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Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Which exhibition will pique RM's interest?
Korean art world keeps eyes on which exhibitions the celebrity will visit following his military discharge The art circle has been desperate for an opportunity to liven up the mood amid the Korean art market slump, and, at long last, here comes BTS' RM with the star power to create a buzz in the scene. RM, known as an avid art lover, was discharged from mandatory military service on Tuesday, and now many are interested in what his next move may be where the arts are concerned. Before joining the military, he was often spotted at exhibitions across the country. He collected art and donated to a museum. A photo on social media or a rumor of a visit to a certain exhibition often resulted in long lines at the museums and galleries as fans made visits, following their heartthrob. 'When he visited us, he would do so without giving us prior notice. He would quietly come to the gallery to see art when it is not too crowded,' said a gallerist in Seoul, adding that an influencer like RM is unprecedented in the art world. 'No other idol has fans like this — they seem quite serious about art. They do not simply come and take photographs. They purchase brochures and study the artists. It seems his fans consider art a way to get to know the celebrity better — his tastes and thoughts,' he said. The idol singer embarked on an art tour ahead of his discharge, posting a couple of photographs from his visit to Kukje Gallery in Seoul for the exhibition 'Next Painting: As We Are' that features young Korean painters and another show, 'A Faraway Today,' which both kicked off last week. 'He has shown quite a lot of interest in Korean art with in-depth knowledge. People often say there has been no influencer or celebrity who can bring such a big interest to an exhibition like RM. Many people in the art circle have been waiting for his discharge from military service,' said an official from an auction house. 'We do not think that his visits to exhibitions will directly lead to sales, but we expect that his comeback will definitely bring a fresh mood to the art scene that has been in a downturn,' he said. When RM uploaded a photo from the exhibition 'Kwon Jin Kyu Centennial: Angel of Atelier' at the Seoul Museum of Art in 2022, where a 45-centimeter-tall terracotta sculpture 'Horse" RM had collected was on display, the museum saw a huge influx of visitors, many of them RM's fans, according to the city-run museum. 'RM has contributed to the art scene by breaking the perception that art is something difficult and complex for the general audience,' said Han Hee-jean, curator from the Seoul Museum of Art. 'Even during his service in the military, RM visited the museum to see 'Turbulent Times: Women, Life, Art' last year.' Another gallerist in Seoul said that while she acknowledges that RM's influence in the Korean art scene has been huge, she was cautious to place too much anticipation on his activities bringing about a change in the arts sector. 'The art market consists of many layers and has different factors behind it. It would not be proper to say that a single celebrity could lead a revival of the art scene, but it is true that people are curious about what exhibitions he will visit from now on,' the gallerist said.
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul Mediacity Biennale to embrace the mystical in media art
The 13th Seoul Mediacity Biennale, scheduled to kick off on Aug. 26, will bring together 49 artists and collectives under the theme of 'Seance: Technology of Spirit." The term 'seance,' derived from French, refers to an attempt to communicate with spirits. The 13th edition of the biennale, running through Nov. 23 at the Seoul Museum of Art, or SeMA, will be led by Anton Vidokle, artist and founder of e-flux; Hallie Ayres, art historian and curator; and Lukas Brasiskis, curator of video and film at e-flux. The biennale will explore the influence of mystical and spiritual experience on the development of modern and contemporary art. 'It's very significant that many artists have in recent years gravitated towards ways of understanding the world that might offer an alternative to the prevailing systems, which seem at present to be in crisis,' said the curators. Starting with the artistic practice of British artist Georgiana Houghton (1814-1884), who achieved her first mediumistic drawings after attending her first seance in 1859, the exhibition will encompass the influence of shamanism on video art founder Paik Nam-june and German Fluxus artist Joseph Beuys, as well as transcendental experiences depicted in the early experimental films of American artists Maya Deren and Jordan Belson. The biennale will also feature works by contemporary artists engaged with the diverse traditions and themes of the occult, enchantment and magic. The Seoul Mediacity Biennale, launched in 2000 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, has earned international recognition for its experimental engagement with contemporaneous changes within the media landscape of the city, redefining what media is and can be.
