"Going to the Hotel to See an Exhibition"... Hotel Industry's Active 'Art Hocance' Movement

Hotel Industry Unveils Package Products Incorporating Exhibition Content
Offering Tickets Linked to Domestic and International Exhibitions... Artist Collaboration Goods Also Gifted
'Art Hocance' Including Artwork Docent Tour Within Hotels Arranged

Grand Josun Jeju, Edition Alliance Docent Tour.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As social distancing measures due to COVID-19 are lifted and outdoor activities become more active, the hotel industry is increasingly introducing package products that incorporate exhibition content. The approaches vary, including promotions that provide tickets linked to domestic and international exhibitions, packages offering goods in collaboration with artists, and "art staycations" featuring docent tours that deeply introduce artworks within the hotel.

Grand Josun Jeju collaborates with the global art edition platform "Edition Alliance" to offer a docent tour program where guests can listen to explanations and appreciate various artworks exhibited throughout the hotel. Edition Alliance is a platform that curates works from international galleries and historically significant print workshops, introducing diverse artworks to help Korean artists expand globally. It is present in three locations: Chosun Palace Seoul Gangnam, Grand Josun Busan, and Grand Josun Jeju.

The docent tour for guests staying at Grand Josun Jeju is a program where participants view and listen to explanations of representative artworks within the hotel alongside professional curators from Edition Alliance. The main building and Hill Suite building of Grand Josun Jeju each exhibit works by domestic and international artists such as Ugo Rondinone, Gary Hume, and Choi Jeonghwa. The docent tours are held every Friday with a capacity of six people; the main building tour runs from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and the Hill Suite building tour will be held from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM starting in June. Reservations can be made by phone through the hotel activity center or on-site at Edition Alliance on the 5th floor of the main building.

Walkerhill Hotel & Resort, 'Print Bakery Walkerhill Flagship Store - Project Blank'.

Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts has partnered with the art popularization brand "Print Bakery" to open an open gallery and sales space called "Print Bakery Walkerhill Flagship Store - Project Blank." The open gallery space introduces famous artists affiliated with Jangheung Gana Atelier, operated by Print Bakery, about 5 to 6 times a year, providing customers with opportunities to experience various forms of art content such as visual arts, installations, and music up close. Next to the exhibition space, an art shop sells prints, posters, rugs, tableware, phone cases, and more. Currently, the Print Bakery Walkerhill Flagship Store is hosting a solo exhibition titled "Every Day Every Moment" by artist Kim Je-eon. This exhibition, running until July 5, features over 60 paintings by Kim Je-eon.

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul holds a permanent art exhibition in the club building lobby. In collaboration with Gallery Planet, it continuously introduces works by renowned domestic and international artists and emerging talents in fields such as art and photography. Until June 6, it features the "Flower Portrait" series by artist Heo Bo-ri. The Flower Portrait series is a new work abstracting plant images seen during walks onto flat surfaces, symbolizing the hardships and adversities humans face in life and the will to live gained through those experiences.

Andaz Seoul Gangnam's first-floor lounge, Arts (A'+Z), is hosting an exhibition by artist Heonjineori in collaboration with the art curation platform Openwall until June 30. The exhibition aims to expand the hotel's spaces into artists' activity areas and provide visitors with diverse attractions beyond just accommodation. Andaz Seoul Gangnam showcases works by emerging artists every two months, featuring pieces that use warm and vivid colors in primary and pastel tones to evoke excitement and refreshment for guests. Meanwhile, the Arts lounge offers desserts, pastries, and various beverages reflecting the latest trends and is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Lotte Resort Jeju Art Villas celebrates its 10th anniversary this year by unveiling a new project with architect Seung Hyo-sang, who was the chief planner at its opening. Architect Seung Hyo-sang completed the Art Villas in 2012 on a site in Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo City, Jeju, together with his colleagues and world-renowned architects Dominique Perrault and Kengo Kuma. Since the 1st of this month, Art Villas has been offering a "Seung Hyo-sang Curated Architecture Tour" as a five-hour one-day program every Sunday for guests. The program is planned by architect Seung Hyo-sang himself and guided by his disciple and architect Yang Hyun-joon, who also participated in the Art Villas architectural project. The tour includes internal docent explanations of each architect's work within the Art Villas complex, followed by an Art Codelia lunch dining experience, and then an external Jeju architecture tour. The tour course starts at Chusagwan, a work by architect Seung Hyo-sang, passes through Alteure Airfield, and concludes at the Bontae Museum, which houses architecture by Tadao Ando, one of the world's top three architects.

The Westin Chosun Seoul offers the "J & The World of Tim Burton" package until July 15, allowing guests to enjoy a cultural staycation by viewing the special exhibition "The World of Tim Burton" and enjoying bingsu and cocktails at the Lounge & Bar. The special exhibition "The World of Tim Burton," held until September 12 at the Design Exhibition Hall on Basement Level 2 of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), is a world tour exhibition by the globally beloved film director Tim Burton, known for his dreamlike stories and unique characters, boasting the largest scale ever. The exhibition features over 520 works, including about 150 pieces shown for the first time in Korea and abroad, such as sketches, drawings, sculptures, films, photos, and installations, arranged chronologically to showcase Tim Burton's works and projects over the past 50 years. The package includes two exhibition tickets, a room stay, and a 15% discount coupon for bingsu at the Lounge & Bar.

Plaza Hotel, operated by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, offers the "Check-in Art Package" in partnership with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art until the 31st of this month, providing an experience of art and luxury hotel rest simultaneously. The package is available in two types: "Day" and "Morning." The Day package includes two integrated admission tickets to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, one night in a deluxe hotel room, a museum eco bag, and a Plaza Hotel limited edition keyring. The Morning package adds breakfast for two at the buffet restaurant Seven Square. Guests can also use the free art shuttle bus to the museum via the hotel's rear entrance drop-off area.

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul offers the "Kids Dreaming Art" package until November 27, allowing families to create special memories together. The package includes one night in a Magnifique or Magnifique Family Twin room and gifts guests with a kids' tableware set and canvas bag by the happiness painter Eva Armisen. It also includes two tickets to Eva Armisen's special exhibition, held at the Yongsan War Memorial until December 4, which is the largest scale ever.

Glad Hotel presents the "Romantic Days" package until September 30, allowing guests to enjoy a city staycation and cultural life for everyday relaxation. The package includes one night in a room, two tickets to the "Anyway, Love: Romantic Days" exhibition at D Museum, and a late checkout service at 1:00 PM. This exhibition is the first special exhibition by D Museum, which recently opened near Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. It offers experiences of various moments and emotions of romance through works in photography, comics, videos, illustrations, and installations. The exhibition features 23 artists, including masters of K-content comics, young photographers, and illustrators, showcasing over 300 works themed on love. It is inspired by scenes from seven representative Korean romance comics. The Romantic Days package is available at Seoul Glad Hotels (Glad Yeouido, Glad Mapo, Glad Gangnam COEX Center).