Hyundai's VH AWARD Celebrates Artistic Innovation with Grand Prix Winner

The VH AWARD, organized by Hyundai Motor Group, has unveiled its sixth edition's Grand Prix recipient during a premiere screening exhibition held on June 17, 2025, at Vision Hall of Hyundai Motor Group University in Yongin, South Korea. This year's prestigious accolade was awarded to Wendi Yan for her groundbreaking CGI film, "Dream of Walnut Palaces," which examines the intersection of knowledge exchange between Asia and Europe in the 18th century. The film offers a unique perspective on a fictional Daoist's psyche within a Parisian laboratory, offering a critique of techno-Orientalism through sophisticated visual storytelling.

The jury, consisting of notable figures in the art world including Christl Baur, Head of Ars Electronica Festival; Sabine Himmelsbach, Director of HEK (House of Electronic Arts); and Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of The Whitworth, praised Yan's work for its rigorous research and diasporic lens. The jury's acknowledgment of Yan's innovative approach highlights the VH AWARD's mission to foster transcultural and transhistorical dialogue within contemporary art.

In addition to Yan, five other finalists were recognized for their contributions to the art community. Each artist was awarded grants to produce new works that explore themes of history, mythology, identity, and technology. Among the finalists were Lêna Bùi with her project "dream(machine, human)"—a non-linear narrative about the relationship between humans and machines—and HUDA x MUNGOMERY, whose work "Within Tirta" addresses ecological urgency through the lens of mythology.

The VH AWARD aims to discover and nurture emerging media artists who engage with Asia's complex cultural landscape. As articulated by DooEun Choi, Art Director of Hyundai Motor, the award serves as a platform for artists to reflect on the evolving context of Asia, bridging the past and future through engaging audiovisual narratives.

The screening exhibition will continue at the Vision Hall of Hyundai Motor Group University and Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing, running from June 18. Furthermore, a public program will be hosted at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria, in September, followed by an exhibition during Singapore Art Week 2026 in collaboration with the National Arts Council Singapore. The VH AWARD's commitment to fostering artistic innovation will persist with an open call for the 7th edition planned for the first half of 2026, ensuring that the conversation around contemporary art remains vibrant and inclusive.