Philosophy

OPPOSITES UNITED: ECLIPSE OF PERCEPTIONS

The cultural history of humanity is shaped by the opposition between the observer and the observed. We perceive reality as something objective, shaped by our experiences, yet we are also aware of our role as relentless creators of worlds, crafters of realities.

In modern thought, this relationship between perception and the perceiver is known as dialectics, a process of reasoning that weighs opposing principles, seeking their resolution and transcendence. Thesis, antithesis, and ultimately, synthesis - the most coherent way to describe reality.

Since 2023, Opposites United is a collective hub for dialogue, addressing the most pressing issues of our time through the voices of artists, musicians, scholars, writers, and curators. Year after year, dozens of participants, joined by the public in a shared arena, have shaped principles and synthesized ideas.

The theme of the 2025 edition is Eclipse of Perceptions, a moment of alignment and, at the same time, deep uncertainty. It serves both as a metaphor for the thesis-antithesis process and a cosmic event that has held profound significance across societies.

Just as celestial movements reshape our view of the universe, a lineup of artists, musicians, and thought leaders will engage with Kia’s chosen themes, exploring concepts that may seem distant but ultimately converge, just as light and shadow continuously follow each other. Through this dynamic exchange, guests will redefine the present, shape the future, and strengthen global connections.

This year’s event reflects Kia Design’s commitment to progress through creativity and bold ideas. It embodies a Culture Vanguard, pioneering new narratives that respond to contemporary challenges. Led by Relentless Innovators, who push creative boundaries with skill and vision, and driven by Creative Risk-Takers, who explore the unknown and embrace contradictions, it turns the fear of change into a catalyst for innovation, redefining the future.

METHOD

Questioning what we see as certain or familiar is key to discovering new insights, leading to constant growth and progress. This can only happen within an open, collaborative network built on exchange and reciprocity. By embracing plural relationships beyond time, we build on others’ knowledge to explore new horizons. Within this framework is the process of Opposites United, a sequence of art installations, talks, music sets, and cross-disciplinary narratives conceived as a continuously evolving hub, a collective experimental laboratory of culture.

This method is rooted in the core themes of Kia’s Design Philosophy, bringing together artists, thinkers, and creative talents from all disciplines to emphasize the necessity of confronting complexities and generating answers, visions, and new questions.

Over the past three years, a large international community has participated in Kia Opposites United, engaging in debates, exchanging ideas with the public, and suggesting new themes and invitations to expand the discourse and grow the community. This ongoing dialogue is guided by the three key attitudes defining Kia’s Design Philosophy: Culture Vanguard, Relentless Innovators, and Creative Risk-Takers.

In addition to art installations, the public program, and music lineup, the Symposium—a final debate with the curators of the public program—is a key part of Opposites United’s approach. Each year, a notable past guest leads the discussion, keeping the community’s legacy alive and promoting ongoing, dynamic exchange.