New Art Museum to Be Expanded
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The construction of the Seoul annex of the National Contemporary Art Museum will be finished according to plan by 2012, and will be xpanded to include the military hospital, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Wednesday.
The plan to build the annex at the former site of the Defense Security Command, also known as ``Gimusa,'' in central Seoul were made early this year and the amended one is now underway.
``We thought it was inappropriate to build a national landmark in such a place due to its shape. So, through continuing efforts and consultations, we have decided to move the hospital to the former site of the Appeal Commission for Teachers in Samcheong-dong through November next year and thus, build the museum on the expanded space,'' Park Soon-tae, director-general of arts policy at the ministry, said during a press conference.
Now, the Seoul annex will be constructed on a 33,000 square-meter site, excluding the main building of Gimusa. The building is registered as Modern Cultural Property No. 375 and so the exterior cannot be touched. The site currently houses 13 buildings, including the main building.
In the case of possible discoveries of cultural properties, the ministry will work with the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea to make sure there will be no delays in construction.
The ministry has already examined the surface of the site, and is now utilizing prospecting procedures.
``Excavations for cultural properties will be made through April next year. If we do find any, we will try to keep them remain intact for museum visitors,'' Park said.
The 200-billion won project will start in September next year, including its architectural design and constructions plans.
The ministry is to hold a public contest for the design of the museum until next month and will select a winner by April. The contest will include the basic framework of the art venue, including the exterior, interior and additional facilities.
``This project is important for both the public and artists. We will make an effort to build an art venue that can represent Korea and bring artists from around the world for cultural exchanges,'' Park said.
The annex will be open to the public by early 2013.