Centre Pompidou x Hanwha Museum Project Seoul to open in 2025

Facade of the Pompidou Center in Paris, France [HANWHA CORPORATION]

The Pompidou Center, one of the most prominent art museums in France, will open its first Korean outpost in 2025 through a partnership with Hanwha Corporation, a leading retail to construction conglomerate.

Dubbed Centre Pompidou x Hanwha Museum Project Seoul, the satellite will be nestled in Hanwha’s 63 Building skyscraper in Yeouido, western Seoul, occupying four floors as well as underground space.

The agreement between the Pompidou Center and the Hanwha Foundation of Culture will last four years, allowing the latter to operate the venue and display some of the Pompidou’s collections.

At the helm of designing the space is French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, best known for his involvement in projects including the remodeling of the Louvre Museum and Incheon International Airport.

“Hanwha will host special exhibitions biannually featuring masterpieces from the Pompidou Center, and it will pay royalty and consulting fees to the center in return for the exhibits,” Hanwha said in a statement.

The Pompidou outpost will also present art works independent of the Pompidou collection, but that are aligned with the museum’s pursuit of modernity and innovation.

Pompidou President Laurent Le Bon said that Korea is fast building its profile as a new hub in the art industry when explaining the reason for the selection of the location.

“Korea is emerging as the hottest art hub in Asia and its potential only grows as the young generation shows great interest,” the president said.

Extending international reach is also critical for the Pompidou center as the French gallery is expected to shut down for renovations that could last four years starting late 2023. Its latest locations include Shanghai and New Jersey.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]