Hwang Dalseong, President of the Hwarang Association, "Seoul Must Take the Lead in the Asian Art Market"

20th Anniversary Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) Opens on the 15th

Hwang Dalseong, President of the Korea Gallery Association.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] "Until now, the center of the Asian art market has been Hong Kong. However, due to recent political unrest such as the democratization movement, the atmosphere is changing. Now, Seoul must become the center. We will show a distinctly different image with the 20th anniversary Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) as an opportunity."

Hwang Dalseong, president of the Korea Gallery Association, stated this at a press conference held on the 6th ahead of the opening of 'KIAF Seoul 2021.' President Hwang explained, "Japan, feeling a sense of crisis that it might lose leadership of the art market to Korea, has recently created a tax-free zone and is preparing an Art Week linking over 50 museums and galleries, entering a competitive system," adding, "Russia has also established a gallery association and is seeking exchanges with Korea, with various countries taking action."

'Linear Expression' by George Condo, exhibited at 'KIAF Seoul 2021'. (Photo by Korea Gallery Association)

The Gallery Association will hold the 20th anniversary 'KIAF Seoul 2021' from the 15th to the 17th at COEX Halls A and B in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. KIAF is Korea's representative international art fair hosted by the Gallery Association since 2002. Over the past 20 years, more than 830 galleries worldwide have participated cumulatively. Before the general public viewing, the exhibition will open on the 13th for VVIPs and on the 14th for VIPs. Last year, KIAF was held online only due to COVID-19, but this year it will be conducted both online and offline.

President Hwang evaluated that Seoul has excellent conditions to become the center of the Asian art market. He said, "Korea has no customs duties or art transaction taxes," and added, "Incheon Airport is the largest in the world and has good geographical accessibility to Seoul." He continued, "Thanks to the recent boom in the art market, the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z) is rapidly emerging as new collectors with purchasing power," and added, "The fact that many overseas galleries are opening branches in Seoul reflects this atmosphere."

'Bodyscape 76-1-2019' by Lee Geon-yong, exhibited at KIAF Seoul 2021. (Photo by Korea Gallery Association)

This year's KIAF is expected to further boost the already exceptional boom in the Korean art market. This year, about 170 galleries from 10 countries worldwide will showcase paintings, sculptures, videos, and other works. Major domestic galleries participating include Gana Art (Seoul, Busan), Gallery Baton (Seoul), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul), Kukje Gallery (Seoul, Busan), Geumsan Gallery (Seoul), and The Page Gallery (Seoul).

New overseas galleries participating for the first time this year also attract attention. Konig (Berlin), which launched a branch in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul in April, is preparing for its first participation in KIAF, and Gladstone Gallery (New York, Brussels) is also participating in KIAF Seoul for the first time. Esther Schipper and Peres Projects, representative galleries from Berlin, Germany, have exhibited works in Busan before, but this is their first participation in KIAF Seoul, generating high expectations. VSF (Various Small Fires), which operates galleries in Los Angeles and Seoul, will also participate in KIAF Seoul.

This year at KIAF, works by globally renowned artists will be exhibited. From Korean masters such as Kim Chang-yeol, Lee Kang-so, Park Seo-bo, Lee Ufan, Yoon Hyung-keun, and Seo Seung-won to contemporary artists attracting attention like Yang Hye-kyu and Kang Seo-kyung will be featured. Works by Jenny Holzer, Jean-Michel Othoniel, famous for glass sculptures from France, Cody Choi, who presented NFT (Non-Fungible Token) works at Art Basel Hong Kong, as well as Liam Gillick, Koen van den Broek, and Sam Gilliam will also be on display.

Floor plan of KIAF Seoul 2021 exhibition hall.

The exhibition space, divided into Halls A and B, has arranged domestic and international galleries in a diverse manner. Both entrances to Halls A and B are open, allowing visitors with cards and tickets to freely appreciate the artworks. Additionally, Hall A features the traditional KIAF solo project booths. Unlike before, a VVIP and VIP lounge is placed between Halls A and B to provide collectors with a comfortable environment to enjoy the artworks.

This KIAF will run an online Viewing Room alongside the offline exhibition at COEX. The online Viewing Room, newly launched last year, has enhanced features such as search and filters compared to the previous year. Through the menu, visitors can search by artist name and apply filters to search artworks by price, size, material, and year of creation. A function allowing customers to connect directly to galleries while viewing artwork images has also been added. The online Viewing Room will be available to the general public from the 15th to the 23rd via the official website. VVIPs and VIPs can access it earlier from the 8th.

Discovering Galleries Program Webpage Example.

From the 8th to the 11th, a newly launched 'Discovering Galleries' program will also be operated. It is available to everyone regardless of VVIP, VIP, or general status. This program is conducted online and introduces participating galleries' artists and works to collectors in advance through webinars, facilitating communication. It will include various events such as artist talks where galleries introduce their artists and works or visit studios to show vivid working scenes and hold dialogues with artists.

The 'VIP for MZ' program, hosted and organized by the Gallery Association, started on the 28th of last month and continues until the 14th. It is designed for MZ generation collectors, who are emerging as the most influential in the art world recently. Through lectures by gallerists, auctioneers, economists, and collectors, it provides practical knowledge and experience useful for novice collectors on changes in the art market, auction trends, and collecting directions.

Meanwhile, the Gallery Association recently signed an agreement with Incheon International Airport and is currently running 'We Connect, Art & Future, KIAF and INCHEON AIRPORT' for four weeks at the airport's First Transportation Center to promote KIAF participating galleries and artists. The Gallery Association plans to further promote Korean art globally through LED billboards and exhibitions within the airport.