Pompidou Center Hanwha Unveils Picasso Works, Opens to Public on June 4

The Third International Outpost of the Pompidou Center Arrives in Seoul
Pompidou Center Opens at the 63 Building in Seoul
Iconic Cubist Works by Picasso and Marie Laurencin Unveiled

On May 19, Hanwha Culture Foundation announced that it held the opening ceremony for the "Pompidou Center Hanwha" at the 63 Building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The newly opened "Pompidou Center Hanwha" is the third international Pompidou Center outpost, following those in Malaga, Spain and West Bund, Shanghai, China.

Hanwha exterior of the Pompidou Center. Hanwha

The opening ceremony was attended by Kim Dongwon, President and Chief Global Officer (CGO) of Hanwha Life Insurance, executives from Hanwha Group affiliates, Philippe Bertoux, Ambassador of France to Korea, Laurent Le Bon, President of the Pompidou Center, Yoo Hong-june, Director of the National Museum of Korea, Kim Sunghee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Lee Bumheon, Chairman of the Korea Arts Council, and other key figures from the domestic and international arts and culture community.

President Kim Dongwon toured the exhibition works together with major figures from the art world and artists participating in the "Youngmin Overseas Residency Support" program. At the event, iconic Cubist pieces such as Pablo Picasso's "Mercure Ballet Curtain" and Marie Laurencin's "Apollinaire and His Friends" were released to the public.

Kim Sunghee, Director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, "The opening of the Pompidou Center Hanwha is even more meaningful as it coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France," adding, "I expect it will serve as an excellent bridge for cultural and artistic exchange and joint growth between the two countries."

Kim Seungyeon, Chairman of Hanwha Group, remarked in a commemorative speech read by President Kim Dongwon, "Hanwha regards culture and the arts not merely as something to be supported, but as a core value for the future. Someone must envision an unseen future and maintain that possibility to the end, and that belief has manifested here today."

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the lighting event, where President Kim Dongwon, major guests, and Hanwha Group executives took the stage to complete the final piece of the illuminated model of the Pompidou Center Hanwha building.

A representative from Hanwha Culture Foundation stated, "We plan to develop Pompidou Center Hanwha into a world-class cultural hub representing Korea," adding, "We will strive to contribute to future generations and society through culture and the arts."

"Pompidou Center Hanwha" will officially open to the public from 10 a.m. on June 4. In the future, it will also serve as a multifaceted cultural space supporting the advancement of Korean artists onto the global stage.

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