Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Urban Break 2023 to spotlight AI technology, interactive events
The promotional image of a live graffiti battle, “The Wall Breaker,” which will unfold at Urban Break 2023 in July at COEX in southern Seoul / Courtesy of Urban Break Committee
By Jung Da-hyun
By Jung Da-hyun
The main poster for Urban Break 2023 / Courtesy of Urban Break Committee
Urban Break 2023, renowned as Asia's premier contemporary urban and street art fair, is set to make its highly anticipated return at COEX in southern Seoul this July, offering an array of captivating interactive exhibits.
Since its inception in 2020, the art fair has evolved into a dynamic gathering that captivates Millennials and Gen Z, showcasing a fusion of subculture works, including art toys, webtoons, graffiti and tattoos. Last year, it attracted over 50,000 visitors.
The fourth edition will run from July 13 to 16 under the theme of “Crazy Experience.”
The event aims to provide visitors with engaging artist booths, immersive activities and live performances.
“Our focus lies in creating an enjoyable art festival rather than a traditional exhibition,” Daniel Jang, CEO of the Urban Break Committee, said at a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday.
One of the highlights includes a series of live graffiti battles, “The Wall Breaker,” accompanied by music performed by DJs.
Visitors can also see an exhibition featuring the works of six tattooists ― including Polyc, who is famous for tattooing BTS' Jungkook ― and can use a tattoo printer to adorn their bodies with their works.
PZLO, an AI artist created by Urban Break / Courtesy of Urban Break Committee
For the first time, Urban Break is set to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) technology, revolutionizing the presentation of urban and street art.
At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to witness the unveiling of PZLO, an AI artist developed by Urban Break. This creation will display machine-generated artwork, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Visitors will also be invited to use AI to create images of endangered animals and write messages in a participatory environmental project called "PZLO Photo Book." These contributions will then be displayed on the gigantic media wall, allowing attendees to participate in a meaningful environmental initiative.
The main poster for Urban Break 2023 itself has been meticulously crafted using AI technology. This artistic endeavor serves as a testament to the event's visionary ambition to explore the possibilities that arise from the intersection of art and technology.
American artist KAWS' Companion in Black edition / Courtesy of Urban Break Committee
In addition to a diverse array of experience-oriented events, special exhibitions will take place. This includes “KAWS: Unveiled,” a show of American artist KAWS' iconic figurines, paintings and posters, and “Art Toy Village,” which will highlight the art toy scene in Korea through the works of creators like Coolrain and Uptempo.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop this year, “The Art of Hip Hop" exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Museum of Graffiti in the United States, will also be offered. It will spotlight artists who have visualized hip-hop's distinct identity through photography, graffiti, illustration, graphic design and logo art.