Art shows this week

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.

Filled with numerous sewing needle factories and textile manufacturers that supply the neighboring Dongdaemun Market, Changsin-dong has been largely a working-class neighborhood since the 1960’s. It is in this historic district where artist Nam June Paik spent part of his early childhood, and where his memorial now stands. Located in a quiet and unassuming part of a narrow alley, the memorial is in the shape of a hanok, the traditional Korean house, making it visibly different from the rest of the neighborhood. One step inside the main entrance, you get an immediate glimpse of Paik’s artistic style, at the door, which is created from putting nine televisions side by side. The televisions depict scenes from history to capture the environment in which Paik grew up. Born in Seoul in 1932, Paik lived in Hong Kong, Japan, Germany and the U.S. throughout his lifetime, before returning to Seoul in 1984. His diverse life experiences are manifest in his artwork. The inside of the house is a simple L-shape with a small courtyard, allowing visitors a short but thorough look into the life of Paik as an artist. The memorial features a short history of Paik’ career with commentary from friends and influences, as well as his signature television art projects, such as Good Morning America and collaboration with soprano Sumi Jo. At the end, you can enter a room modeled after Paik’s apartment in Soho, New York, where you can watch the interactive biography, the Paper Theater. Nam June Paik...