organizations that assist save the nation’s antiquities abroad.
RM previously said that he selects the museums and galleries outside of South Korea based on the shows by his favorite artists, his curiosity, and the locations themselves. RM visits locations in South Korea that offer modern and contemporary Korean artists.
“Visual art has given my music depth and helped me create original sound textures. The practice of thinking in several senses and dimensions had also greatly motivated me, ” RM added.