Visitors Flock Ahead of Gwangju Biennale Closing Ceremony

Jeong Eui-hwa and Jeong Se-gyun, Former Speakers, Take Second Step
Overseas Art World Also Visits Han Hye-jin, Kian84, and Others

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung is taking a commemorative photo with former National Assembly Speaker Jeong Ui-hwa after viewing the artworks at the Buk-gu Gwangju Biennale on the 24th. Photo by Gwangju City

A week before the closing of the 15th Gwangju Biennale, final visits from prominent domestic and international figures and art world professionals continue.

According to Gwangju City on the 25th, former National Assembly Speaker Jeong Ui-hwa visited the Gwangju Biennale again after 10 years, following his visit to the 10th Gwangju Biennale in 2014. Former Speaker Jeong is an honorary citizen of Gwangju and has led efforts since 1991 to resolve regional animosities, promote harmony between Yeongnam and Honam regions, and support balanced regional development.

Earlier, on the 16th, former Prime Minister and National Assembly Speaker Jeong Se-gyun also visited the Gwangju Biennale. This was his second visit since the 7th Gwangju Biennale in 2008. He viewed the exhibition and wrote in the guestbook, “The Gwangju Biennale will be eternal.”

In September, former President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook attracted attention by visiting the Gwangju Biennale for the second consecutive year.

Visits from overseas art museum directors, curators, and other art professionals have also continued. These include the directors of the Guggenheim Museum New York, New Museum New York, Mori Art Museum Japan, ZKM Museum Germany, MoMA PS1 New York, M+ Museum Hong Kong, Art Basel Hong Kong representative, Asia Society Museum New York, HAM Helsinki Art Museum, and executives of the International Committee for Modern and Contemporary Art Museums, among other major international cultural and art institutions and figures.

Lisa Phillips, director of the New Museum New York, repeatedly praised the exhibition as “excellent,” stating, “The layering of sounds is superb, and experiencing the exhibition with sound was a new experience.” Mami Kataoka, director of the Mori Art Museum, said, “I feel a change in the identity of the Gwangju Biennale,” adding, “Even if the works do not directly address May 18, the spirit of May 18 is embodied in the exhibited works.”

Officials from embassies of countries including New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Sweden, Argentina, Switzerland, and China also visited the pavilions of the 15th Gwangju Biennale.

Following the visit of NCT WISH, the promotional ambassador for the Gwangju Biennale, at the opening ceremony, famous model Han Hye-jin and broadcaster Gian84 visited the Biennale, posting videos on YouTube that combined artwork viewing with unique interpretations of the works. As of November, these videos have garnered 820,000 views, gaining significant popularity.

Meanwhile, the 15th Gwangju Biennale, titled “Pansori, A Soundscape of the 21st Century,” which opened on September 7 this year, is scheduled to close on December 1.