Songpa-gu 'Yesong Art Museum' Reopens... Dongdaemun-gu Improves Scenery of Jeongneungcheon and Seongbukcheon

[Seoul District News] Yesong Art Museum Reopens March 22 with Print and Photography Exhibition... Providing Residents with Diverse Cultural Experiences... Jungnang-gu, Shinmuk Elementary Students Tour Mangu History and Culture Park Opening... Dongdaemun-gu Plants 15,580 Shrubs and 26,580 Flowers, Increasing Green Space and Reducing Fine Dust

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa District, is listening to the artist's explanation of the artwork at the special exhibition for the reopening of Yesong Art Museum on March 23.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is providing opportunities for cultural enjoyment by continuing various art exhibitions at Yesong Art Museum for residents exhausted from COVID-19.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su stated, "Due to COVID-19, the stages for activities have diminished, causing the local cultural and arts community to shrink and residents to lose opportunities to experience culture and arts. Therefore, the Yesong Art Museum, which had been used as a vaccination site for nearly two years and had its exhibitions suspended, was reopened on March 22," explaining the background.

Yesong Art Museum is a 437㎡ exhibition hall located on the first floor of the Songpa-gu Citizens Hall (242 Baekjegobun-ro). It has led the expansion of cultural base by presenting more than 30 visual art exhibitions annually for various age groups, including exhibitions by Songpa-gu art groups, invited exhibitions of young artists, and special exhibitions for children during school vacations.

This exhibition is a printmaking and photography exhibition under the theme "Sustainability and Possibility." About 30 printmaking works by artist Lee Ha-jin and about 30 artistic photographs by artist Lee Jae-hyun will be on display from April 14 to May 4 for residents to enjoy.

The district plans to encourage reflection on how ecosystems are maintained amid natural changes over time and artificial changes created by human needs through printmaking and photography exhibitions, which are not easily accessible to the public.

From the reopening day until April 1, a "Reopening Special Exhibition" was held. Ten local flat painting artists, including Kim Yeon-soon who has focused her work on apples, participated and presented over 50 works.

Additionally, the district continues various genre exhibitions through exhibition facilities located throughout the area. At Seokchon Lake's "Cultural Experiment Space Hosu," the illustration exhibition "A Day of Drawing, A Day of Longing" continues until May 1, and at Songpa Book Museum, the only public book museum in Korea, the special planned exhibition "The Golden Age of Magazines" runs until August 30.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su said, "Next year, an 'Art Gallery,' a specialized exhibition facility, will also be established at the east lake of Seokchon Lake," adding, "We will actively utilize various cultural and artistic facilities to help residents heal their tired bodies and minds through culture and arts after COVID-19, recover their daily lives, and improve their quality of life."

Students viewing the special exhibition commemorating the opening, "Setting Intentions, Building a Nation"

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) conducted a tour of the newly opened Jungnang Mangwoo Space at Mangwoo History and Culture Park on the 12th with 60 sixth-grade students from Sinmuk Elementary School.

The tour proceeded through Mangwoo Media Hall, Mangwoo Cafe, and the educational exhibition room of Jungnang Mangwoo Space, followed by a visit to the burial site of independence activist Yu Gwan-sun at Mangwoo History and Culture Park. Students learned about 60 modern and contemporary historical figures resting in the park and viewed the opening commemorative special exhibition "Establishing Will, Establishing a Nation," which features records of eight independence activists awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation.

The opening tour received great enthusiasm from students who had limited opportunities for field trips and other activities due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. One participating student shared, "It was frustrating to just sit in the classroom wearing masks, but it was really great to go outdoors with friends for the first time, study history, and enjoy cherry blossoms."

Jungnang-gu Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said, "I hope this tour was like a refreshing rain that comforted the tired hearts of students who longed for outdoor activities," and added, "We will strive to provide more diverse programs for many students to experience at Mangwoo History and Culture Park, which holds historical value."

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) is promoting a riverside landscape improvement project along urban streams such as Jeongneungcheon and Seongbukcheon.

By June, the district plans to plant 15,580 shrubs of seven species including four-season roses and azaleas, and 26,580 herbaceous plants of five species including lilies and daylilies in idle spaces and vacant lots in the green areas along Jeongneungcheon and Seongbukcheon, providing eco-friendly green spaces for many local residents using the riversides.

Through this project, the district aims to increase green areas by planting trees along the ecologically important riversides and restore the health and naturalness of the river ecosystems.

Additionally, by creating forests that can reduce fine dust, it is expected to promote the health of residents engaging in outdoor activities.

Dongdaemun-gu Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol stated, "Through the Jeongneungcheon and Seongbukcheon landscape improvement project, we will provide a pleasant and beautiful resting space for residents who have been exhausted by COVID-19 for a long time."