The Journey of a Giant Jaguar: Sculpture by Artist Chris Bleicher Makes Its Way to 10th Annual Geoje International Art Festival in South Korea

Chris Bleicher is one of the most famous artists presently living and working in Germany. Renowned for her neon-fused visual arts and memorable performances, Chris’ creations and artistic practices were well ahead of the times when she first emerged on the European art scene in the 1980s and 1990s. In the years since, Chris’ work has risen to prominence and her award-winning creations have been exhibited all over the globe. With a diverse and eclectic artistic repertoire encompassing themes such as exoticism, eroticism, ecology, experimentalism and humor, Chris’ art is ultimately deeply-rooted in a commitment to the environment. Indeed, most of her work explores the interface between nature and technology whilst advocating for the preservation of planet Earth through artistic expression.

Among the locations to find Chris’ work is the Haegeumgang Theme Museum in Geoje, South Korea. In honor of the museum’s 10th Annual Geoje International Art Festival, Chris decided to donate one of her most iconic pieces — a giant mixed-media jaguar — to the location…and its journey from Europe to Asia turned into quite a memorable ordeal.

“The Giant Jaguar” was created in 1995. Chris crafted the 3.20 meter high figure (which is approximately ten feet tall) via an action with the Munich Office for Waste Management. The piece enjoyed its public debut in front of the the Gasteig Cultural Center in Munich, Germany, with a message promoting waste/plastic avoidance, recycling and sustainability.

“Numerous companies and dear people supported the construction of the Giant Jaguar,” artist Chris Bleicher stated, “so it thus contains a concentrated power of positive energy.”

The Giant Jaguar was designed with a door on its belly. During its initial unveiling, a performer — dressed as Venus in the style of Marilyn Monroe — emerged. The performance event was dubbed “The Night of Venus in the Jaguar” and it made quite an impression on the audience! After the Munich exhibition ended, the sculpture was displayed in the administration office of the Munich Zoo’s director Professor Dr. Henning Wiesner. There it remained for nearly thirty years until May of 2024 when it was gifted to the Haegeumgang Theme Museum.

“The Giant Jaguar embarked on his most adventurous journey around half the world from Munich, Germany, to Geoje, South Korea,” Chris Bleicher explained. “The figure can be disassembled for transportation purposes. It can be separated into torso, head, tail and four paws.”

The Giant Jaguar traveled with several pieces of Chris’ neon art. Together, these pieces will comprise the works in her five-month-long South Korean solo show titled “Come, Fly With Me!” Four large wooden crates made the long journey, which was originally supposed to have involved a journey across the Red Sea. However, the ship departed from Hamburg four days late. After a sea voyage of over two months along the west coast of Africa — passed the Cape of Good Hope, through the Indian Ocean, and finally to the southern tip of the Korean peninsula — the Giant Jaguar and its neon traveling companions arrived safely at the esteemed Haegeumgang Theme Museum in Geoje, South Korea. The Giant Jaguar subsequently stood as the centerpiece of the 10th Annual Geoje International Art Festival which was titled “Language of Coexistence, Art.”

Chris is very grateful to two museum directors — Cheon Eob YU from the Haegeumgang Theme Museum and Kyung Myung JA from the Yukyung Art Museum — who made the Giant Jaguar’s adventure trip possible and subsequently gave the artwork a nice home. In addition to her role as an ambassador for culture and art for Germany, Chris Bleicher’s artistic career is characterized by innovation and excellence. Her neon installations and works of art are valued internationally by companies, museums and private collectors — but her participation in the Geoje International Art Festival is a special source of pride.

“Art has the power to transcend boundaries and spark meaningful conversations,” Chris exclaimed. “I am honored to be a part of the 10th Geoje International Art Festival and look forward to experiencing the diverse artistic expressions that will be presented.”

To learn more about the art of Chris Bleicher, visit her official website.