[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Jae-seok muses on power dynamics, natural forces and more

The world functions in dynamics of power and hierarchy. Although such power is sensed from time to time, it is hard to recognize sometimes. That power could be religion, natural forces or something else, artist Lee Jae-seok muses. Most of Lee's works were inspired by his experience during his mandatory military service from 2010 to 2012 that lasted for a year and 10 months. “I was 22 years old when I entered the military service. My experience at the military, which is based on a st

Sept. 4, 2023

Leading international galleries, auction house unveil spaces, shows in Seoul ahead of Frieze Seoul 2023

Renowned international galleries and an auction house, Sotheby’s, have opened new spaces in Seoul ahead of the second edition of Frieze Seoul which kicks off Wednesday. Two newly arrived galleries -- Britain's White Cube and Japan’s Whitestone Gallery -- will unveil their spaces through group exhibitions in southern and northern Seoul, respectively. White Cube will open an inaugural exhibition, “The Embodied Spirit,” directed by the gallery’s global artistic di

Sept. 4, 2023

Art-inspired runways set to spice up 24SS Seoul Fashion Week

Seoul Fashion Week kicks off Tuesday for a five day-run with thirty Korean designers presenting their 2024 spring-summer collections on the runways of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and 94 local fashion brands participating in the fashion week trade show. Held twice a year, the upcoming edition of Seoul Fashion Week, now in its 22nd year, will include Seoul Collection (SC) shows from 22 top designers, Generation Next (GN) shows for eight up-and-coming designers, and a show by Metrocity, a corporate

Sept. 4, 2023

[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Jin-ju brings images from the deep abyss

People go through numerous experiences in life. Some will be forgotten naturally, but some, whether pleasant or not, remain in the abyss of the unconscious. Some memories are so strong they dominate one’s life. Lee Jin-ju recalled an unpleasant incident from her childhood and called it “trauma” – she did not know as a little kid that the memory would stick around for so long. “I did not think of it as a big deal at the time. But the unpleasant memory has lingered, p

Sept. 4, 2023

[Space for All] Korea's public architecture at turning point

Living in urban Korea, just stepping outside brings into view a plethora of buildings. But the average person here most likely doesn't give much thought to what kinds of spaces were created for the public and how they actually affect people's lives. These public spaces can include: a school, where 12 years of one's life are spent, a rest area by a river or stream, an observatory, a multipurpose facility under an expressway, a swimming pool popular with the elderly or a museum buil

Sept. 2, 2023

[Photo News] "Love is in the Bin"

Sept. 1, 2023

[Space for All] Jongam Square fills niche, fulfills community role

With more than 9.4 million people living in the capital city sprawling 605 square kilometers, Seoul is one of the most crowded cities in the world. It boasts a population density of some 15,567 people per square kilometer. New York City, by comparison, has a population density of about 11,313 people per square kilometer. It comes as no surprise that in Seoul, where space is scarce, we build not only above ground and underground, but over and under existing structures as well. We also cover strea

Aug. 30, 2023

[Space for All] Singil Middle School proves school design needn't be stuck

Sunlight streams into the school library from a small courtyard where students can sit outside with a book during breaks. The courtyard is among 19 such spaces in Singil Middle School, which opened two years ago in southwestern Seoul. As soon as the bell rang indicating a 15-minute recess, students headed to the courtyard on the second floor, where a snack vendor market sold drinks, chips and other small snacks. Other students got started on homework in another courtyard, while taking in the fre

Aug. 30, 2023

[Space for All] Unobtrusive observatory allows the surroundings to shine

CHUNCHEON, Gangwon Province -- Approaching the observatory located across the street from the statue of the Maiden of Soyanggang on the Soyang River, one is struck by its height. The four-story structure is 20.4 meters tall. If you had come expecting something taller – you would not have been wrong to expect something of a greater height since observatories are typically tall structures or situated at some height – you might wonder if you were at the right place. Completed in March 2

Aug. 29, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] African architect Diébédo Francis Kéré values communal approach in architecture

When it comes to building a public space, the Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Diébédo Francis Kéré does not consider people as “passive receivers,” but as owners of the building. “In public buildings in Africa, it is often the case that no one feels responsible for the building. Things are broken, and no one takes (the time) to fix it. You have the feeling it’s owned by the government -- but who is the government? It will be different if peo

Aug. 27, 2023

Exhibition by Yeol highlights craft of ox horn inlay and porcelain works

An exhibition that highlights the art of dedicated craft through porcelain and ox horn inlay artwork is set to take place at Yeol Bukchonga in Anguk-dong, central Seoul until Sept. 23, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society -- also known as Yeol -- announced Thursday during a press conference held in the exhibition space. Dubbed "Woobomanri: An Enduring Walk Towards Purity," the exhibition celebrates the stewardship of traditional craftsmen and artists in pursuit of aesthetics and

