Define: Seoul to return to city's Seongsu-dong area for second edition

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Define: Seoul to return to city's Seongsu-dong area for second edition

Published: 01 Oct. 2024, 13:44 Updated: 01 Oct. 2024, 15:18

SHIN MIN-HEE
shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr

Interior items by Italy-based design studio Giopato & Coombes [DEFINE: SEOUL]

Define: Seoul returns in its second edition this fall on a bigger scale, aiming to reflect the intrinsic worth of fine art and design.

The annual art fair, created and managed by the organizers of Art Busan, distinguishes itself from its competitors by not only showcasing paintings and sculptures but also crafts, furniture and interior items.

Art Busan is the southeastern port city’s biggest art fair held every year.

Define: Seoul 2024 is set to take place at the SFactory and Y173 venues in Seongsu-dong in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. The first two days are open exclusively to VIPs and the press, while the last three are open to everyone.

Some 40 exhibitors — galleries, design studios and living brands — are participating, which are 14 more than last year. Notable participants are Galerie Zink, Yoomoota, Giopato & Coombes, Whitestone Gallery, Gallery JJ, Cheyul, Peeces and Wooson Gallery.

Define especially included seven art galleries that have spaces in Seongsu-dong, all of which will hold collateral events to expand the scope of the art fair, ultimately creating a “Seongsu Art Week.”

Like last year, the main exhibition will be curated by interior designer Teo Yang, through the theme of “Understanding Simplicity.” Yang was selected as one of the world’s top 100 designers by Architectural Digest and is the founder of the eponymous Teoyang Studio.

Though Yang was absent, Art Busan’s Managing Director Jeong Seok-ho said in a press conference Monday that the exhibition will be a contemplation on the most universal and logical meanings behind each object in a highly materialistic society.

Mountainside-inspired benches, titled ″Jari,″ by Ha Ji-hoon [DEFINE: SEOUL]

Define teased some special events set to be held during the fair’s run. The first is a soundscape exhibition, made in collaboration with the Swiss architectural design studio atelier oi and gugak (traditional Korean music) performer Park Ji-ha. The exhibit will provide an “immersive experience” through sound vibrations and architecture.

Another program is the “Re:form plastic-ground” exhibition, featuring furniture designer Ha Ji-hoon’s take on sustainability. He created 100 colorful soban (traditional Korean table), mountainside-inspired benches and dancheong (traditional Korean decorative coloring on wooden buildings) stools, all made from plastic.

The Art Round mobile app, launched by Art Busan to allow visitors to search for the artworks on sale at Define, will be available to use as well.

“Define: Seoul’s main goal is to find the common ground in fine art and design, rather than creating boundaries between the two,” Jeong said.

Tickets are 30,000 won ($23) for general entry and 100,000 won for the VIP preview, which can be bought on 29CM. A 15 percent early-bird discount is available until Oct. 28. For more information visit defineseoul.com.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]