Leeum "Permanent Exhibitions Free from Now On"... Leeum and Hoam Fully Reopen Starting the 8th

Entrance view of Leeum Museum of Art located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Samsung Museum of Art Leeum and Hoam Art Museum will reopen on the 8th. Leeum will continue the spirit of the 'Lee Kun-hee Collection' donation by offering free admission to its permanent exhibitions from now on. To commemorate this reopening, Leeum and Hoam will also present special exhibitions.

The Samsung Cultural Foundation announced on the 5th that after completing the renewal of Leeum and Hoam Art Museum, they plan to begin full-scale operations starting on the 8th. This comes after a 1 year and 7 months indefinite closure due to COVID-19 since February 25 last year.

Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Leeum will switch its permanent exhibitions to a permanently free admission system to continue the legacy of the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung Group, who donated his art collection to the nation. Special exhibitions will remain free only until the end of this year. Although Leeum has occasionally offered some free admission in the past, most exhibitions were paid. Since the donation of over 23,000 pieces of the 'Lee Kun-hee Collection' is based on the principle of expanding the public's cultural enjoyment rights, this free admission is interpreted as a way to communicate more closely with the public.

Lobby view of the Leeum Museum of Art.

To become a future-oriented museum, Leeum has completely revamped its museum identity (MI), lobby space layout, and design. This project was led by Lee Seo-hyun, chairperson of Leeum’s operating committee (chairperson of Samsung Welfare Foundation), and Jung Ku-ho, a creative director and former Samsung C&T advisor, who has a close relationship with her. Various domestic and international artists from different fields also participated. Director Jung developed a spiral rotating MI symbolizing the will for change and reorganized the lobby space around the rotunda (a round interior hall). Works by artists such as Kim Soo-ja and Lee Bae were installed here, symbolizing a reinterpretation of tradition with contemporary aesthetics. Additionally, digital services such as the 'Media Wall,' 'Digital Guide,' and 'Leeum DID (Digital Imaging Display)' were upgraded, and the website was revamped.

To celebrate this renewal, Leeum will hold both permanent and special exhibitions simultaneously. The permanent exhibition at Leeum has been completely revamped with a new theme since the 2014 'Sympathy Exhibition.' Many works that have never been exhibited before are now on display. The 'Korean Ancient Art Permanent Exhibition' features 160 pieces (including 6 national treasures, 4 treasures, and 6 contemporary art pieces). Besides national treasures like the 'Cheongja Dongchae Yeonhwamun Pyohyeong Jooja' and Kim Hong-do’s 'Gunsendo,' it newly showcases unique pieces such as the only octagonal lacquerware box from the late Goryeo to early Joseon period, the 'Najeon Palgak Hap.' Works by contemporary artists such as Jung Sang-hwa, Park Seo-bo, Anish Kapoor, and Tokujin Yoshioka are also exhibited. Furthermore, special exhibition spaces for 'Celadon Small Items' and 'Blue and White Porcelain Water Droppers' have been created to enhance the enjoyment of traditional art.

Permanent exhibition of ancient art at Leeum Museum of Art, 1st floor exhibition view.

The 'Contemporary Art Permanent Exhibition' is organized into three special themes that allow an open interpretation and enjoyment of contemporary art. A total of 76 works are displayed under themes such as 'Black Void,' exploring the world of black; 'Reverse Gravity,' showing art expanded into the immaterial world; and 'Strange Planet,' confirming the infinite imagination of art. More than half of the exhibited works are being shown for the first time in Leeum’s permanent exhibition.

The Leeum special exhibition is held under the theme 'Human, Seven Questions.' It reflects on ‘humanity,’ the origin of all art, contemplates the meaning of existing as human beings amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, and attempts to envision the future. It features 51 domestic and international artists and over 130 works. Starting with postwar art of the mid-20th century, which spread reflections on human existence, various works addressing the crisis of humanism and posthumanism are displayed.

Exhibition hall view of the Leeum special exhibition 'Distorted Body'.

Leeum aims to lead the museum’s globalization and popularization centered on newly appointed deputy director Kim Sung-won (professor of the Department of Visual Arts at Seoul National University of Science and Technology), who took office on the 1st of last month. A Leeum official stated, "We plan to expand support for Korean artists and contemporary art and broaden our global network to widely promote the value of Korean culture worldwide," adding, "We will strive to become a museum where visitors can have new cultural experiences."

Hoam, located in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, will hold a special exhibition under the theme 'Metallurgy: Great Wisdom.' 'Metallurgy' is a term encompassing the entire process and results of handling metals from ore mining to smelting. This fusion exhibition explores the uniqueness of Korean beauty through metal art from ancient times to the present. Using exposed concrete spaces with partitions and showcases made of iron, the exhibition expresses the greatness of humans creating the most precious creations from the rough nature through bold staging.