"Comfort to Citizens, Vitality to the Art World" Seoul City-Ministry of Culture Public Art Project Showcases 12 Works

Comforting Citizens Weary from Prolonged COVID-19, Revitalizing the Stagnant Art Scene 'Seoul, 25 Episodes;'
Experimental Works Including Media Art, Performance, Publishing, and Videos Set in 11 Districts

Jongno-gu, a Wall Where Clouds Linger

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Public art works that offer comfort and joy to citizens weary from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and revitalize the stagnant art scene are meeting citizens across Seoul.

On the 8th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that through the Seoul City-Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism public art project 'Seoul, 25 Episodes;', it will present 12 works in 11 autonomous districts. By the end of July, 37 works will be completed and available for viewing throughout all 25 autonomous districts.

'Seoul, 25 Episodes;' is a public art project jointly promoted nationwide by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local governments. Since September last year, Seoul has supported the entire process from the call for submissions, judging, final selection, to production. The 'Public Art Project' is a government-matching project initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to support artists struggling due to COVID-19 and provide cultural enjoyment opportunities to citizens.

In 11 autonomous districts including Jongno-gu and Seodaemun-gu, teams of 10 to 40 artists collaborated on each work. Experimental works combining multiple genres such as media art, performance, publishing, and video documentation were created. The 12 works are set against the backgrounds of Jongno-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Dobong-gu, and others.

Reflecting local characteristics, unique works that can only be seen in Seoul were realized at locations such as Nakwon Arcade in Jongno, Dapsimni Film Studio in Dongdaemun-gu, Jamsugyo Bridge in Yangcheon-gu, and Changdong Overpass in Dobong-gu. 'Meeting Square' is a video documenting elderly people holding a Go tournament at Nakwon Arcade in Jongno-gu. It is shared with citizens through various channels including YouTube. 'Seed Station - The Garden of the Cosmic Farmer' is a museum recording and exhibiting native seeds of Dobong-gu. It was created under the Changdong Overpass as a project to remember urban ecology.

Media art collaborating with various artistic genres is also showcased. 'Reflect' in Dongdaemun-gu, installed near Dapsimni Film Studio on Film Street, exhibits videos and publications produced in collaboration with professionals from diverse fields such as film directors, visual artists, and novelists. 'A Day in Seongdong' in Seongdong-gu was created by combining media art and AR, depicting stationary light (day) and moving light (night), and installed on the retaining wall of Wangsimni Plaza.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has disclosed information about the works and their creation process on the official website of 'Seoul, 25 Episodes;'. Visitors can check the entire process from installation to completion, artist interviews, and schedules of related events.

Yoo Yeon-sik, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Culture Headquarters, said, “Through this project, we aimed to present fresh approaches and works composed of diverse genres that have been difficult to encounter in public art so far,” adding, “We hope the colorful works found throughout Seoul will bring comfort and joy to citizens during the COVID-19 era and breathe new life into the stagnant art world.”

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