By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Acclaimed U.S. architect Daniel Libeskind Saturday said that Seoul needs to seek a breakthrough in design and architecture in order to compete with other cities.
``Seoul needs to be developed and it needs a breakthrough in innovation and architecture, shed old notions and really create new neighborhoods and iconic places,'' Libeskind said during a news conference at the Jamsil Sports Complex in southern Seoul.
``Cities are in competition with other cities today. Cities can no longer sustain themselves on their own reputation and their own great past because they are in a global competition,'' he said.
Libeskind was visiting Seoul as one of the distinguishing lecturers at the World Design Olympiad 2008. Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the main venue of the Jamsil Sports Complex, it will continue through Oct. 30.
The 52-year-old architect is best known for his design of iconic buildings in various international cities ― the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, the extension to the Denver Art Museum in the United States and the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, England. He recently became the master plan architect for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site in New York.
Introducing himself as ``a great admirer of Seoul,'' he said Seoul has great potential for its unique characteristics.
``Seoul is an incredibly impressive city. Not only because of its energy but also the devastation that happened to maintain the connection with the history of the city,'' he said.
But to better develop the city, he emphasized that design is a key element to connect its past, present and future as well as its environment.
``Seoul is located in an extraordinary environment. It goes right back to the origin of Korea, with the connection between water, mountains, and sky. That needs to come into design in a much more aesthetic way,'' he said.
He also spoke highly of the efforts by the Seoul city government to promote Seoul as a world center for design, citing the design Olympiad as a comprehensive design event for all walks of life.
``I think it is very important to put the design at the center of attention, not just for designers but the public at large. Particularly in the world of globalization where everything is going to look the same, it is important to find a local identity to create a unique design. It's a good idea to see design viewed in the level we see sports,'' he said.
The Olympiad consists of four main events ― the Seoul Design Conference, Seoul Design Competition, Seoul Design Exhibition and Seoul Design Festival. To celebrate the event, organizers also offer various performances, fashion shows and design tours.
For more information about the event, visit https://sdo.seoul.go.kr.