Gangneung International Art Festival 2023 Poster ©Gangneung Museum of ArtThe Gangneung International Art Festival 2023 will run from September 26 to October 29. Exhibitions will be held at six venues: Gangneung Museum of Art, National Center for Forest Therapy, Daegwallyeong, Okcheon-dong Warehouse, Dongbu Market, Dongbu Market Rainbow 233, and Sinyeong Theater. The opening hours and closing days of the spaces vary by location, and a tour bus departs from Gangneung Station every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis.
The theme of the festival, “Seo-Yu-Rok”, is based on the travelogue written by a woman known as ‘Gangneung Kim’, or ‘Lady Kim of Gangneung’, who traveled for 37 days in 1913 from Gangneung to Seoul and back again. Kim travels on foot through the country during a turbulent time and returns from her journey to advocate for the importance of public education for women. The exhibition focuses on the challenging spirit and actions in the text, drawing attention to the sentiments and perspectives that are formed in the city. It also imagines Kim as a guide to the festival, inviting viewers to rethink Gangneung and their ‘homes.’
The exhibition features a variety of artists. Works by HONG Soun, SONG SHIN-KYU, Rosa Barba, Im Hokyoung, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, and Camilla Alberti can be seen at the Gangneung Museum of Art, works by Sunmin Park at Okcheon-dong Warehouse, and works by Woosung Lee, Mackerel Safranski, Jazoo Yang at Dongbu Market. Also, a performance by Tino Sehgal will be presented at the National Center for Forest Therapy, Daegwallyeong, and a video work by Francis Alÿs will be screened at the Sinyeong Theater.