Korea Herald
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Photography Seoul Museum of Art opens in nothern Seoul
PhotoSeMA, directed by Seoul Museum of Art, is Seoul's first public museum dedicated to photography Seoul's first public museum solely dedicated to photographic media opened Friday in Dobong-gu Seoul, creating an art cluster in the northern part of the capital where Buk-Seoul Museum of Art is located. The Photography Seoul Museum of Art, spanning four floors above ground and two below, holds more than 20,000 works of photographic art and archival materials, according to the museum. 'By exploring photography as one of the most accessible yet critically positioned mediums in both the history of art and contemporary practice, we aim to establish this institution as Korea's leading museum of photography and a prominent presence in Asia and beyond,' said Choi Eun-ju, general director of Seoul Museum of Art. The museum opened with two inaugural exhibitions: 'The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography' and 'Storage Story.' Both run through Oct. 12. 'The Radiance" sheds light on five pivotal artists in Korea's photography history: Jung Hae-chang, Lim Seuk-je, Lee Hyung-rok, Cho Hyun-du and Park Young-sook. Based on the newly opened museum's collection, the exhibition walks visitors through the history of photography as an art medium from its introduction in the 1920s to the late 20th century. 'Storage Story' shows new works by six contemporary artists — Seo Dong-sin, Won Seoung-won, Jung Ji-hyun, Joo Yong-seong, Oh Joo-young and Chung Mel-mel — that explore the museum's architecture and spatial design, archival practices, and the notions of memory and place. Collectively, they reimagine the museum not merely as a site of display, but as a space of creation, preservation and reflection. The building, inspired by a camera aperture as it opens and closes, was designed by Austrian architect Mladen Jadric and Korean architect Yoon Geun-ju. The Seoul Museum of Art operates as a network of museums across Seoul with eight branches including Seosomun main branch, Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, Art Archives, Photography Seoul Museum of Art and Seo-Seoul Museum of Art, which opens laterthis year.
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Abu Dhabi, Seoul collaboration brings discussion on contemporary art to Manarat Al Saadiyat
Coinciding with the exhibition 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits' — the largest presentation of Korean contemporary art in the Gulf Cooperation Council region — public programs and panel discussion are scheduled to be held at the Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition spanning six decades of Korean contemporary art kicked off Friday as a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Seoul Museum of Art, as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025. 'The Abu Dhabi Festival is a beacon for consolidating the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening cooperation and partnerships with friendly nations,' said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs as well as a founding honorary patron of the Abu Dhabi Festival. 'In this regard, and based on the importance of its role in building bridges of cultural dialogue between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea, this exceptional exhibition embodies the advanced and prosperous strategic relations between the UAE and the friendly Republic of Korea,' he added, using the formal name of South Korea. The public program 'Layered Dialogues' takes place May 29, June 14 and 20. The upcoming program on May 29 is a panel discussion with the theme of 'Body as Medium InterFaces: Skin/Screen,' held in collaboration with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. 'Featuring 48 exceptional works by pioneering South Korean artists, accompanied by an interactive community program open to all, this first-ever exhibition in the Middle East of the Seoul Museum of Art's collection at Manarat Al Saadiyat offers a unique opportunity to introduce local and regional audiences to the masterpieces of modern art,' said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of tolerance and coexistence as well as a patron of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation. Co-curated by UK-based independent curator Maya El Khalil and Yeo Kyung-hwan of the Seoul Museum of Art, "Layered Medium" traces key moments in Korea's contemporary art history, beginning with the radical experimentation of the 1960s and 1970s, when artists began working with video, photography and performance. 'Through our historic partnership with the world-renowned Seoul Museum of Art, we are setting a precedent for international institutional partnerships — thanks to the strength and depth of our shared ties. This is the first exhibition of the museum's collections outside of Korea, and the first exhibition of this magnitude of Korean art in the Arab world,' said Huda Alkhamis, founder of both the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Abu Dhabi Festival. "Layered Medium" is presented as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, with the support of the festival's principal partners — Mubadala Investment Company and G42 — and its energy partner, GS Energy.
