'Seoul Biennale' Opens on the 26th... Artistic Director Heatherwick: "An Event Even a 13-Year-Old Will Enjoy" (Comprehensive)

From September 26 to November 18
Theme Exhibition, Urban Exhibition, Seoul Exhibition, and Global Studio to Be Held

Thomas Heatherwick, the artistic director of the 5th Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale, is presenting the exhibition content at the press conference held on the 22nd. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

The 5th Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale (Seoul Biennale), directed by world-renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick, will open on September 26 after more than two years of preparation.

At a press conference held on the 22nd, Artistic Director Heatherwick stated, "It is time for a new approach to architecture that puts human emotions at the center," adding, "I want to create an event that even a 13-year-old child would enjoy."

He went on to say, "Many cities today are deeply wounded by the epidemic of loneliness," and emphasized, "We need places and buildings that bring people joy, not just those that serve economic logic or efficiency."

The Seoul Biennale, themed "Charming Cities, Architecture for People," will be held from September 26 to November 18 at various venues including the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza and the Seoul Urban Architecture Exhibition Hall. The event is open to everyone free of charge.

The Seoul Biennale is Korea's first global event in the field of urban architecture that facilitates the exchange of architectural culture. Since its inaugural event in 2017, it has attracted approximately 5.38 million visitors, including online participants. This year, the main focus is to explore ways to make cities more attractive through the everyday facades of buildings, moving beyond aesthetic perspectives.

The opening ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. on September 26 at the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza. Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, along with architects from Korea and abroad, diplomatic envoys to Korea, and citizens, are expected to attend.

On September 27 and 28, the "Global Opening Forum: Emotional City" will be held at the City Hall Multipurpose Hall. Experts will discuss how cities are created, examining the impact of building facades on human health, behavior, and society, and will explore strategies for creating beloved and enduring urban architecture for the future.

Image of the Humanise Wall theme exhibition at the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale. Seoul City

During the Seoul Biennale, exhibitions and forums will be held throughout the city. In particular, at the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza, four exhibitions will be presented under the theme "Charming Cities, Architecture for People": the Theme Exhibition, Urban Exhibition, Seoul Exhibition, and Global Studio.

The Theme Exhibition, titled "More Human Urban Architecture," features eco-friendly large-scale installations and 24 outdoor sculptures. The Humanise Wall and the Walls of Public Life, created by nine creative community teams, will be on display.

The Humanise Wall is a large eco-friendly installation measuring 90 meters wide and 16 meters high. It consists of 1,428 steel panels that combine over 400 images of buildings contributed by 110 designers from 38 countries and ideas from nine creative community teams. The installation delivers a message of creating "people-centered urban architecture" by bringing together diverse thoughts and ideas.

The Walls of Public Life is a project in which 24 teams of architects, designers, and artisans have created 24 wall-shaped installations (each measuring 2.4 meters by 4.8 meters). Visitors can walk freely between the walls and experience a variety of emotions-such as joy, warmth, and curiosity-evoked by building facades.

The Urban Exhibition, "The Face of the City: People Need Human-Centered Architecture," introduces 25 architectural projects from 21 cities in 15 countries, viewing the facades of buildings as the unique faces of each city.

The Seoul Exhibition, "Unfolding Seoul," offers an intuitive look at the city's transformation-past, present, and future-through its major buildings, from the perspective of its citizens. This panoramic exhibition captures 18 buildings and urban landscapes that will soon shape Seoul's near future, allowing visitors to experience Seoul from a human viewpoint, overcoming the limitations of bird's-eye perspectives.

The Global Studio, "Your Emotional City, Seoul," presents a collective artwork created from photos shared by citizens around the world on the Seoul Biennale website.

This year's Seoul Biennale also features a variety of citizen participation programs, including workshops and lectures led by Artistic Director Heatherwick, as well as lectures by international artists.

Lim Changsoo, Director of Future Space Planning at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "The Seoul Biennale is a festival that makes Seoul a more attractive and livable city through the perspectives and participation of its citizens. We look forward to sharing the future of the city together as we walk and observe it."

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