[Interview] Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon District, "Nowon Moonlight Walk Establishes Itself as Seoul's Representative Light Festival Beyond Nowon"

Exhibition of Over 150 Works by 18 Domestic and International Artists (Teams) Along 2.5km Section of Danghyeoncheon Until November 5
Theme "Alchemy of Light," Featuring Works by German and Taiwanese Artists
Expanded Participation from Residents Including People with Developmental Disabilities, Reclusive Youth, and Multicultural Families
Nowon Where Culture Flows Like a River Along the Well-Maintained Danghyeoncheon Trail

“At the well-maintained Danghyeoncheon walking trail, a light festival is being held under the theme ‘Alchemy of Light.’ Now in its fourth year, the Nowon Moonlight Walk has expanded to include works created with citizen participation and invited overseas artists from Germany and Taiwan to attempt various experiments and collaborations.”

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon District, Seoul, introduced the Nowon Moonlight Walk, which ran until the 5th.

Until now, Nowon-gu was almost a cultural desert. To see performances or exhibitions, residents had to travel far by car, making cultural life as distant as the physical distance for busy citizens. During the 7th local government term, well-maintained healing towns, walking trails, and parks were developed to present high-quality concerts and exhibitions. His idea is to make Nowon a city where culture flows like a river, allowing residents to experience and enjoy high-level culture without going far.

Since 2018, Mayor Oh has initiated the ‘Danghyeoncheon Rebirth Project,’ creating a musical fountain and plaza-type ground fountain, Danghyeon Light Road, and themed specialized flower beds, transforming the urban area into a space where people can connect with nature and relax. Then, culture and art were introduced, with the representative example being the ‘Nowon Moonlight Walk.’

The light sculpture festival, held every October since 2020, attracted 660,000 visitors last year, with an average of 40,000 visitors per day, growing into Nowon-gu’s representative festival combining popularity and artistry.

Mayor Oh said, “Eighteen domestic and international artists (teams) participated, presenting 42 works and over 150 pieces along the 2.5 km stretch of Danghyeoncheon,” adding, “You can encounter works by famous domestic artists as well as artists from Germany and Taiwan along this nearby walking path.”

Notable works include ‘Lunar Crescendo,’ a collaboration between German media artist Timo Helgert and Apollon Immersive Works; ‘Illusion Waterfall’ by Taiwanese artist team UxU Studio; ‘Cheonligangsan-do’ by Korea’s representative media artist Lee Lee-nam; ‘Surreal Mundane: Moonlight Walk’ by Jang Ji-yeon; ‘The Alchemist’s Castle’ by Gadget Workshop; and ‘Breath’ by Park Bong-gi.

Citizen participation works also feature prominently, with about 850 pieces across 10 works on display. ‘Samramansang,’ created by artist Hong Hyun-joo, Hancheon Middle School, and Gadget Workshop, includes over 200 items made by youth from recycled materials representing people, animals, and plants, exhibited on three mountain-shaped sculptures inspired by a 12-meter-scale Goguryeo mural.

Works completed together by local Nowon artists, people with developmental disabilities, reclusive youth, and multicultural families are also on view. ‘Forest of Nowon’ by Lee Chae-won is a stainless steel sculpture shaped like Nowon apartments, over which multicultural families freely drew their first impressions of Nowon and Danghyeoncheon landscapes using markers. ‘Expanding Drawing,’ created by artist Kim Ji-hye and reclusive youth, expresses social issues of isolation and personal situations, embodying hopes for mutual growth. ‘Crossing the Milky Way, Honghak Honghak Honghak’ by Jung In-sung is a collaborative work with people with developmental disabilities from Seongmin Welfare Center in the area.

Mayor Oh said, “We wanted to create a festival that various citizens directly participate in and build together,” adding, “We hope that both participants and viewers can comfort each other through the artworks.”

Also, ‘Fusion’ by artist Ahn Kyung-jin was created with youth from Bulamgol Happiness Development Center, who decided on the theme and implementation method, with the artist producing the work. When the raccoon and cat living in Danghyeoncheon, representing North and South Korea, take the fusion pose from Dragon Ball, a large shadow in the shape of the Korean Peninsula appears on the wall. ‘Eclipse’ by artist Joo Hong expresses the interest and love of youth from Gongneung-dong Happiness Development Center for the flora and fauna of Danghyeoncheon through the artist’s artistic skills. This program commissioning public artworks to professional artists is the first of its kind in Korea.

Mayor Oh stated, “Culture should not be marginalized,” and “We paid close attention to ensure that both people with disabilities and those without can enjoy it together.” A ‘disabled taxi stand’ was installed at the Danghyeoncheon ground fountain, and audio guides for the visually impaired were provided for all artworks.

Mayor Oh emphasized, “Last year’s Moonlight Walk evaluation pointed out a lack of resting areas,” and “We have made thorough preparations to address the shortcomings and make this year’s festival better than last year’s.”

The district newly created three Moonlight Rest Areas, elevating them into artistic spaces such as Haenim Dalnim and chess-themed areas. Simple snacks were also provided through food trucks.

Additionally, every Saturday, various performances were held at the Danghyeoncheon ground fountain near Seongseo University, offering healing to those on the walking trail.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I hope people find comfort and strength in their difficult daily lives by witnessing these miracles made of light,” and “Going forward, the Nowon Moonlight Walk will establish itself as a representative light sculpture festival not only for Nowon but for Seoul as a whole.”