Al Etihad
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Nahyan bin Mubarak inaugurates ‘Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits' exhibition
18 May 2025 17:48 ABU DHABI (WAM)Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Patron of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) inaugurated 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits – Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today,' on May 15 at Manarat Al attendance were Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Jae Song-yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE; Choi Sook-ma, Deputy Mayor for Cultural Affairs at the Seoul Metropolitan Government; Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy; Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre; Sheikha Noor Fahem Al Qassimi, Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation; and Mohamed Abdul Latif Kanoo, Member of the Foundation's Advisory Board, and a number of dignitaries and prominent figures from the cultural and artistic exhibition, which marks the first large-scale showcase of contemporary Korean art in the Middle East and running until June 30, of a major three-year partnership, this unprecedented initiative represents a strategic institutional collaboration between ADMAF Foundation and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA).The exhibition represents a shared cultural vision aimed at establishing Abu Dhabi as a global platform for cultural exchange and dialogue between civilisations. Spanning six decades, the exhibition traces the evolution of contemporary Korean art, revealing how artists have responded to the country's profound social and technological transformations through works that span diverse mediums, offering a dynamic and ever-evolving artistic Nahyan bin Mubarak stated during the inauguration of the Seoul Museum of Art's exhibition in Abu Dhabi, 'Hosting this exhibition in Abu Dhabi reaffirms the depth of cultural relations between the UAE and the Republic of South Korea. It embodies the vision of our wise leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in strengthening soft power and cultural diplomacy efforts, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a leading global hub for civilisational dialogue and knowledge exchange. This is achieved through building partnerships, signing memoranda of understanding with leading cultural institutions, and launching innovative initiatives in music, performing arts, and visual arts.'He added, 'Featuring 48 exceptional works by pioneering South Korean artists, accompanied by an interactive community program open to all, this first-ever exhibition in the Middle East of the Seoul Museum of Art's collection at Manarat Al Saadiyat offers a unique opportunity to introduce local and regional audiences to the masterpieces of modern art. It presents a rich historical journey spanning from the 1960s to today—showcasing works that reflect deep human and cultural connection, while stimulating meaningful conversations around identity, society, and the increasing role of technology in shaping contemporary life. This initiative continues our unwavering commitment to raising cultural and artistic awareness, promoting values of tolerance, coexistence, and openness to world cultures—paving the way for a more creative, diverse, and enriched future.'Huda Alkhamis, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, said, 'The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) exhibition, held for the first time in the Middle East, is proof that culture complements the path of diplomacy, opens doors, transcends all borders, and touches hearts, like a hymn or a poem. Embracing values and connecting cultures, the exhibition transforms differences into creative exchange in a diverse world. The most beautiful aspect of it is the experience, with its depth and integrated cultural dimensions.'He continued, 'Through our historic partnership with the world-renowned Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) we are setting a precedent for international institutional partnerships - thanks to the strength and depth of our shared ties. This is the first exhibition of the museum's collections outside of Korea, and the first exhibition of this magnitude of Korean art in the Arab world. All of this is a living entity that is growing and developing, with the creative energy of the creative communities in Abu Dhabi, Korea and the world. This is a meeting of thought, innovation, and new opportunities with creativity that illuminates the future from Manarat Al Saadiyat and in the UAE's Year of the Community, from Abu Dhabi - A World of Harmony.'Eunju Choi, General Director of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) said, 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits marks the most extensive presentation of Contemporary Korean Art to date in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Featuring 48 works by 29 Korean artists, including seminal pieces from the Seoul Museum of Art's collection, the exhibition offers a compelling overview of current practices in Korean contemporary exhibition includes Nam June Paik's Self-Portrait Dharma Wheel (1998), and Ayoung Kim's Delivery Dancer's Sphere (2022), which together trace both the legacy and the future directions of Korean Media Art. Audiences in the GCC will have a unique opportunity to engage with the historical context, distinct characteristics, and future possibilities of Contemporary Korean Art."She added, 'In December, SeMA will continue this cultural dialogue by presenting Intense Proximities, an exhibition introducing contemporary art from the United Arab Emirates, at the Seosomun Main Branch of SeMA. We believe these exhibitions will not only foster greater understanding between our respective art communities, but also contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on contemporary art.'The exhibition is presented as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, with the support of the Festival's principal partners—Mubadala Investment Company and G42—and its energy partner, GS by SeMA curator Kyung-hwan Yeo and curator Maya El Khalil, 'Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits,' presents works from SeMA's collection of contemporary art for the first time in the UAE. Tracing the evolution of Korea's unique avant-garde contemporary art scene, the exhibition follows the media-driven expansions and connections evident in representative works by key Korean contemporary artists from the past sixty addresses how artists have responded to the dramatic social and technological changes in Korea through the amalgamation of media, highlighting artworks moving through layered, intersecting mediums, shifting from the intimate to the global, with perspectives on the past, present and on Nam June Paik's prescient 1966 statement 'We Are in Open Circuits,' which anticipated our hyper-connected contemporary world, the exhibition explores how art operates as a system of communication, exploring connections from our most intimate sensory experiences to mediations of the larger systems and structures that shape our urban, social and cultural the exhibition in the cultural context of Abu Dhabi imbues the works with new layers of meaning, particularly in a region which shares experiences of globalisation and rapid the exhibition is the first large-scale showcase of SeMA's collection beyond Korea and serves as an important platform to introduce Korea's artistic heritage to new audiences, expanding the reach of the museum exhibition will be accompanied by 'Layered Dialogues,' a publication featuring texts by UAE-based writers, deepening the cultural exchange between Korea and the spatial design by Formafantasma reinforced the exhibition's conceptual framework through material storytelling and architectural sensitivity. A dynamic public programme of panel talks, screenings, and performances further enriched the visitor addition, a series of panel discussions and artist film screenings will form part of the wider public programme, with full details to be shared online in due exhibition forms part of a long-term partnership between ADMAF and SeMA, aimed at fostering cultural dialogue between the UAE and South Korea. Following its Abu Dhabi debut, a second co-curated exhibition, Intense Proximities, will open at SeMA in Seoul in December 2025, premiering the work of three generations of UAE-based artists. Year of Community Continue full coverage
