Yeongdeok-gun Successfully Concludes This Year's 'Upcycling Art Festa'

Upcycling, Performance, Exhibition, Experience, and Everyday Culture Combined in an 'Environmental Festival'

Issues related to the global environment, such as the climate crisis, are worldwide problems, and many companies and local governments are seeking solutions.

The Yeongdeok Cultural Tourism Foundation has been creating new cultural content that combines 'upcycling' and everyday arts since last year to culturally overcome these challenges.

Under the name '2023 Upcycling Art Festa,' a large-scale environmental festival was held from October 28 to November 5 this year, combining performances, exhibitions, experiences, symposiums, a non-motorized car race, and a local living culture club festival.

Yeongdeok Cultural Tourism Foundation Successfully Concludes the 2023 Yeongdeok Upcycling Art Festa.

Upcycling is a compound word of upgrade and recycling, meaning an activity called 'new use' that goes beyond recycling waste to create new value.

At the 2023 Upcycling Art Festa, three major themed events?Upcycling Art Choice, Upcycling Non-Motorized Car Race, and Yeongdeok Living Culture Club Festival?were held simultaneously on the same stage, creating synergy.

First, the 'Upcycling Art Choice' featured various genres of performances addressing environmental issues, including upcycled instrument performances, theater, and circus. Twenty teams, such as the Yusangtong Project’s 'Sound Circus,' 64J(Jul)’s 'Moklimsam,' and the Jeulgyeochagi Theater Company’s 'Big Wave,' held about 30 special performances on environmental themes.

Additionally, international artists like Sakai John (Japan), who performed with discarded tires, and Chris Bertelsen (New Zealand), who used local objects to convey messages, along with 15 domestic artists, showcased upcycled artworks made from waste materials.

Besides artists, works created by residents and youth from 12 institutions and organizations?including Yeongdeok Living Culture Center, Yeongdeok County Youth Culture House, Yeongdeok Health Center, Yejoo Culture and Arts Center, village communities such as Goraesan Village, Yeong4-ri Village, and Information Yeongdeok Snow Crab Preservation Village, as well as the Baruge Salgi Movement Yeongdeok Women’s Association and Yeongdeok Tourism Promotion Council?were also exhibited.

At the same time, audiences participated in making Christmas trees and recycled sotdae (traditional Korean wooden poles), leaving Christmas sculptures to be installed after the event. Various programs, including a silkscreen experience using Yeongdeok County manhole covers, also provided enjoyment to Yeongdeok residents.

The foundation also designated the event period as Yeongdeok Living Culture Week, hosting the 'Udadada Festival,' a Yeongdeok Living Culture Club Festival, and the youth arts festival 'Orakkarak Festival.'

These events served as stages for Yeongdeok residents and youth who love art to freely showcase their talents, receiving great responses. During the festival, a free resource circulation market called Anabada was also operated, providing an opportunity to experience the resource circulation economy.

A representative of the Yeongdeok Cultural Tourism Foundation said, “The 2023 Upcycling Art Festa, held over nine days, became an opportunity to vibrantly change the day and night scenery of Deokgokcheon in Yeongdeok-eup,” adding, “We thank the Yeongdeok residents who filled the outdoor stage with passionate energy, enjoying performances even on chilly nights, and we will offer even greater enjoyment next year with more meticulous planning and execution.”