Garden5 blooms with exhibitions, performances
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Garden5, a multi-functional shopping mall located in Munjeong-dong, southeastern Seoul, now offers a variety of cultural events from exhibitions and street performances to plays and operas as a part of their "Culture Forest Garden5" program.
Organized by the Seoul Foundation for Art and Culture, the project aims to promote culture in southeastern Seoul. "We want to create a place where Seoulites can enjoy culture all the time, as well as during special festivals or events," an official of the foundation said. "We will cultivate 'cultural habits,' so everyone can enjoy the 'Culture Forest' project."
The "Art Castle" exhibit is on through May 29 at the Spring Plaza on the lower ground floor.
“The exhibition features the theme of "space" and embodies the place, whether real or imaginary, through media art," Kim Min-deul-le, the PR representative for the project said.
Han Sung-pil's "Small City in the Garden5" combines his previous series "Façade” with Rene Magritte's paintings." The photo wraps around the outer wall of the exhibition hall, bringing an exotic street to Garden5.
Artist Cha Min-young's installation "Missing Link" displays six briefcases. When visitors look through the lens of the bag, they will see different places such as a hotel, elevator and castle.
Other works on display include Lee Bei-kyoung's "Mirror of Mind Diagram" and "Selftime," Park Eun-seon's "Street-3" and Park Jun-beom's "Making Songdo." These works cause an optical illusion between 2D and 3D or respond to movement of the visitors, resulting in a new experience.
Gallery talk programs with a docent are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends.
Children can participate in "Garden Artee School," an art education and experience program. Available on Saturday and Sunday, children can make their own castle with various objects after watching the "Art Castle" exhibition.
The next exhibition "By Sky By Land" will run from June 17 to Aug. 21, featuring sculptures inspired by the sky.
Other than the exhibition hall, the Garden5 Art Hall will stage a monodrama "The Undertaker Mr. Yu" from today through April. The play is a hit in Daehangno, an area with several small theaters. “Raid on Oasis Laundry” and children’s play “The Dandelion’s Story” are next in the lineup. Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won.
The central plaza of Garden5 hosts various festivals from May to October on weekends. The theme varies by month ― street performance in May, world music in June, rock and dance in July and August and orchestral music in September and October.
The "Cultural Forest" project also supports local artists and provides studios for them. The "gardeners," or resident artists of Garden5, will share their talents with visitors through a pottery-making program.
Artee Book Cafe, a book cafe with a small gallery provides a resting place for shoppers.
The mall is located near Jangji Station on subway line No. 8. For more information visit www.garden5.com.