TYPOJANCHI 2011 introduces typefaces and book designs by Korean, Chinese and Japanese artists


A biennale which explores Asian fonts and book designs has been saved at the verge of disappearing into history.

“TYPOJANCHI 2011: Seoul International Typography Biennale” will be held at Seoul Arts Center’s Calligraphy Museum 10 years since the first one in 2001.

Korean Society of Typography was established in 2002 ― it has taken nine years for the biennale to return. The organizers vowed it will take place every two years from now on. 

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by Korea Craft & Design Foundation, Korean Society of Typography and Seoul Arts Center, this year’s theme is “Fire Flower of East Asia.”

“Fire Flower symbolizes the potential energy of East Asia,” said Ahn Sang-soo, chairman of the organizing committee, at a press conference held at KCDF on Monday, pointing out three reasons why the biennale should be held in Seoul.

“Korea was the first country to invent movable metallic type; this year marks the millennial anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana (a Korean collection of Buddhist scriptures carved onto more than 80,000 wooden blocks); and we have Hangeul, which everyone recognizes as scientific and forward thinking,” said Ahn.

Lee Byung-ju, curating director of the biennale, added that it is to meet the needs of the time.

“Korea, China and Japan share the culture of Chinese characters. The Oriental view of the world is rising as an alternative to the Western point of view. The biennale will introduce the potential of East Asia to the world,” said Lee.

The biennale covers “everything about typography” in its broad meaning, from fonts to book designs and films, from Korea, China and Japan. 

The special exhibition will feature works by eight renowned designers including Choi Jung-ho, Korea’s representative Hangeul typeface designer; Lv Jingren, Chinese book designer, illustrator and visual artist who was recommended for the “world’s most beautiful” book award in Germany in 2009; Tanaka Ikko, a Japanese designer who has led the graphic design trend in his country since the 1960s and is famous for the “Man and Writing” series.

The main exhibition offers work by 99 designers who are working in East Asia. It will showcase various genres of publications, from posters and books to media art.

A two-day symposium is planned from Aug. 29, composed of a forum titled “The status and future of East Asian typography,” and presentations of works and philosophies by 14 designers. Several designers will also hold lectures at Kookmin University, Doosung Paper headquarter building, Seoul National University, University of Seoul and Seoul Women’s University during the biennale period.

The biennale will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 at Seoul Arts Center’s Calligraphy Museum in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 3,000 won to 5,000 won. For more information, call (02) 398-7935 or visit www.typojanchi.org.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldcorp.com)