Around Town 2
Museums
The Fiftieth Anniversary Exhibition of MMCA Korea, The Square: Art and Society 1900-2019
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
Until Feb. 9, 2020
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) was established in 1969 to showcase the artwork of contemporary artists in Korea as well as bring in works of artists from abroad. This year marks its 50th anniversary, and to commemorate, the MMCA is hosting this exhibition across its Deoksu Palace, Gwacheon and Seoul branches. The Seoul branch will focus on the theme of the “square,” which represents a space for “solidarity, division, and utter confusion.” The exhibition will feature various mediums of art including installations and photography.
Tickets cost 4,000 won. Visit mmca.go.kr for more information.
Architecture and Heritage: Unearthing Future
Until April, 2020
This exhibition will show how modern contemporary architects have envisioned the future of Korean architecture. While preserving Korea's traditional buildings, they have also included contemporary elements in their works, and depict the country in its potential future form. Space Popular, CL3, Bureau Spectacular, OBBA and Obra Architects are the five groups whose works will be featured in this exhibition.
Admission is free. Visit mmca.go.kr for more information.
Outdoor Project Cody Choi: Venetian Rhapsody ― The Power of Bluff
Until May, 2020
This exhibition draws inspiration from the bright and stimulating neon signs of Las Vegas. Taking that concept, Cody Choi transformed Korean streets in a similar fashion, creating an artful space in a business-oriented cityscape. Choi is a visual artist who has worked all over the world including in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Many of his works reflect his thoughts on society and culture, which will also be displayed in this exhibition through the themes of capitalism and advertising.
Admission is free. Visit
for more information.
Art Exhibitions
Eternal Now
PKM Gallery
Until Jan. 5, 2020
This exhibition is co-curated by Saskia Draxler, the president of Galerie Nagel Draxler (Germany), and Park Kyung-mee, the president of PKM Gallery (Korea). The title “Eternal Now” was derived from the term used by Kader Attia at the 2018 Gwangju Biennale, naming the collective memory and wounds that we share as an “eternal now.” Six artists, both domestic and international, will be featured including Francis Alys, Kader Attia, Koo Jeong-A, Lee Bul, Martha Rosler and Hito Steyerl. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the artists' unique interpretations of social and cultural issues using different mediums.
Paik Nam-june pioneered the use of video and TV in art. The exhibition features his photography works./Courtesy of Interart Channel and Public Gallery
Paik is Back
Jongno Tower
Until Jan. 30
Paik Nam-june, the Korean artist who died in 2006 aged 74, is considered the godfather of video art. He is credited with an early usage of the term “electronic superhighway” in the 1970s to forecast the future of communication in the internet age, even before the internet dominated our daily lives. The visionary artist's retrospective is being held by Tate Modern in London. Co-organized by Interart Channel and Public Gallery, the exhibition “Paik is Back” presents some of his photography works.
or public-gallery.com for more information.
Ordinary Lie
Seoul Museum
Until Feb. 2
Lies, often justified as white lies, and fake news are rampant in modern society. As children, we used to be told off by teachers and parents when we lied. However, we tend to lie to others, whether it is to spare someone's feelings or not, as we grow older. Lies are not powerful in themselves, but when they are used with hidden agendas, things start to become confused. Things we once believed can also turn out to be lies. This exhibition delves into lies, especially “lying,” as an act. Through the artistic process, 23 participating artists focus on how lies could hold significance and affect people's relationships.
Tickets cost 11,000 won. Visit seoulmuseum.org for more information.
Chinese fans exported to European countries hold meaning in the history and culture of the 19th century./ Courtesy of Hwajeong Museum
Chinese Export Fan
Hwajeong Museum
Until Feb. 16
Featuring selected collections of about 60 Chinese fans as well as about 20 Western fans, 10 Chinese paintings and crafts, the exhibition “Chinese Export Fan” highlights the history and culture of China and the European countries that imported the nation's fans during the 19th century. One of the major artworks in this exhibition is a painted folding fan decorated with silk and ivory. The displayed fans, which were produced in China and exported to Europe, indicate the vigorous trade between the countries and reflect the trends of arts and crafts during the period.
Tickets cost 10,000 won. Visit hjmuseum.or.kr/museum/exhibition/ready.asp for more information.
