ID :
80422
Thu, 09/17/2009 - 14:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/80422
The shortlink copeid
Korea`s largest art fair opens
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's largest art market, organized by an
association of some of the most powerful commercial galleries in the country,
opened Thursday, displaying about 4,600 artworks from 16 different countries.
Running for five days through Sept. 22 at the COEX Convention Center, southern
Seoul, the 2009 Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) will bring together 168
domestic and overseas art galleries, as well as hundreds of collectors, keen to
view and trade works by some 1,200 artists amid a stale art market.
Despite a global economic downturn, the art industry has been holding up
surprisingly well with auction houses managing to attract a large number of
dealers and selling off most of their offerings.
Art devotees here and elsewhere, however, have been thirsty for more options to
choose from, with art possessors reluctant to open up their stock for lower
prices. As another recent trend, more art collectors have been turning their eyes
to relatively cheaper and "safer investment" materials as the U.S.-sparked
financial crisis continues to affect the market.
Appointing India, considered a brand new emerging market, as its guest country,
this year's KIAF (www.kiaf.org) will continue to focus on highlighting Korean
contemporary art in a special Korean modernism exhibition.
Although it has a much leaner lineup of galleries this year, compared to the 218
participating arthouses a year earlier, organizers of the event said they
anticipate the art fair to play a key role in reinvigorating the stagnant art
market and enhancing global recognition of local artists. A total of 46 overseas
galleries are officially taking part in the event from countries including
Germany, Japan, China, France and Australia.
The first event taking place in 2002 -- joined by the biggest Korean galleries
Arario Gallery, Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Gana Art Gallery as well as
overseas arthouses including TS1 Beijing, Colombia's El Museo, France's Galerie
Maria Lund, Germany's Walter Bischoff Galerie and Japan's Gallery Kaze -- the
KIAF has earned a reputation as one of the most prominent art destinations in
Asia. The 2008 KIAF attracted some 61,000 art devotees, according to its Web
site.
This year's special exhibition "Modern Boy, Modern Girl: Korean Contemporary Art,
Modernism & Modernity" will be divided into three eras, featuring works of local
artists including Kim Whan-ki, Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Joong-seop.
Works of 15 artists from guest of honor India -- including Gigi Scaria, Tejal
Shah, Surekha, Rohini Devasher and Manjunath Kamath -- will be featured in the
"Failed Plot" exhibition, curated by Gayatri Sihna.
Seven artists from Korea, Japan and Taiwan, chosen by the KIAF organizers this
year, will also give special presentations and lectures on their works Sunday.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's largest art market, organized by an
association of some of the most powerful commercial galleries in the country,
opened Thursday, displaying about 4,600 artworks from 16 different countries.
Running for five days through Sept. 22 at the COEX Convention Center, southern
Seoul, the 2009 Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) will bring together 168
domestic and overseas art galleries, as well as hundreds of collectors, keen to
view and trade works by some 1,200 artists amid a stale art market.
Despite a global economic downturn, the art industry has been holding up
surprisingly well with auction houses managing to attract a large number of
dealers and selling off most of their offerings.
Art devotees here and elsewhere, however, have been thirsty for more options to
choose from, with art possessors reluctant to open up their stock for lower
prices. As another recent trend, more art collectors have been turning their eyes
to relatively cheaper and "safer investment" materials as the U.S.-sparked
financial crisis continues to affect the market.
Appointing India, considered a brand new emerging market, as its guest country,
this year's KIAF (www.kiaf.org) will continue to focus on highlighting Korean
contemporary art in a special Korean modernism exhibition.
Although it has a much leaner lineup of galleries this year, compared to the 218
participating arthouses a year earlier, organizers of the event said they
anticipate the art fair to play a key role in reinvigorating the stagnant art
market and enhancing global recognition of local artists. A total of 46 overseas
galleries are officially taking part in the event from countries including
Germany, Japan, China, France and Australia.
The first event taking place in 2002 -- joined by the biggest Korean galleries
Arario Gallery, Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Gana Art Gallery as well as
overseas arthouses including TS1 Beijing, Colombia's El Museo, France's Galerie
Maria Lund, Germany's Walter Bischoff Galerie and Japan's Gallery Kaze -- the
KIAF has earned a reputation as one of the most prominent art destinations in
Asia. The 2008 KIAF attracted some 61,000 art devotees, according to its Web
site.
This year's special exhibition "Modern Boy, Modern Girl: Korean Contemporary Art,
Modernism & Modernity" will be divided into three eras, featuring works of local
artists including Kim Whan-ki, Yoo Young-kuk and Lee Joong-seop.
Works of 15 artists from guest of honor India -- including Gigi Scaria, Tejal
Shah, Surekha, Rohini Devasher and Manjunath Kamath -- will be featured in the
"Failed Plot" exhibition, curated by Gayatri Sihna.
Seven artists from Korea, Japan and Taiwan, chosen by the KIAF organizers this
year, will also give special presentations and lectures on their works Sunday.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
