Augmented reality (AR)
Variable dimensions
2018
Richard Humann • The Tiger Horse installed over the DMZ between North and South Korea • 2018
The Tiger Horse by Richard Humann is an augmented reality installation within the universe of his Ascension augmented reality art installation, extending its contemporary mythology into the divided landscape of the Korean Peninsula. Permanently installed virtually above the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the village of Cheorwon, within South Korea’s Civilian Control Zone (CCZ), the work addresses the division between North and South Korea and the enduring cultural bonds that connect them.
Although separated into two countries, North and South Korea share a common language, cultural traditions, and a history that stretches back centuries. Humann gives physical form to this connection through a hybrid creature composed of two symbolic figures: a tiger representing South Korea and a winged white horse representing North Korea. Their heads rest upon the bodies of magpies, birds prevalent in the region that move freely across the divided peninsula. A rope binds the magpie bodies together, evoking both the physical division imposed by the DMZ and the deeper connection that continues to unite the two nations.
Each element contributes to the work’s larger metaphor. The tiger and the winged horse embody two distinct national identities, while their shared structure suggests a common origin and an intertwined destiny. The magpies introduce a contrasting image of freedom and movement, crossing boundaries that remain closed to many people. The rope functions as both a symbol of separation and a reminder of the powerful ties that persist despite political division.
Within the Ascension universe, The Tiger Horse becomes a contemporary mythological figure representing a history that remains unresolved. Its hybrid form challenges the idea that the two Koreas can be understood entirely as separate entities, emphasizing instead the cultural continuity beneath their political division.
Ultimately, The Tiger Horse is a symbol of peace and mutual recognition, but above all, of unification. By placing this imagined creature above one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders, Humann transforms the divided landscape into a space for imagining another future—one in which shared heritage might become the foundation for reconciliation and renewed unity.
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Video credit: Directed by Jesse Strauch
Edited and Original Music by George LaGrange
Photo credit: Richard Humann Studio