Held from the 19th to the 27th at Yeongildae Beach
Attention on Artistic Transformation: Cold and Solid, Yet Hot and Flexible
The Pohang Cultural Foundation will host the '2024 Pohang Steel Art Festival' from the 19th to the 27th at the Yeongildae Beach area in Pohang.
This year's festival, which had previously focused on large-scale exhibitions from 2012 to 2023, will embrace the theme of 'transformation,' aiming for comprehensive changes in its operation, as well as in the participation of artists, visitors, and corporations.
Main programs include the themed exhibition 'Steel, Still Moving Now' and 'Revisiting Steel,' which reinterprets existing works by combining them with various genres to create new content.
Additionally, a variety of programs will be offered, such as the 'Steel Art Tour,' which will take place throughout the city of Pohang under different concepts, and the 'Steel Forum,' which will explore not only the artistic value of steel art but also the city's aesthetic narrative and discussions on industrialization.
In particular, this year's festival goes beyond a simple art event by reconstructing the city's aesthetic identity and narrative through steel art.
Participating artists plan to reinterpret the materiality of steel as art, while also highlighting its industrial and craft value to newly establish Pohang's urban aesthetics, encouraging art to function as a medium that conveys social meaning beyond mere aesthetic experience.
Furthermore, on the 25th, a forum will be held at Lahan Hotel under the theme 'Transformation of the Pohang Steel Art Festival: How Should We Prepare?' to present models for revitalizing the local economy and integrating art, centered around steel.
This forum will specifically discuss the direction of the Steel Art Festival, the potential for industrialization based on the artistic value of steel art, and the future vision of the iron craft industry.
The themed exhibition 'Steel, Still Moving Now' breaks away from a display-focused format, providing artists with opportunities to directly engage with visitors and showcase their creative worlds.
The first section of the themed exhibition, 'Connection,' features artists who have previously participated in the festival, returning to shed new light on their works and attempt fresh interpretations of the materiality of steel.
The second section, the experiential exhibition 'Knocking, Variation of Steel,' offers visitors the chance to experience the process of artistic creation by hammering steel alongside the artists.
This year's festival introduces the 'All Day Steel' program during weekdays, moving away from exhibition-centered programming to offer activities such as meditation, yoga, and barefoot walking, allowing participants to enjoy both art and relaxation.
'Steel Meong' will operate a picnic zone alongside steel art installations, providing visitors with a space to relax. The 'Steel Art Tour' will offer a special experience where guests can explore steel art pieces installed throughout Pohang with professional docents, appreciating the works and discovering the artistic value of steel in new ways.
Lee Sangmo, CEO of the Pohang Cultural Foundation, stated, "This year's Pohang Steel Art Festival will go beyond simply transforming steel into art, becoming a venue where citizens can share and enjoy the value and meaning of steel together," adding, "We ask for your interest and participation in the transformation of steel, which may be cold and hard, but is hotter and more flexible than anything else."
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