Eunice Yunjeong Lee, a spatial designer, is a rising star in the field of exhibition design, particularly through her work at the Museum of Sex in New York City. Her previous project, “RADICAL PERVERTS: Ecstasy and Activism in Queer Public Space, 1975-2000,” running from October 12, 2023, to April 14, 2024, exemplified her ability to combine spatial design with cultural narratives. Curated by Alexis Heller, this exhibition explored the intersections of ecstasy and activism in queer public spaces, offering visitors an immersive journey through a pivotal era in LGBTQ+ history.
As the exhibition designer, Lee’s role was pivotal in bringing the radical spirit of the 1975-2000 queer movement to life within the museum’s walls. Her design approach aimed to craft a chronological narrative that not only guides visitors through the history of queer activism but also immerses them in the emotional and social landscapes of the time. To achieve this, she utilized urban elements that evoke the public spaces where much of this activism unfolded. These spaces were crucial sites of resistance and community-building, and Lee’s design pays homage to their significance.
An important moment in the design process was her decision to use real tiles for a wall meant to evoke the atmosphere of a public bathroom—an essential thematic element in the exhibition. Despite the higher costs and longer installation time, Lee believed that the tactile quality and visual depth of real tiles were necessary to fully convey the exhibition’s message.
In designing the exhibition, Lee was deeply aware of the messages she wanted to convey to the audience. She emphasized the importance of aligning her work with the intentions of the curator and artists, ensuring that their messages were communicated with the respect and sensitivity they deserved. Lee’s design choices were carefully made to honor the essence of the work while being mindful of the contemporary social climate. This balance is crucial in exhibitions that tackle complex and sensitive issues, and Lee’s ability to navigate these challenges speaks to her skill and thoughtfulness as a designer.
Through her design, Lee highlights her exceptional talent for creating spaces that are not only visually striking but also deeply connected to the cultural and historical contexts they represent.
She invites visitors to engage with the past in a way that is both immersive and reflective, providing a powerful platform for dialogue and understanding.
Eunice also announced that her upcoming exhibition designs will be featured in “Hajime Sorayama: Desire Machines” and “Modern Sex: 100 Years of Design and Decency,” both part of the grand opening at the Museum of Sex Miami.
Additionally, her latest works include “Looking at Andy Looking,” curated by Greg Pierce. This exhibition features a collaboration with Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum to present a selection of Warhol’s early films. Furthermore, “I Licked It, It’s Mine,” curated by Ariel Plotek and Amanda Assaf, is also currently on view at the Museum of Sex. Both exhibitions will remain open until early 2025.
