Seoul City and Hanwha Construction Open Seoul Station Public Art Project 'Docking Seoul'

Docking Seoul Exterior View / Photo by Hanwha Construction

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] The public art project "Docking Seoul," utilizing the parking ramp inside Seoul Station, will open on the 18th. This project is led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in collaboration with Hanwha Construction, Hanwha Connect, and Seoul Station North District Development.

The Docking Seoul project was initiated to transform the closed ramp facility space inside Seoul Station, which had been unused for over 20 years, into an artistic landmark for citizens. The closed parking ramp was once a vehicle passage connecting the parking lot of the old Seoul Station building, but after the construction of the new privately funded Seoul Station building, it is currently unused space.

The theme of this project, "Docking Seoul," is inspired by the characteristic of Seoul Station as a gateway where people and the city meet. The parking ramp, closed since 2004, reconnects with citizens through public art works and symbolizes a connection to a "new universe" (Docking means the joining of spaceships, ships, etc.).

The artworks displayed here will include installation art, media art, citizen participation works, and metaverse elements. About 20 students from Seoul Arts High School will participate as artists alongside Yang Jungwook, Default (Cha Donghoon), Jung Soyoung, Team Cowork, Kim Juhyun, and Kim Sejin. Additionally, citizen participation works involving 72 citizens will be exhibited. Scientific advisory is provided by astronomer Lee Taehyung and physicist Kim Sangwook.

Hanwha Construction, which participated in this project through environmental construction work, has been the lead company for the Seoul Station North District complex development project and has strived to enhance the public nature of the project. The Seoul Station North District complex development project involves developing the idle railway land on the north side of Seoul Station (around Bongnae-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu) to build convention facilities, hotels, offices, commercial facilities, and officetels.

Docking Seoul Interior and Exhibition Works / Photo by Hanwha Construction

Hanwha Construction and Hanwha Connect installed a rooftop connecting walkway linking Seoul-ro 7017 and the old Seoul Station building in 2020, and also created a rooftop sky garden at the old Seoul Station. Docking Seoul is connected to the walkway and rooftop sky garden, providing a cultural resting place for citizens and is expected to revitalize the local commercial district.

Kim Mankyeom, Vice President of Hanwha Construction, said, “We are pleased to participate in this public-private partnership project where artists and citizens create a cultural space together at Seoul Station, the first impression and center of Seoul. We will actively cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to complete the ongoing Seoul Station North District development project as a landmark serving as a hub of Seoul.”

Meanwhile, the Docking Seoul opening ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the same day at the Seoul Station rooftop garden and Docking Seoul. The event will include artists’ explanations of their works and celebratory performances, open to all citizens. From the following day, the 19th, it will be open free of charge from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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