Creating a Citizen Cultural Exchange Hub Utilizing 'Container'
An unusual container space has been established at Madong Reservoir Ecological Park in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do.
Gwangyang City (Gwangyang Cultural City Center) announced that on the 9th (Wednesday), it will open the ‘Cultural Trading Post’ using containers as a cultural hub space for citizens at Madong Reservoir Ecological Park.
Created as part of the preliminary cultural city project, the ‘Cultural Trading Post’ serves as a hub for exchanging citizen culture not only within Gwangyang City but also with surrounding cities, providing citizens with diverse cultural enjoyment and exchange experiences.
In particular, the ‘Jungma Trading Post,’ unveiled to the public for the first time on this day, is composed by connecting three container units. Each unit can be used as an exhibition hall, meeting room, and cultural experience room, and outdoor programs such as performances and events can be held on the front lawn.
The art containers that make up the ‘Jungma Trading Post’ embody various values. Above all, the containers used in the space configuration are used containers donated free of charge by five companies belonging to the Yeosu Gwangyang Port Development Council (hereinafter referred to as the Development Council).
Export containers, which were the backbone of the logistics industry transporting goods worldwide, have now been reborn with a second use as carriers of citizen culture. This can be seen as a shift in role from logistics trade to cultural trade.
Moreover, in addition to the five companies belonging to the aforementioned Development Council, another five companies contributed economically by transporting, preparing the foundation, and maintaining the containers to ensure they were properly positioned.
The participation of companies in establishing the Jungma Trading Post holds significant meaning as a major step toward creating a sustainable cultural city Gwangyang through public-private-industry collaboration.
Another noteworthy point is that the space was created by concretizing citizens’ ideas. The Gwangyang Cultural City Center collected opinions from citizens who will use this space and planned and prepared it as a user-centered space.
In April, 105 citizens ranging from elementary school students to adults gathered and conducted five design workshops under the theme ‘The Art Container I Imagine.’ The results and records of the citizen workshops will be exhibited in one unit and unveiled at the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony, starting at 10 a.m. on the 9th (Wednesday), will include ▲pre-ceremony congratulatory performances ▲presentation of appreciation plaques ▲designation of the Cultural Trading Post and unveiling of the art containers ▲screening of the citizen participation video .
Park Si-hoon, director of the Gwangyang Cultural City Center, said, “Gwangyang Port boasts the number one import-export cargo volume in Korea, making Gwangyang a center of trade,” adding, “If the vibrant symbol of trade, the ‘container,’ can be filled not only with goods but also with culture, the daily lives of Gwangyang citizens will become richer.”
He continued, “I hope the Cultural Trading Post, created together by citizens, companies, and local governments, will blend into citizens’ daily lives,” and “The art containers will be remodeled not only for the ‘Jungma Trading Post’ but also into mobile units that travel inside and outside Gwangyang, spreading local cultural products and contents.”
In addition to the Jungma Trading Post, a total of five locations including Okryong Trading Post (627 Sinjae-ro, Okryong-myeon), Daap Trading Post (mobile container), Sarasil Art Village (201 Sagok-ro, Gwangyang-eup), and Inseori Park (65 Nammun-gil, Gwangyang-eup) will be operated starting this year, with specialized cultural exchange programs conducted in connection with surrounding cities.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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