Curated by Charles Esche, Hou Hanru and Sung Wan Kyung, the theme of the 4th Gwangju Biennale, P_A_U_S_E, was adopted from the Eastern concept of meditation to encourage mankind to withdraw from the rigors of contemporary society and prepare for a new leap forward. The exhibition invited the participation of non-profit and experimental art groups and movements from throughout the world to promote communication, and to propose a withdrawal from the narrative of modern art history, even from modern society itself, in an effort to build a new way forward.

Participants include Urbanism Group Flyingcity, Seoul-Arcade Project, Sungnam Project, Choi Jeong-hwa, Purn Production, Hwanghak-dong Project, Cemeti Art Foundation, Superflex, Bangsar Utama University, Foksal Gallery Foundation, Project 304, Proto Academy, and Plastique Kinetic Worms.