Installation of Large 'Hug Bear' Approximately 8m High at Hongdae Festival Street Plaza

On Display at Eoullim Madang-ro Hongdae Festival Square Until July 8... Collaboration with Famous Pop Artist Lim Ji-bin, Guerrilla Exhibition Utilizing Everyday Spaces

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] On the 16th, a large approximately 8-meter-tall 'Hug Bear' was installed at the Hongdae Festival Street Plaza.

This pop art piece, installed by the district office, features a gesture of extending both arms for a hug, attracting the attention of passersby.

Mapo-gu (District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced on the 24th that it will showcase a large-scale installation art project in collaboration with renowned pop artist Lim Ji-bin at the Hongdae Festival Street Plaza on Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, until July 8.

This installation art project is the first cultural and artistic event held since Mapo-gu recently transformed the parking lot street near KT&G Sangsangmadang into the Festival Street Plaza. It was prepared to deliver messages of comfort and hope to many people exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Artist Lim Ji-bin is known as a leading artist who pursues 'Delivery Art,' allowing people to encounter art in everyday life without deliberately visiting museums. He is famous for guerrilla-style exhibitions that utilize ordinary spaces as galleries.

The 'Hug Bear' installed at the Hongdae Festival Street Plaza is also a work by Lim Ji-bin. During the exhibition period, the 'Hug Bear' is expected to become a popular photo zone at the plaza, heating up social media platforms such as blogs and Instagram.

Additionally, the 3rd Museum, located a 5-minute walk from the Festival Street Plaza, is hosting Lim Ji-bin's solo exhibition 'Now·Here in Hongdae,' which is free to visit until July 26.

The district office plans to continuously provide diverse attractions filling the Hongdae Festival Street Plaza, starting with this event.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "The Bearbrick extending its arms for a hug expresses the image of warmly embracing residents who have fallen into depression and despair due to COVID-19," adding, "I hope this will be an opportunity for many people to experience contemporary art in their daily lives, empathize, and communicate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.