Exhibition view of Sea Art Festival 2021, Busan. ⓒ Busan Biennale Organizing Committee.In the second half of 2023, the Korean art scene is expected to become vibrant with various events. Notably, the country’s most significant art market will return to COEX. Frieze Seoul and Kiaf SEOUL, which created a buzz in the art scene when they were first held last year, will open their second joint art fair this year, starting on September 6 through September 10.
However, it is not just the art market that is bustling. While the Gwangju Biennale and Busan Biennale are among the most renowned events representing Korea, there are numerous distinctive biennales that focus intensively on various mediums and themes. In the latter half of this year, Busan’s Sea Art Festival, centered around the theme of the sea, will also take place.
Installation view: Lee Seung soo, 'Where Should We Go,' Sea Art Festival 2019, Busan. ⓒ Busan Biennale Organizing Committee.If you are looking to enjoy an art exhibition by the seaside, Busan’s Sea Art Festival is a must-visit. Hosted by the City of Busan and the Busan Biennale Organizing Committee, the event takes place at Ilgwang Beach in Busan.
The theme of this year’s exhibition is Flickering Shores, Sea Imaginaries, and it is directed by Irini Papadimitriou, a curator based in Greece. The exhibition features the works of approximately 30 Korean and international artists.
The term “Flickering Shores” refers to the delicate vulnerability and beauty reflected in the water. At the same time, it signifies the dangerous situation of the sea that flickers irregularly like warning lights due to numerous issues such as cruise tourism, wind power generation, deep-sea mining, overfishing, nuclear testing, rising sea levels, and pollution. While the sea has provided us with valuable resources, it has also been exploited by humans in various ways.
This complex relationship between the sea and humans calls for reevaluation. Consequently, “Sea Imaginaries” endeavors to explore shared values and contemplate alternative futures and visions that coastal cities and communities can draw upon. The 2023 Sea Art Festival provides an opportunity to view the sea from new perspectives, delve into themes of coexistence and community, and generate various ideas for the sea’s recovery through the lens of art.
