A Wall Transformed into an Art Piece... Seocho-gu Creates an Alleyway Gallery

Published 26 Dec.2023 07:35(KST)

A 100m section of the east fence of Seoul National University of Education in Gu is transformed into the 'Seoripul Alley Gallery' exhibiting works by residents and young artists... Part of the 'My Front Yard Seoripul Alley Project' to improve backstreet environment with residents

Exhibition of Works

Seocho-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) began operating the ‘Seoripul Alleyway Gallery,’ which decorates neighborhood walls with art so residents can enjoy artworks on the streets, starting from the 20th.

The ‘Seoripul Alleyway Gallery’ was created to transform relatively neglected side streets compared to main roads into ‘streets you want to walk’ by installing design facilities that harmonize with the surrounding environment. It is also part of the ‘Seoripul Alleyway Project in Front of My House,’ which improves the environment and aesthetics together with residents.

The location is approximately a 100-meter section along the east fence of Seoul National University of Education (Saimdang-ro 17-gil). The first exhibition features 35 works by young artists selected through the district’s ongoing ‘Youth Gallery Project.’

This ‘Seoripul Alleyway Gallery’ is the fourth exhibition space for young artists, following ▲Youth Cafe Gallery (connecting young artists with neighborhood cafes to exhibit and sell their works) ▲Seoripul Bus Stop Gallery (bus stops) ▲Distribution Box Gallery (displaying young artists’ works on 26 distribution boxes along Bangbae-ro).

Since 2019, the district has been promoting the ‘Youth Gallery Project’ to provide exhibition spaces for artists and cultural spaces for residents in daily life.

In particular, the ‘Seoripul Alleyway Gallery’ installed pin lights so residents can appreciate the artworks even at night. During the creation process, residents, including the Seocho 1-dong Residents’ Autonomy Committee, participated in deciding the installation locations and frame designs.

Going forward, the district plans to exhibit works by residents such as students of cultural classes at community centers, where exhibition spaces have been insufficient, and will regularly replace artworks and maintain a clean surrounding environment.

Along with this alleyway gallery, the district implemented the ‘Seoripul Alleyway Project in Front of My House’ at six locations this year. Representative projects include ▲creating flower beds and maintaining guide signs at Ssangji Park in Bangbae-bon-dong (Bangbae-ro 42-gil) ▲establishing Art Road at Seocho-daero 75 in Seocho 4-dong (repairing old roads) and installing logo projectors to prevent illegal dumping, among various side street environment improvement projects. The district plans to continue these projects next year after collecting residents’ opinions by neighborhood and conducting on-site surveys.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will improve urban aesthetics and create a refined Seocho where ‘everyday life is art’ by promoting various projects that bring art to alleyways, such as the Seoripul Alleyway Gallery.”