Journey through decades of crafts, designs at Korea Craft & Design Foundation Gallery
KCDF marks 25th anniversary with an exhibition entitled 'The Obvious Journey, 25 years'
Marking the 25th anniversary of its establishment, the Korea Craft and Design Foundation is hosting an exhibition titled "The Obvious Journey, 25 years," showcasing the organization's decades-long work in crafts and design.
Allowing visitors to walk down memory lane, the exhibition will highlight the KCDF's 25-year journey through four themes.
The first zone, "Laying the Foundation for Everyday Culture," explores the evolution of Korean crafts, traditional culture, hanbok and public design. The second section, "Preparing for the Future," presents the KCDF's initiatives in nurturing talent and global expansion.
The third theme, "Embracing Everyday Aesthetics," delves into past exhibitions and festivals organized by the KCDF. Artworks of the winners of the KCDF's "Craft Prize," which acknowledges individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of Korean crafts since 2018, will also be on display.
The fourth zone, "Spreading Korean Aesthetics," sheds light on the KCDF's work to promote Korean aesthetics to the global audience.
The exhibition will run from Tuesday until April 20 at the KCDF Gallery in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. It is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day except Mondays. Admissions are free of charge. For more information, visit the KCDF's official website.
An archive book will also be published, featuring expert insights on Korea's achievements in craft, design and traditional culture, along with the future direction of KCDF.
The KCDF said the exhibition serves as a "valuable opportunity" to look back on the institution's past achievements and take the time to plan for its future growth and possibilities, adding that it will expand cultural and artistic initiatives in the future by collaborating with more artists.
Meanwhile, the KCDF, a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism, was launched in April 2000 with the aim to promote Korea's craft, design, and hanbok, as well as provide opportunities for young artists.
In November 2006, the institution established the KCDF Gallery in Insa-dong, an old Seoul neighborhood known for its alleys of craft galleries and art shops, and opened a multi-disciplinary cultural space named the Culture Station Seoul 284 in August 2011. Eight years later, the KCDF was designated as the specialized institution for promoting public design.
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