Art shows this week

“This open, comprehensive cultural space was established by the actor Yoo Ah-in, photographer Kim Jae-hoon, the young artists Kwon Cheol-hwa and Kwon Ba-da and others. I go here quite often as I live nearby, and it's the perfect place to have some tea. On the rooftop, you can relax and enjoy the view of Namsan.”

A three-story brick building stands inconspicuously at the entrance to Wonseo-dong. Were it not for a banner hanging from the heavy black door, it would be quite difficult to tell that it was an art gallery at all. Featuring emerging artists and preparing exhibitions one year in advance, they date back to 2000 when they initially opened in Insadong. The basement level and the first two floors make up an exhibition space that showcases experimental art while the third floor is a workshop for students and artists. A little out of the way, even for an exceptionally diligent tourist, art lovers seek out the Insa Art Space for themes unexplored elsewhere.  

World-famous boy band Big Bang member T.O.P. spends ninety-five percent of his earnings on collecting art, while member Taeyang recently purchased the most expensive piece from artist Nam June Paik’s collection. For most of us, however, purchasing expensive artwork is a luxury we cannot afford. We can, however, observe renowned sculptures for free at the Trinity Garden, located on the sixth floor of Shinsegae Myeongdong.  The works exhibited in the Trinity Garden include both pop art and classical sculptures by famed artists Jeff Koons (‘Balloon Dog’), Alexander Calder (‘Le Cepe’), Henry Moore (‘Reclining Figure’) and Louise Bourgeois (‘Eye Bench’). Set in the heart of Seoul, you can also enjoy the great view of the original Korean Bank and Namsan Tower from the garden.

Hyundai card design library features 15,000 rare design books. The library’s exterior was constructed in a method similar to a traditional Korean house. The entrance was built with black bricks and the windows and crossbeams are covered in Korean paper, translating the beauty of traditional architecture into something modern.”