The Muse
The Seouliteum
Until Feb. 16, 2020
This large-scale exhibition will bring together the works of several of the most prominent artists from the 19th to 21st centuries. Seurat, Mondrian, Gaudi, Matisse, Degas, Millet, Gogh, and Mucha will be the featured artists. Their genres range from post-impressionist paintings to theatrical posters. Several of them have become legendary figures of art history, influencing generations of art students and curators to this day. Due to its comprehensive timeline and range of styles, this exhibition will be appropriate for art lovers of all backgrounds.
Tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.
Modern Rose
Nam-Seoul Museum of Art
Until Mar. 1
The title of the exhibition “Modern Rose” was derived from an article about roses in the Belgian consulate building in the early 20th century. The former Belgian consulate constructed during the Korean Empire (1897-1910) is transformed into the Nam-Seoul Museum of Art, treasuring the historical moments and original structures. The roses that had bloomed in the Belgian consulate back then were moved to Chosun Hotel and became a symbol of modernity. Displayed with 22 works of art, the historical architecture of the Nam-Seoul Museum of Art will present complex ideas about modern and contemporary history.
Admission is free. Visit sema.seoul.go.kr for more information.
Alphonse Mucha
My Art Museum
Until March 1, 2020
Czech artist Alphonse Maria Mucha (1860-1939) was known for his paintings, illustrations and other graphic art. He also produced many commercial posters, advertising anything from food to cigarettes. Many of the subjects depicted in his works were women, portrayed lavishly and with intricate details. Throughout his career, he created over 240 paintings, many of which will be on display at this upcoming exhibition. Visitors will get a glimpse of his art as well as the influence he had over commercialization and fashion.
Tickets cost 10,000 won to 15,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.
This exhibition presents non-Western countries' artworks to shed light on Middle Eastern and Arabian cultures and values./Courtesy of Seoul Museum of Art
Go-hyang: home
Seoul Museum of Art
Until March 8
The exhibition titled “go-hyang: home” is the third edition focusing on the Non-West, hosted by the Seoul Museum of Art. The previous series of exhibitions approached Africa in 2015 and Latin America in 2017. This time, “go-hyang: home” is featuring contemporary compositions from the Middle East. Considering the stereotypes and social prejudices against Middle Eastern people, Koreans may have many misconceptions about Middle Eastern culture and society. The exhibition, therefore, aims at introducing diverse artistic practices from the Middle East and showcasing their values, which Koreans could share and relate to.
Museum of Colors
S Factory
Until March 15, 2020
This exhibition is a celebration of the colors we see in the sky, the ocean and the forests as well as the busy urban landscape. Many different artists have contributed to this exhibition, which is divided into nine main sections including Aurora Forest, Sky Island and Red Castle. Visitors will be able to see art in diverse mediums including paintings, sculptures and photographs.
Tickets cost 8,000 won to 15,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.
Kids
Children's Museum
National Museum of Korea
Throughout 2020
The Children's Museum, located in the National Museum of Korea, is an activity-oriented museum where children can appreciate history. The museum exhibits reproductions of artifacts on display in the permanent exhibition hall so as to enable children to gain a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage. Through the exhibition, children can learn about the ways of life and wisdom of people in ancient times through various experiential exhibits. The museum also provides educational programs that allow children to observe and touch cultural artifacts by themselves and develop their interest in history and culture. The educational programs are only provided in Korean. Tickets are free. For more information, visit ntok.go.kr or call (02) 2777-6090.
Sports
Basketball
Saturday, Dec. 28
Men's game
Goyang Orions vs. Busan KT Sonicboom
Goyang Gymnasium
Changwon LG Sakers vs. Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Changwon Indoor Gymnasium
Anyang KGC vs. Seoul Samsung Thunders
Anyang Gymnasium
Women's game
Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds vs. Cheongju KB Stars
Dowon Gymnasium
Sunday, Dec. 29
Seoul SK Knights vs. Wonju Dongbu Promy
Jamsil Students' Gymnasium
Goyang Orions vs. Incheon ET Land Elephants
Jeonju KCC Egis vs. Ulsan Mobis Phoebus
Gunsan Wallmyeong Gymnasium
Busan BNK Sum vs. Bucheon KEB Hana Bank
BNK center
Horseracing
Let's Run Park Seoul
Let's Run Park Seoul holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It is located near exit 3 of Seoul Racecourse Park Station on Line 4. For more information, visit kra.co.kr or call (02) 509-1114.