(Frankfurt, January 19, 2026) — A new radio piece by South Korean sound artist Hyunju Oh explores the complex theme of motherhood through an evocative soundscape.
The work, titled “mutterseelenalein,” delves into the theme of absent presence, portraying an unwritten letter from a daughter to her mother through a series of acoustic environments.
- Hyunju Oh, a Frankfurt-based artist originally from South Korea, created the radio piece.
- “mutterseelenalein” focuses on the relationship between mother and child, specifically the idea of absent presence.
- The piece utilizes sound to represent an unspoken letter, exploring themes of distance, longing, and loss.
- The work is scheduled to broadcast on hr2-kultur on January 17, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.
Oh’s work, according to a description from hr2-kultur, includes many pieces centered on the theme of “mother” or “mother – child.” “mutterseelenalein” takes this exploration further, presenting it as an almost silent, yet sonically rich, experience.
The piece is described as a series of loosely connected scenes embedded within an acoustic landscape, arranged in a way that evokes feelings of distance, longing, detachment, loss, failure, and connection, hr2-kultur stated.
Why It Matters
Oh’s work represents a growing trend in sound art to explore deeply personal and emotional themes through abstract and evocative soundscapes. By focusing on the intangible – an unwritten letter, absent presence – the piece invites listeners to engage with the subject matter on a visceral and emotional level. This approach distinguishes itself from more traditional narrative forms, offering a unique and potentially powerful experience for the audience. The exploration of mother-child relationships through this medium also adds to a broader artistic conversation about family dynamics and emotional expression.
Broadcast: hr2-kultur, “The Artist’s Corner”, January 17, 2026, 11:00 p.m.
