Opening Ceremony in the Rain Runs Until December 1
Theme: 'Pansori - Resonance for All'
72 Artists from 30 Countries Participate... 31 Pavilions
Mayor Kang: "Deep Resonance Born from the Spirit of May 18"
The opening ceremony of the 15th Gwangju Biennale began on the evening of the 6th amid rain, embarking on an 86-day journey. [Photo by Gwangju City]
The 15th Gwangju Biennale has officially opened. Marking its 30th anniversary this year, the Gwangju Biennale has embarked on an 86-day journey from the 7th to December 1st under the theme "Pansori? The Resonance of All."
On the afternoon of the 6th, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Gi-jung) held the "15th Gwangju Biennale Opening Ceremony" at the outdoor performance hall in Jungoe Park, Buk-gu.
The opening event was attended by Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju and Chairman of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation; Park Yang-woo, CEO of the Gwangju Biennale; Nicolas Bourriaud, Artistic Director; Yong Ho-sung, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan; Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party; as well as artists participating in the main exhibition and pavilions of the Biennale.
Key figures from the international art world also joined, including Richard Armstrong, Director of the Guggenheim Museum; Mami Kataoka, Director of the Mori Art Museum; Lisa Phillips, Director of the New Museum; and Jean-Fran?ois B?lisle, Director of the National Gallery of Canada. Diplomats from Argentina, Austria, the Philippines, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Kenya, Vietnam, and Thailand also attended, adding prestige to the event.
The opening ceremony proceeded with the opening declaration, welcome speeches, congratulatory remarks, the appointment ceremony of promotional ambassadors NCT WISH, an overview of the exhibition and introduction of participating artists, followed by a Pansori performance.
Prior to the event, a preview of the exhibition was held for art professionals and journalists to wish for the success of the 15th Gwangju Biennale.
Mayor Kang Gi-jung of Gwangju stated, "Born from the spirit of May 18, the Gwangju Biennale has been recognized as one of the world's top three biennales over the past 30 years thanks to the tireless efforts of many, establishing itself as an art festival attracting global attention. We hope you fully experience the cultural and artistic atmosphere unfolding in Gwangju, the center of Asian culture, and leave with a deep resonance in your heart."
The main exhibition of the 15th Gwangju Biennale will be held from the 7th to December 1st at eight exhibition spaces including the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, and Sori Forest in Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu. A total of 72 artists from 30 countries will showcase over 300 works.
During the same period, pavilion exhibitions featuring 31 countries and cities will be held at venues such as the National Asia Culture Center and Gwangju Museum of Art, turning the entire city of Gwangju into a vibrant art scene.
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