2019.9.30 Museums & Galleries
Published: 29 Sep. 2019, 17:51
Gallery Hyundai, Jongno District
Through Oct. 6: Walk into the visual magic of U.S. sculptor Fred Sandback (1943-2003), where the whole room is divided into paths and geometric shapes with nothing but thin string easily bought at nearby marketplaces.
Sandback called himself a sculptor not because his works are simple installations - if string counts as installations anyway - but because he sculpted the space which his works are displayed in, suggesting a new relationship between artwork and the space it sits in, with an idea he called “situational context.”
When walking into the gallery, visitors will first be confronted by “Untitled (Sculptural Study, Six-part Right-angled Construction)” (1976/2013).
Visitors are encouraged to walk around and in and out of the work to fully appreciate how it changes and how the room changes according to the different angles they see it from.
Admission is free. Get off at Anguk station, line No. 3, exit 1, and walk 10 minutes.
(02) 2287-3500, galleryhyundai.com
Keumsan Gallery, Jung District
Through Oct. 12: In celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Korea, Swedish artist Torsten Jurell is holding his first solo exhibition in Korea. “Actors” showcases the creative ceramic works of the artist, who is active in China.
Many of the sculptures are formed like puppets or “actors” that are featured in colorful costumes and makeup. Also reminiscent of ancient Roman busts, Jurell’s works have previously been featured in museums in Sweden and China. Items are available for purchase.
Entry is free. Go to Myeongdong Station, Line No. 4, exit 4, and walk for 5 minutes.
(02) 3789-6317, keumsan.org
SEONG: FANTASTIC CITY
Suwon IPark Museum of Art, Suwon, Gyeonggi
Through Nov. 3: This exhibition celebrates King Jeongjo (1752-1800), who has served as inspiration for countless Korean films and books with his progressive social reforms and landmark projects like the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The show features ten contemporary artists’ brand new paintings, installations and video works inspired by Jeongjo and the Hwaseong Fortress, including paintings by Min Joung-ki, the artist behind the famous “Mount Bukhan” painting featured during last year’s historic inter-Korean summit.
The museum chose to present the show in the style of a royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), dimming the lights to create a solemn yet mystical aura. Exhibition spaces are divided to correspond with actual sections that make up the tomb.
Tickets are priced at 4,000 won ($3.36) for adults. The museum is closed on Mondays. Go to Suwon Station, line No. 1, exit 9, and take bus 11, 13, 16, 35 or 46 to get off at the Hwaseong Temporal Palace stop.
(031) 228-3800, sima.suwon.go.kr
YOUTH BEFORE AGE
Coreana Museum of Art, Gangnam District
Through Nov. 9: Cosmetics company-run Coreana Museum of Art is bringing together works on the topics of youth, ageing and generations by artists from different walks of life.
On show are 20 video, photography and installation works by 13 Korean and international artists and teams including well-known feminist artists like Martha Wilson and Sanja Ivekovi?.
A roller skate rink within the museum is intended to help visitors feel their youngest and think back to the days of their youth.
Tickets are 4,000 won for adults and free for visitors over 65 and under seven. The museum is closed on Sundays. Go to Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 3, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 547-9177, spacec.co.kr
JAIME HAYON: SERIOUS FUN
Daelim Museum, Jongno District
Through Nov. 17: Daelim Museum has transformed its gallery space into a luxurious fun house that presents the colorful world of Hayon’s imagination.
The exhibition is divided into seven thematic zones that highlight the different creative interests of the Spanish artist. One room is dedicated to displaying Hayon’s fine crystal vases, while another hosts human-sized, hand-painted chess pieces from “The Tournament” (2009), an installation Hayon previously displayed at Trafalgar Square in London.
The entry fee is 10,000 won, but 3,000 won for students. The museum is closed on Mondays. Go to Gyeongbokgung Station, line No. 3, exit 3, and walk for three minutes.
(02) 720-0667, daelimmuseum.org
Amorepacific Museum of Art, Yongsan District
Through Dec. 29: The exhibition - Kruger’s first solo show in Asia - features the artist’s works dating back to the 1980s as well as her more recent installation and video works.
On display are Kruger’s original “paste ups,” or bolded texts about consumerism, power and sexuality laid over photographs, as well as “Untited (Forever)” (2017), a black and white room covered in excerpts from literary classics like “1984.”
The exhibition also showcases two large text-based works in hangul, the Korean alphabet, that the artist is presenting for the first time.
Admission is 13,000 won for adults and 9,000 won for students. Go to Sinyongsan Station, line No. 4, exit 1.
(02) 6040-2345, apma.amorepacific.com
MMCA Seoul, Jongno District
To Jan. 27: Soungui Kim, born 1946 in Korea, is a French-based artist.
The title “Lazy Clouds” has been taken from a poem she wrote in 1998, which defies the capitalist norm that laziness is bad - saying it’s actually the symbol of prudence - as she does with other works by taking the social convention and questioning its validity.
Be prepared to be faced with 200 works that stretch across all mediums - paintings, videos, photos, installation, sculpture, calligraphy, poetry, a live performance and even a robot.
The retrospective is the biggest held in Korea so far, shedding light on how Kim has been actively shaping the art world with her experimental thoughts and rebellious ideas.
On display are some of her best works, such as “Stock Exchange” (2005), owned by the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), as well as her poem written on stones “Poem 87 - When the butterfly comes” (1987) and “Younghee” (2019) the robot.
Admission is 4,000 won for adults. It covers other exhibitions at the MMCA Seoul. Go to Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 3701-9500, mmca.go.kr
Kumho Museum of Art, Jongno District
Through Feb. 2: To celebrate 100 years of Bauhaus, the Kumho Museum of Art is transforming its entire gallery to showcase works new and old influenced by the German-based art movement.
On display are 120 chairs, tables and smaller objects like napkin holders and teapots created by key Bauhaus figures and contemporary designers. Works include rare original creations by the Bauhaus school’s directors Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from the early 20th century.
Also on display is the “Bauhaus News Archive,” a comprehensive summary of all publications, newspaper articles and exhibitions in Korea on the topic. QR codes are available for each article so visitors can read them online.
Admission is 7,000 won for adults. Get off at Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 720-5114, kumhomuseum.com
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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