Collaborative art space Yogiga celebrates 15 years
By Jon Dunbar
This weekend, the nomadic
celebrates its 15th anniversary with two days of events.
For all that time, Yogiga has been a representative collaborative space of Seoul, where artists of all types can come together and do their thing.
Lee Han-joo, a graphic design major, founded it as Yogiga Experiment Shop, a sales space for art goods. After that, he opened Yogiga Expression Gallery, the most iconic iteration of the space, located in a once-quiet corner of Hapjeong-dong, now a bustling street full of cafes and bars.
“I spent my 30s and 40s in the space,” Lee told The Korea Times. “I still feel like I'm home when I pass there. But now it's a clothing store. I don't want to go in.”
The unique art venue has relocated four times in all. Yogiga has set up shop in Seogyo-dong, Hapjeong-dong, Mangwon-dong, Yeonnam-dong and now Donggyo-dong, all along the edges of the constantly ending gentrification mess colloquially called Hongdae, named after nearby Hongik University.
Rather than blaming gentrification, however, Lee cites his own inexperience in the frequent uprooting. It has also resulted in a transitory feeling, leaving the “Yogiga Family” always living in the present when people come together without much attachment to a physical location.
“What really matters is the people we met in that temporary space,” Lee said. “It is a great asset for those who want to meet again at any time, meet if they are away, and want to do something together. And Yogiga is not a specific group or space, but a concept that anyone can create by sharing their space with many people.”
Over the last decade and a half, Yogiga has hosted various art and music events, such as the monthly experimental music sessions named after a North Korean monster movie, Bulgasari, which Lee has been running with Japanese foreign resident Sato Yukie since before the first Yogiga opened. Just last weekend, they held the latest Bulgasari event.
This small community has provided a sandbox for many artists, both foreign and Korean, and some have gone on to great things.
“There were many events and many experiments ― that is the most important and rewarding thing,” Lee said. “It was a space where various genres and new experiments were expressed.”
Yogiga formed a community of regulars, and it was common to hear them describe their relationships as “Yogiga Family.”
“I still feel good when I hear from friends who are still in contact and living all over the world,” Lee said. “Most of all, the proud part is the moment when friends from all over the world enjoyed it like family in that space.”
This Saturday and Sunday, Yogiga will host a “Box Shop” for trading musical instruments, paintings, albums, handicrafts and more. Other events are expected including music performances, although Lee has been quiet about this so far.