Organizers of the 2013 Seoul International Typography Biennale said the focus of the event will be the role of typefaces as inspiration for active writing, as the event will serve as a channel to shed light on different characters from the West and the East.

“The Seoul International Typography Biennale is the sole typography event in the world. And as a country with its own alphabet, it is our responsibility to let others recognize the importance of letters and typefaces,” Ahn Sang-soo, one of the event organizers and a design professor at Hongik University, said at a news conference introducing the event’s theme last week. 

As the 2011 biennale dealt with the design aspect introducing typefaces and book designs by Korean, Chinese and Japanese artists, next year’s biennale aims to focus on broader roles of typography in languages and literature under the theme of “Hyper-Active Literature.”

“Today, many typographic designers are claiming the roles of researcher, writer, editor and publisher, contributing to what might be called ‘hyperactive literature,’” the biennale director Choi Sung-min, who is also design professor of University of Seoul.

“The event will not list different typefaces and designs, but rather stimulate viewers’ curiosity and invite them to collaborate and study with participating artists,” said Choi.

The organizers held a pre-promotion event last week to introduce the role of typography to the public and promote next year’s biennale event.

Renowned designers such as Japanese designer Kenya Hara, English graphic designer Neville Brody and Guangdong Art Gallery director Wang Xu gave lectures to the public.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)