Frieze, Kiaf Seoul to offer array of special programs accompanying art fair

Hong Lee Hyun-sook's "In the Neighborhood of Seokgwangsa" (2021) / Courtesy of the artist

By Park Han-sol

Frieze Seoul has announced a string of specially curated programs of music, films and exhibitions, as well as talks and soirees that will be featured as part of its upcoming second edition in September.

Following its successful debut in Asia last year, the global art fair will return to COEX in southern Seoul from Sept. 6 to 9, this time with a stronger lineup of Asia-based galleries. Among some 120 participating exhibitors, over 40 percent of them are from the region, according to the organizer.

An array of special on- and off-site projects are set to run alongside the main show throughout the capital city.

Frieze Film, curated by Kim Sung-woo and Sungah Serena Choo, spotlights 14 Korean artists working in time-based media ― including Jun So-jung, Hong Lee Hyun-sook and Kim Hyo-jae.

Titled “It was the way of walking through narrative,” the program will host screenings of their video works at four non-profit venues across the city and on Frieze's official website from Aug. 22 to Sept. 9.

Free talk sessions will be organized in partnership with Kiaf Seoul, Korea's longest-running contemporary art fair hosted by the Galleries Association of Korea, and Korean Art Management Service (KAMS), at COEX during the fair.

Prominent industry professionals and creators ― like Chong Do-ryun, deputy director of M+ in Hong Kong; Yung Ma, curator at the Hayward Gallery in London; Noam Segal, associate curator at the Guggenheim in New York; and Seoul-based artist duo Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho ― will share their insights on the Asian art fairs ecosystem, Korean experimental art and the impact of artificial intelligence on art, among other timely topics.

Lee Lee Nam's "The True Light That Gives Light to Every Man (2022) / Courtesy of the artist, Kiaf Seoul

Another initiative in the lineup is Frieze Music, which makes its Seoul debut this year with a live performance by Korean rapper Colde on Sept. 8 at OHHO in Seongsu-dong.

The global art fair is also expanding its collaboration with major local art institutions this year, namely the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), to boost the city's grassroots arts and culture scene. A batch of special exhibitions will be mounted at 35 non-profit, alternative spaces ― selected by ARKO and Frieze Film curators ― during Frieze Week from Sept. 4 to 10.

Frieze Week 2023 will see late-night gallery openings and soirees across three of Seoul's major art districts ― Hannam-dong, Cheongdam-dong and Samcheong-dong ― on Sept. 5, 6 and 7, respectively.

Running concurrently with Frieze at COEX is the 22nd iteration of Kiaf Seoul, which brings together 211 galleries from 20 countries.

Alongside the main event, it will stage its satellite art fair, Kiaf Plus, joined by 30 emerging art dealers with booths focused on up-and-coming creators. “Gray Box Area,” an immersive exhibition of 10 Korean new media artists, will be another highlight.

Like last year, visitors can enjoy both Frieze and Kiaf Seoul with the purchase of a joint ticket.