"Lotte Department Store Sees Flood of Pre-Opening Purchase Inquiries for Themed Exhibition Celebrating Women's Day"

On International Women's Day, 'Rejoice Campaign' Message Featured
8 Themed Exhibitions at 5 Lotte Galleries Including Main Store, Jamsil, Dongtan
Over 40 Renowned Female Artists Participate
1% of Artwork Sales Donated to Underprivileged Neighbors

Rejoice Exhibition Main Poster.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lotte Department Store announced on the 2nd that it will hold a large-scale special themed exhibition titled "Rejoice" on March 8th in celebration of International Women's Day.

Rejoice is Lotte Shopping's representative social contribution campaign that supports women's self-esteem, dreams, and challenges. While last year's International Women's Day focused on promoting the Rejoice campaign to the public, this year's Rejoice has partnered with "art."

Artworks have gained attention due to the home interior boom caused by restrictions on outdoor activities from the COVID-19 outbreak and as a new financial investment method, growing the market size to reach 1 trillion KRW this year. In fact, sales of artworks at Lotte Department Store galleries in the fourth quarter of last year surged more than threefold compared to the third quarter. To commemorate International Women's Day, a special exhibition was prepared where visitors can appreciate artworks and purchase them in one place, conveying the message of the Rejoice campaign.

This exhibition, under the slogan "Art and Women, Their Shining Names," will be held at five Lotte Galleries located in the Main Store, Jamsil Store, Dongtan Store, Incheon Terminal Store, and Gwangju Store. Over 40 female artists will participate, showcasing diverse and original artistic worlds. Unlike general external exhibition halls, Lotte Galleries are free to use, allowing anyone, even those not deeply familiar with art, to easily visit and enjoy.

Each gallery's exhibition was planned with differentiated sub-themes to enhance the viewing experience. Although the exhibitions take place in five galleries, including the art wall, a total of eight distinctive exhibitions will be held. The exhibition periods vary by location and continue until May.

The exhibition at Dongtan Store Gallery, which marks the beginning, is titled "Be You!" and is the youngest and most dynamic. Dongtan Store, opened in a new town in August last year, has a higher sales composition ratio of customers in their 20s and 30s compared to other department stores. Targeting the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), the exhibition carries the message of "Confident Women and Self-Esteem," featuring many wannabe artists popular among the MZ generation.

Visitors can enjoy exhibitions by famous artists on social media and talented creators such as Su, a fashion insider known for live painting; Shin Morae, who captures everyday experiences in pink tones; Lee Seullo, who reinterprets popular 1990s stars; Jung Jaein, famous for flower works in oil painting; and Gapbao, who creates witty and fairy-tale-like sculptures. The exhibition space is decorated in pastel tones to harmonize well with the artworks. The department store expects this to become a new "SNS sanctuary" for MZ emerging collectors.

During the preparation period, the exhibition was already known among fans through word of mouth, creating high demand for purchasing artworks. On the opening day, February 28th, crowds gathered as if for an "open run." The event will continue until May 22nd, with sold-out works continuously replaced by new pieces.

The three exhibitions held through the art wall at the Main Store emphasize "premium." The Main Store, with many passing customers and a diverse clientele, aims to provide a differentiated premium experience through high-quality visual content. At the Main Store's AvenueL, the exhibition "Still Life" by Jeong Heeseung, a contemplative artist, runs until April 25th. In the main building, the exhibitions "Rising Names" featuring rising domestic artists Kim Chansong, Yoo Jaeyeon, Jang Suji, Jeong Jiyoon, and Jeong Heeki, and "Bulletproof!" by the renowned French artist Niki de Saint Phalle will be held from March 3rd to April 25th. The exhibitions harmonize famous prints by internationally recognized artists with works by fresh, promising artists gaining attention.

The Jamsil Store exhibition is curated as a collection with high value. Titled "Expressions of Abstraction," it will be held at the Jamsil Store Art Hall from March 8th, International Women's Day, until April 24th. This exhibition is expected to appeal to so-called "big players" in the art market, collectors, and high-tier customers. Jamsil Store has a high sales ratio from premium customers and a large surrounding residential population, targeting these groups for the exhibition. Participating artists include Ahn Jeongsook, Je Yeo-ran, Yoon Jongju, Park Jeonghye, and Hong Seunghye.

The Incheon Terminal Store exhibition, titled "Fresh, Sparkling, Soft," focuses on joy. The exhibition, which captures the preciousness of people, animals, and experiences encountered in daily life, will be held from March 3rd to April 24th. Participating artists are Park Hyeongjin, Yoon Jincho, and Great Minor. Considering its proximity to the bus terminal, the exhibition is designed with works that can be comfortably enjoyed by families and travelers alike.

At the Gwangju Store, 13 female artists including Choi Hyangjeong, Han Jeonghye, and Shin Seunghye will participate in the "Embroidery Daily Life" exhibition, which expresses the beauty of everyday life through the traditional craft of embroidery. The exhibition will run from March 18th to April 24th.

Starting in March, the underground plaza of Jamsil World Mall will be transformed into a promotional space for the Rejoice exhibition. The underground plaza, connecting Jamsil Station, World Tower, and Lotte World, is a bustling area with an average daily foot traffic of 170,000 people. Instead of commercial advertisements on 55 displays installed on underground pillars, exhibition posters designed by the renowned domestic design studio "Practice of Daily Life" for each gallery will be displayed to attract attention.

Meanwhile, 1% of the proceeds from the sale of exhibition artworks will be donated to marginalized neighbors in the name of Lotte Shopping's "Rejoice Campaign" and the respective artists. The 1% donation not only practices corporate noblesse oblige but also explains why this exhibition carries the name of the social contribution campaign Rejoice. It aligns with the consumer trend of meaning-driven consumption, or "meaning out," which prefers products from ethical companies and values-driven consumption.

Jung Junho, CEO of Lotte Department Store, said, "We will continue to grow Lotte Gallery's artworks into premium content that can be experienced at the department store," adding, "I hope this exhibition, inspired by the social contribution campaign Rejoice, will resonate with customers and be remembered as a meaningful experience that connects art appreciation, purchase, and sharing."