Seoul City Strengthens Collaboration with Private Companies
Sculpture Production at Open Songhyeon Green Plaza
Hyundai Motor Group will participate in the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale. The Seoul Biennale is an international urban architecture event hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Hyundai Motor Group will be responsible for creating sculptures that explore the relationship between space and people from the perspective of future mobility.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on June 10, Hyundai Motor Group will take part in the main exhibition of the 5th Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale, which will be held at the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza starting September 26. To facilitate this, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Hyundai Motor Group signed a business agreement at Seoul City Hall on June 5. Attending the signing ceremony were Ahn Jungwook, Director of Future Space at Seoul Metropolitan Government, Hong Raewook, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Group Global Design Management Team, and Thomas Heatherwick, Chief Director.
Seoul Metropolitan Government and Hyundai Motor Group signed a business agreement on the 5th at the 8th-floor conference room of Seoul City Hall to participate in the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale thematic exhibition. Attending the agreement ceremony were Ahn Jungwook, Seoul Future Space Director (from left), Hong Raewook, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Group Global Design Management Team, and Thomas Heatherwick, Chief Director. Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Biennale, first held in 2017, is an international urban architecture event that takes place every two years. It has established itself as a platform where experts and citizens from around the world gather to explore the future of cities. Now in its fifth edition, this year’s Seoul Biennale is directed by world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick under the theme “Radically More Human: Architecture for People.”
The main exhibition will feature one large-scale sculpture and 24 outdoor installations, offering a new perspective on the relationship between urban architecture and people. The outdoor installations with Hyundai Motor Group’s participation will include works by domestic architects, international artists, and citizen-led projects. Each piece conveys the message that “architecture is for people, and every building should be interesting, approachable, and emotionally resonant.”
Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will directly design and produce some of the outdoor installations. The company plans to express inspiration about the relationship between space and people from the perspective of future mobility, utilizing various materials and patterns in the facade. The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects that by supporting the creation of sculptures with outstanding artists from diverse fields, it will contribute to the spread of urban architectural culture in Seoul.
In particular, through its participation in this year’s Seoul Biennale, Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand its design capabilities into the field of urban architecture and actively communicate its unique design philosophy to a broader audience. Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Design Officer (CDO) and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Hyundai Motor Group Global Design Center, stated, “Collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government is a practical demonstration of our deep consideration for cities and architecture as a people-centered mobility company. We look forward to engaging with more citizens through the exhibition pieces created based on Hyundai Motor Group’s design and technological capabilities.”
Ahn Jungwook, Director of Future Space at Seoul Metropolitan Government, also commented, “Through this year’s Seoul Biennale, I hope that a variety of people-centered urban architecture ideas will be realized, allowing many citizens to experience and relate to them. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to work with the private sector to make the city even more attractive.”
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