Answering Realistic Questions... Opening of the 'Gonggi Nori Craft Trend Fair'

Opening on the 8th at COEX Hall C... Seeking Solutions for Loss of Humanity and More

The largest craft festival and exhibition in Korea opened on the 8th at COEX Hall C in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This is the annual "Craft Trend Fair" organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation. Serving as a platform connecting consumers and artisans, this year saw participation from over 330 craft artists, galleries, workshops, and institutions. The general director is Yang Tae-oh, an interior designer and CEO of Taeoyang Studio.

The theme is "Questions of Reality, Answers of Craft." It raises questions about three issues: standardized daily life and loss of humanity, and the destruction of nature and the environment, seeking solutions through forty-two craft works. Bae Yang-hee, Director of Visual Arts and Design at the Ministry’s Cultural Arts Policy Office, explained, "It will be a place that creatively inherits tradition and conveys human sensibility, presenting questions and answers through the nature of craft."

In the Gallery Hall, high-quality works from professional galleries and cultural arts institutions are showcased, while the Brand Hall features marketable crafts from craft companies and workshops. There are also the Creative Workshop Hall exhibiting original crafts by skilled artisans, the University Hall introducing creative crafts by university (graduate) students, and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation Project Hall presenting the foundation’s project outcomes. Twelve craft experts provide detailed guidance.

The exhibited works can also be viewed online. They were previewed on the official website and Instagram in June, and the theme hall is also implemented as an online exhibition space (Viewing Room). The first day of the event is a business day. General admission is available from the 9th to the 11th. For more details, please refer to the official website.