Art Exhibitions to See in Seoul this March
As early spring arrives, the art calendar introduces new exhibitions to refresh our senses. Highlights this month include Philippe Parreno's debut in Korea at the Leeum Museum of Art and Rinus Van de Velde’s exhibition at Art Sonje Center. In galleries, make sure to check the group exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac and Sang Nam Lee's solo show at Perrotin before they end.
1. Koo Bohnchang’s Voyages at Seoul Museum of Art
The retrospective currently open at the Seoul Museum of Art presents the works of Koo Bohnchang, a prominent figure in Korean contemporary art. Koo has been a key figure in reshaping the concept of photography as an art form, moving beyond traditional roles. The exhibition showcases over a thousand works from various series, including "In the Beginning" and "Goodbye Paradise," along with rare objects and portraits from his collection.
Installation view from Koo Bohnchang’s Voyages at Seoul Museum of Art. Courtesy of Seoul Museum of Art. Photo: Jung Ji-hyun, Go Bon-chang Studio
EXHIBITION INFO
Dec 14, 2023 – Mar 10, 2024
Location: Seoul Museum of Art, Seosomun Main Branch
Admission: Free
More information
2. Rinus Van de Velde: I Want to Eat Mangos in the Bathtub at Art Sonje Center
Rinus Van de Velde explores circular narratives blending reality and fiction using various art forms like drawings, installations, and videos. The exhibit– inspired by parallel universes– features large-scale charcoal drawings, films with fragmented narratives, and meticulously crafted props that blur the lines between reality and illusion. In his works, Van de Velde portrays himself as a pleinairist from the early 20th century, creating a "fictional autobiography."
Rinus Val de Velde. Courtesy of Galery Baton, Seoul.
EXHIBITION INFO
Mar 8 – May 12, 2024
Location: Art Sonje Center, Space ISU.
(The exhibition will move on to the Jeonnam Museum of Art in late May.)
Admission: Adults 10,000 won
More information
3. Philippe Parreno: Voices at Leeum Museum of Art
In his first solo exhibition in Korea, the French artist includes artworks from the nineties to the present. Under the theme of multiple voices, Parreno delves further into the relationship between artwork and exhibition through interactive temporal experiences that test the limits of reality and fiction. Highlights in the presentation include a commissioned work created in collaboration with actress Bae Doona, with conlangers David J. Peterson and Jessie Sams. Additionally, artist Tino Sehgal presents a live work in the exhibition.
Installation view of Philippe Parreno, Voices at Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul. Courtesy of Leeum Museum of Art. Photo: Hong Cheol-ki
EXHIBITION INFO
Feb 28 – Jul 7, 2024
Location: Leeum Museum of Art
Admission: Adults 18,000 won / Univ.(grad) (Age 19~24) 9,000 won
More information
4. Nostalgics on Realities at Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul
In galleries and curated by Kim Sung woo, the exhibition at Thaddaeus Ropac brings the new and recent artworks of six Korean contemporary artists: Jesse Chun, Eugene Jung, Yongju Kwon, Hwayeon Nam, Minsun, and Yooyun Yang. Exploring interdisciplinary practices, artists address themes such as language deconstruction, post-apocalyptic environments, labor, historical narratives, human-nature connections, and the "age of anxiety."
Installation view from Nostalgics on Realities at Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul, Courtesy of Thaddaeus Ropac, Seoul.
EXHIBITION INFO
Jan 26 – Mar 9, 2024
Location: Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul
Admission: Free
More information
5. Sang Nam Lee: Forme d’esprit at Perrotin Seoul
The solo show dedicated to the artist's exploration of geometric and abstract language over four decades focuses on his early New York period, crucial to his artistic development. Including 13 pieces from the 1990s to 2023, the show is an opportunity to approach a body of work characterized by its departure from modernist conventions, challenging fixed relationships between form and content. His images– often described as enigmatic– reflect his position at the intersection of various dichotomies, emphasizing the expansive possibilities of painting.
Sang Nam Lee. Forme d'esprit (H29), 2022. Courtesy of Perrotin, Seoul.
EXHIBITION INFO
Jan 25 – Mar 16, 2024
Location: Perrotin Seoul
Admission: Free
More information
6. Lygia Pape at White Cube Seoul
The upcoming presentation at White Cube will mark the first showcase with the gallery. This show brings together the works of a pivotal figure in the Neo-Concrete movement and the art scene in Brazil from the mid-20th century. Pape's vast practice encompasses various mediums, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, film, performance, and installation.
Installation view of Lygia Pape’s presentation (detail). Image Courtesy of White Cube, Seoul.
EXHIBITION INFO
22 March – 25 May 2024
Location: White Cube Seoul
Admissions: Free
More information
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