'2021 Craft Trend Fair' Opens on the 18th at COEX

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, together with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, it will hold the ‘2021 Craft Trend Fair’ from the 18th to the 21st at COEX Hall C in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Marking its 16th edition this year, the fair features over 320 participants from the craft sector, including craft artists, galleries, institutions, and universities. Various exhibition halls have been prepared, such as the Theme Hall, Creative Workshop Hall, Art & Heritage Hall, KCDF Project Hall, Brand Hall, and University Hall. Notably, Mr. Jung Guho was appointed as the general director, expanding the director’s role from solely planning the Theme Hall to overall event planning to ensure coherence. The Theme Hall, which has grown more than threefold compared to last year, exhibits works by 71 craft artists from diverse backgrounds and careers, showcasing pieces made with various materials, forms, techniques, and colors under the theme ‘Hyeonghyeongsaeksaek (形形色色).’

This year’s fair strengthens support for the distribution and sales of craft works by coordinating viewing schedules for major domestic and international buyers and the general public. On the first day, the 18th, 300 domestic and international buyers who pre-registered through the official website will be invited to activate business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. Additionally, to support the overseas expansion of Korea’s craft industry, country-specific ambassadors from France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Japan, and Australia have been appointed to introduce Korean craft events and works locally and to encourage transactions and follow-up cooperation. From the 19th to the 21st, anyone can attend by purchasing tickets in advance or on-site.

Various online events will also continue. The official website will exhibit submitted works online and provide opportunities to purchase them through ‘Naver Art Window’ and Instagram. Events where craft products can be purchased in real time will be held as well. On the YouTube channel of Lee Kwang-gi, a ‘Craft Live Auction Show’ will be conducted, and on ‘Naver Shopping Live,’ the ‘Craft Trend Fair Online Shopping with Rainbow’s Go Woo-ri’ will take place.

Furthermore, this fair will increase participation from domestic craft galleries and institutions, introducing and connecting emerging artists, mid-career artists, and artisans. Outstanding artists will be selected through on-site judging, awarded certificates and prize money, and supported with free exhibitions in cooperation with galleries, aiming to discover and nurture new talent.

More detailed information about this event can be found on the official website or through the ‘Craft Trend Fair’ secretariat.

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