Where Immortals Sing and Dance, by Hun Chung Lee

MANITOGA: sept 19 – nov 16, 2026

presented in collaboration with R & company

Manitoga / The Russel Wright Design Center is pleased to announce Where Immortals Sing and Dance, works by Korean master designer, ceramicist and sculptor Hun Chung Lee presented in collaboration with R & Company. The installation is concurrent with his solo exhibition HOME in Tribeca. At Manitoga, the installation takes a quiet and observational approach to the domestic environment with sculptural works sited along the Quarry Pool path and within Dragon Rock House and Studio. Lee's methodology and philosophy allows the work to be absorbed into the landscape and architecture rather than asserting itself within it.

On view Sept. 19 through Nov. 16, 2026 with Tour Participation and during special programs and events.

“ The old monk slowly rowed his boat upstream, heading north against the current. The weather was colder than expected, and here and there cherry blossoms were in bloom, their petals gently moistened by the light drizzle that fell intermittently.
After about an hour of rowing across the vast river, he came upon a small valley.

Suddenly, the old monk recalled a story his master had told him long ago—of a place somewhere in the north, beyond a cave, where there lay a small pond and a waterfall. It was said to be a hidden paradise, a “Utopia,” where immortals sang and danced, and where indescribably mysterious moss grew everywhere. There was a small yet beautiful house built by its master, and in its garden, there was always a celebration of art and graceful movement.

Before long, in that valley, he discovered what he had once heard from his master—the waterfall, the pond, moss resting upon rocks long exposed to the elements, and a small house nestled between the crevices of stone. The moss on the roof of the house, dampened by the soft drizzle, seemed to illuminate the cloud-covered land.

The gentle sounds from the waterfall, the quiet presence of the small house, and the walking path around the pond—once strolled by immortals—came together in a harmony that did not seek to boast, where imperfect elements gathered to form a perfect balance.

That place did not remain confined to the legacy of the past; it communicated with the present and offered an abstract realm where the future could be imagined.”

- Hun Chung Lee’s poem inspired by MANITOGA

HUN CHUNG LEE

A master of traditional Korean celadon glazing techniques and formally trained in architecture and ceramic sculpture, Hun Chung Lee uses his work to explore the intersection of fine art and functional design. Materiality and process are paramount in Lee’s practice; he combines industrial materials with organic forms to both soften and highlight the contrasting elements and applies layers of glaze over the span of days to allow for mystery and gradual discovery to guide his process.

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R & COMPANY

For over 20 years, R & Company has championed collectible design, advancing the contemporary marketplace and actively growing a global collector base and clientele. Its founders, Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman, are widely recognized for identifying rising talent, deepening scholarship about collectible design, and developing new avenues for growth in the industry.

The gallery is committed to nurturing and sustaining the markets and careers of both emerging and established designers, as well as to maintaining and expanding commercial and academic interest in historical design. Its roster features a wide range of designers from around the globe, including Wendell Castle, Rogan Gregory, Greta Magnusson Grossman, the Haas Brothers, Serban Ionescu, Hun Chung Lee, Joyce Lin, Roberto Lugo, Richard Marquis, Jolie Ngo, Sayar & Garibeh, Katie Stout, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Jeff Zimmerman, among others. Through its acclaimed exhibitions, publications, and fair presentations, the gallery has become a sought-after leader in the field, fostering relationships with an array of collectors, cultural leaders, dedicated patrons, and scholars.  

In 1990, Meyers co-founded the radical performance collective the B Team. The group including members Evan Snyderman and Jeff Zimmerman redefined the boundaries of glass as a medium by integrating molten glass into live performances that combined elements of craft, fine art, and theater.

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The 2026 Art + Design Residency is made possible through support from the Sara Little Turnbull Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, Manitoga’s Board of Directors, Leadership Council, Design Circle and the 2026 Art + Design Host Committee.