As a seasoned art enthusiast who has traversed the globe to witness the most captivating exhibitions, I must say that the current lineup in Seoul is nothing short of extraordinary. The city’s vibrant art scene continues to astound me with its eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary perspectives.
During the four-day span of Frieze Seoul, which takes place from September 4 to 7, a variety of groundbreaking and captivating exhibitions are being presented by both galleries and nonprofit organizations throughout the city.
K11 Art Foundation launches an exhibition titled ‘Lunar Water,’ which showcases pieces by artists like Tyler Hobbs, a’strict, and Cheng Ran, in collaboration with Flipster and LG OLED. CR Collective’s ‘Bongnae-san-Formosa Project’ delves into the subject of marginalization through intricate sculptures. Also on display are Kim Sajik’s ‘All Life Comes from the Center of the Circle,’ which blends traditional Korean folklore with modern themes, and Sterling Ruby’s ‘The Flower Cutter Rests on Dust Covered Steps’ at Shinsegae Gallery. Additionally, Oh Suk Kuhn’s ‘Practicality and Prosperity’ can be found at AV Pavilion, offering unique perspectives through abstract lenses. Lastly, the exhibition ‘Platypuses and Unicorns’ delves into human perceptions of non-human beings.
Learn more about these exhibition shows below and be sure to mark them on your calendar.
K11 Art Foundation’s ‘Lunar Water’ Exhibition
K11 Art Foundation kicks off its Frieze Seoul events by hosting the Moon Party, a celebration of Korea’s Moon Festival and the debut of their first generative art exhibition, Lunar Water. This event is backed by Flipster and LG OLED. The exhibit showcases groundbreaking works in generative art by artists such as a’strict, Tyler Hobbs, and Cheng Ran. In particular, Cheng Ran collaborates with Genify and Bohan Sun to transform his film “In Course of the Miraculous” into a generative artwork. Meanwhile, Hobbs presents innovative NFT pieces, while a’strict offers an immersive digital installation titled “Waterfall — Sands”. Adrian Cheng will reveal both the K11 Salon and the K11 Curator Prize during this event. The exhibition runs from September 4 to 7.
Seoul Auction
636-4 Sinsa-dong
Gangnam District, Seoul
South Korea
Na Hyun’s ‘Bongraesan-FORMOSA Project’ at CR Collective
The ‘Bongnae-san-Formosa Project’ by Na Hyun at CR Collective is an artistic investigation delving into folklore surrounding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s search for the elixir of immortality on Bongnae-san, and the plants linked to a legendary island once known as Formosa. This project is based on historical records.
The acronym “CR” in CR Collective is influenced by Ham Seok-heon’s idea of “CR Thought,” which emphasizes individuals on society’s fringes, as well as those with the capacity to initiate significant historical shifts. This collective also borrows from William Morris’s concept of artistic work, pushing for a community that appreciates individuality while striving for fairness—an aspirational, utopian vision of romance. CR Collective has three primary objectives: to nurture and champion up-and-coming artists, to ascribe worth to marginalized groups, and to generate art that seamlessly blends into everyday life.
CR Collective
504-29 Yeonnam-dong,
Mapo-gu, Seoul
South Korea
Kim Sajik’s ‘All life issues forth from the center of the circle’ at The Reference
Through September 22, ‘All Life Comes from the Center of the Circle’ serves as Kim Sajik’s inaugural solo showcase in Korea. Born into a third-generation Korean family residing in Japan, Kim delves into concepts of origin, being, and selfhood using modern narratives rooted in ancient Korean folklore. A standout piece, “STORY”, a collection of stage photography that has also been published, mirrors his journey as a diaspora navigating dualism within Japanese society. The show invites viewers to engage with Kim’s investigation into collective pain and personal identity, fostering unique perspectives on the themes of hybridity and recollection.
The Reference
44 Jahamun-ro 24-gil,
Jongno District, Seoul
South Korea
Sterling Ruby’s ‘The Flower Cutter Rests on Dust Covered Steps’ at Shinsegae Gallery
Shinsegae Gallery Cheongdam is set to present ‘The Flower Cutter Resting on Dust-Covered Steps’, an upcoming solo exhibition by renowned contemporary American artist Sterling Ruby. The show runs until November 30 at Shinsegae Gallery Cheongdam, Seoul, South Korea. Ruby’s latest works, spanning various mediums, are on display, with each piece grounded in material, technique, and historical context. The exhibition is divided among several rooms, with each dedicated to specific projects – from tactile ceramics and emblematic collages, to minimalist aluminum sculptures and dynamic paintings. The title suggests a gardener’s role in fostering growth, decay, and regeneration, as the artworks convey an air of melancholy and the delicate balance between nature and civilization.
Shinsegae Gallery
21 Apgujeong-ro 60-gil
Gangnam District, Seoul
South Korea
Oh Suk Kuhn’s ‘Practicality & Prosperity’ at AV Pavilion
At the Audiovisual Pavilion, ‘Practicality and Wealth’ exhibition runs until September 29, showcasing the dual role of homes as functional living spaces and cultural emblems, mirroring societal norms and historical changes, from external influences to the blending of traditional Korean elements. This is Seok-Kun Oh’s first solo show in Korea in five years, offering insights into Korean housing through the perspectives of ‘practicality’ and ‘prosperity’, based on more than a decade of his studies and observations.
The display focuses on how Korean residents incorporated Japanese-era architectural styles into their homes following liberation, and how age-old concepts of wealth have impacted contemporary housing designs. Oh’s photographs offer a glimpse into the practical solutions Koreans devised in response to historical hardships, as well as the enduring values that underlie these responses. The exhibition offers an understanding of how dwellings serve as repositories of history and the ways of life molded by those historical accounts.
AV Pavilion
38-118 Yongmun-dong
Yongsan District, Seoul
South Korea
‘Platypuses and Unicorns’ at BOAN1942
Up to October 6th at BOAN1942, the exhibition ‘Platypuses and Unicorns’ delves into human views and classifications of non-human beings. The artists question who establishes and transcends the boundaries between species, flora, fauna, and gender.
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: Back in the day, BOAN INN was a popular stopover for travelers for about eighty years. But in 2007, it underwent a transformation, becoming a creative sanctuary for artists instead. Fast forward to 2017, it morphed into BOAN1942, drawing inspiration from its historic patrons. Today, I’m immersed in ARTSPACE BOAN, a vibrant art scene that comprises three unique galleries, showcasing various forms of modern art and nurturing practices that challenge and redefine cultural mainstreams.
BOAN1942
33 Hyoja-ro
Jongno District, Seoul
South Korea
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-03 23:12