Crafts and home decor feature at design fair
An exhibit from last year’s Seoul Living Design Fair. Provided by the organizers
Opening March 20 at COEX Exhibition Hall, the fair is noted as a lavish shopping opportunity for homeowners and buyers since the event took off in 1994.
It’s still one of those rare industry events that actually leads to sales. More than 50 percent of the event’s 150,000 visitors last year were made up of buyers, marketers and design experts.
Past events at the fair were designed in part to showcase local designers and artists specializing in traditional crafts.
A cabinet by DH International.
With 925 booths this year, the show is hosting a special seminar on revamping the Korean craft industry by focusing on “Onn,” a luxury souvenir brand based in Jeonju, North Jeolla.
Other sections of the fair are centered on marketing themes for industry buyers.
Filling the booths in the Atlantic Hall are “Salon De Living Art,” a special section dedicated to high-end brands in furniture, tableware, lighting and interior items.
The organizers commissioned seven Korean designers to choose their favorite luxury brands and decorate rooms using the company’s merchandise.
In the Pacific Hall, six local designers have put together a show of objects and art furniture using hardwoods imported from the United States.
One of the highlights is an exhibition by Ron Arad and Kengo Kuma, two of the world’s leading designers. They were asked to reinterpret world design trends into a Korean motif in “Empress’ Room.”
Ron Arad’s “Body Guard” chair.
Kuma, one of the top Japanese designers, spread his name with minimalist designs like Nagasaki Prefecture Art Museum and Great Bamboo Wall of Beijing, which stress time and nature as main concepts.
Pierre-Francois, the director of Le Louet, will host a special seminar and lecture on lifestyle trends on March 24.
In “High Luxury,” some designers will present a model house that adds advanced technology to a traditional Korean house.
The Seoul Living Design Fair runs March 20-24 at the COEX exhibition hall. The admission is usually 10,000 won ($10.45) , but 30,000 won on March 20, a day for buyers. For more information, call (02) 2262-7198. Take Samseong subway station, line No. 2, exit 5 or 6.
By Park Soo-mee Staff Reporter [myfeast@joongang.co.kr ]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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