Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul to Open at the 63 Building in 2025 .. and more
Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul to Open at the 63 Building in 2025
France’s renowned contemporary art institution, Centre Pompidou, has confirmed its plan to open a Seoul branch in October 2025. The Centre Pompidou is one of the largest art museums in France, alongside the Louvre and the Orsay. It houses the works of eminent artists representing 20th and 21st-century art history, including giants like Kandinsky, Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso.
The museum will be inaugurated through the renovation of an annex building of the 63 Building, owned by Hanwha, a prominent business conglomerate in South Korea. Hanwha has signed a contract to oversee the operation of the “Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul” for a span of four years. The Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul plans to hold exhibitions twice a year, showcasing representative works of global masters that have not been previously displayed in Korea. Beyond exhibitions, collaborative efforts with the Pompidou will also bring forth diverse cultural programs. Shin Hyun-woo, the CEO of the Hanwha Foundation of Culture, stated, “The establishment of the Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul is a symbol of cultural collaboration between Korea and France. We will strive to make it a successful endeavor.”
Whitestone Gallery to Become the First Japanese Art Gallery to Open Space in Seoul
Japan’s major gallery, Whitestone Gallery, will open its Seoul branch in September. In conjunction with the joint opening of the upcoming Frieze Seoul and Kiaf SEOUL on September 6, Whitestone’s Seoul branch will be located in a building spanning from the basement to the fourth floor across from the former Hilton Hotel in Namsan, Seoul. The black exterior of Whitestone Seoul is inspired by Korea’s Dansaekhwa paintings, with the aim to create a space that blends Korean and Japanese cultures.
Whitestone Gallery currently has branches in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore, and Karuizawa. The Seoul branch will become Whitestone’s seventh Asian location and the first time a Japanese gallery has established a branch in Korea.
For its inaugural exhibition, a group show titled We Love Korea will be held. The exhibition will feature a diverse array of artists, including avant-garde artists from post-war East Asia and emerging artists garnering global attention.
Kohei Shiraishi, the CEO of Whitestone Gallery, expressed the aspiration for Whitestone Seoul to become a place of exchange between Korean and Japanese collectors and artists, serving as a bridge between the two countries.
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Whitestone Gallery, Whitestone Gallery Seoul Opening, 2023.07.20
Combining Design and Art, the 'DEFINE SEOUL' Art Fair is Set to Launch in November
Art Busan, one of the largest art fairs in Korea, announced its decision to open the ‘DEFINE SEOUL’ art fair to integrate design and art. The inaugural DEFINE SEOUL will take place from November 1st to 5th in the Seongsu-dong area in Seoul. The term “DEFINE” is a combination of “Design” and “Fine Art,” encapsulating the idea of defining a new perspective on design.
The first DEFINE SEOUL will revolve around the theme ‘A Look Within Matter’ and will feature a diverse range of Korean and international galleries, designers, and premium brands. The fair will showcase various genres of artistic works, including design furniture that bridges Eastern and Western influences and special editions available only at art fairs.
Seokho Jung, the director of Art Busan, explained, “In a time when Korea is receiving much attention from overseas, we have chosen the event name with the goal of defining Seoul’s prominent design and art, especially at a time when it is garnering international interest.”
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