Aug. 26, 2023

[Space for All] Pavilion of Floating Lights enriches cultural heritage in Jinju

The 190-kilometer Nam River weaves through Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, carrying with it the history of the city. Behind stone walls, the city's riverside fortress, Jinjuseong, was once used as a military base against Japanese invaders in the late Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) and during the Joseon era (1392-1910). On a cliff above the river sits the Chokseongnu Pavilion, which was built in 1241 and is part of Jinjuseong Forest. The wooden architecture, featuring six timber columns at the

Aug. 24, 2023

[Space for All] Yeongju Swimming Pool refreshes rapidly aging town

When Yeongju Swimming Pool opened in 2018, a 74-year-old resident surnamed Kim was so relieved that she could finally swim at a quality facility. “For an older person like myself, swimming is good exercise. This facility is very pleasant and cheap to learn swimming. There is a private swimming facility where I used to go, but it is old and worn out,” Kim said on May 31. Kim has lived in the North Gyeongsang Province city with some 100,000 residents since 1974 after getting married.

Aug. 22, 2023

[Space for All] Seosomun Shrine History Museum revives dead place, invites all

Architecture brings life to a deserted place. And in the case of the 21,000-square-meter park in Seodaemun-gu, northwestern Seoul, it rejuvenated one that had been neglected. The public park had been taken over by homeless people, who drifted in day and night from Seoul Station, about 10 minutes' walk away, until it was remodeled and Seosomun Shrine History Museum was built in the underground space there in 2019. Other people had avoided the park, created in 1973, because of the atmosph

Aug. 21, 2023

Chang Uc-chin's rare 'Family' painting returns from Japan after 60 years

A painting by renowned Korean artist Chang Uc-chin (1917-1990) titled "Family" has returned to South Korea 60 years after Japanese collector Shiozawa Sadao bought it in 1964 at Chang's first solo exhibition in Seoul. The painting, the first piece the artist sold, is known to have been cherished by the artist, who placed the painting by his bedside. With the money he earned by selling the painting, he bought a violin for his daughter. The whereabouts of the painting had been unknow

Aug. 18, 2023

Buoyed by government support, Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul confident of successful second collaboration

The second collaboration between Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will bring together some 330 galleries from around the world in early September at Ceox, a convention center in southern Seoul, with the festive atmosphere in the city boosted by the city government's support. “Kiaf Seoul will be supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government this year. We had transportation issues for foreigners during the two fairs (Kiaf Seoul and Frieze Seoul) last year, which is expected to be resolved w

Aug. 17, 2023

Hemyeong Kim to present solo show at London's Bonhams

Hemyeong Kim will have a solo exhibition under the title “Hemyeong” at British Auctioneer Bonhams’ headquarters in Mayfair, central London, from Oct. 7 to 13, becoming the first Korean artist to present a solo exhibition at one of the world’s oldest auctioneers. The exhibition will coincide with the Frieze London global art fair from Oct. 11 to 15 in Regent’s Park. Kim’s exhibition at Bonhams’ will feature her “Constellation Links” series, ac

Aug. 15, 2023

British gallery White Cube to kick off inaugural Seoul show in September

White Cube, a leading contemporary gallery, will put up its inaugural show in Seoul, “The Embodied Spirit,” on Sept. 5, coinciding with the upcoming Frieze Seoul and introducing seven artists across the world, including South Korea's own Lee Jin-ju. The gallery will also unveil its space in Seoul with the first exhibition in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. The gallery, its second permanent space in Asia following one in Hong Kong, is located in the first floor of an encased buildi

Aug. 13, 2023

Korean Antique Association chief under investigation for alleged illegal shipping of artifacts to Australia

Yang Eui-sook, chief of the Korean Antique Association, is under police investigation for allegedly violating the cultural properties protection law, transferring some 20 artifacts to an Australian art museum in mid-2022 without permission from the Cultural Heritage Administration. The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed to The Korea Herald Thursday that police raided Yang’s gallery in Seoul last week. “We raided the gallery to collect documents related to Yang’s sen

Aug. 10, 2023

Art Busan secures first round of investment to expand in Seoul

Art Busan has secured the first round of investment ahead of the inaugural launch of its new art fair in Seoul, Define Seoul, in November, after running the art fair in Busan for more than a decade. Art Busan, launched in 2011, has grown into a leading art fair in South Korea, fostering the art scene in the port city with art lovers flocking there every year. The organizer’s expansion into Seoul this year aims to cement its foundation to move forward and grow as a global art market. Whil

Aug. 9, 2023