National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to Host MMCA Academy... Exploring Contemporary Art Movements and Key Artists

Adult Education Program on the History of Korean Contemporary Art
Every Thursday Evening, September 25 to November 20, for Eight Weeks

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) announced on September 12 that it will host "MMCA Academy - Museum Walking Through the Times" Season I every Thursday at 7 p.m. from September 25 to November 20 for eight weeks. The program will take place on the mezzanine level of the MMCA Multi-purpose Hall at the MMCA Seoul branch.

'MMCA Academy - Museum Walking Through the Times' Season I Poster. Provided by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

"MMCA Academy - Museum Walking Through the Times" is a newly launched, seasonal adult education program by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. In conjunction with the permanent exhibition "Highlights of Korean Contemporary Art" in Seoul, the program will explore key trends in contemporary art alongside representative artists. Through a total of eight lectures, participants will gain an understanding of the flow of Korean art history within its broader historical context.

The first lecture will be delivered by Yang Jungmu, a professor at Korea National University of Arts, who will discuss "The Concept and History of Abstract Art," examining the modern turning points in Korean art. The second lecture, led by Kim Inhye, head curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, will focus on Kim Whanki and Yoo Youngkuk, pioneers of Korean abstract art, explaining significant shifts in the history of painting. In the third lecture, Jeon Yusin, a curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, will highlight female modernist painters Lee Seungja and Choi Wookkyung, exploring the significance of women artists who have been marginalized in traditional art history narratives. The fourth lecture, by Jung Moojeong, a professor at Duksung Women’s University, will cover Art Informel and Abstract Expressionism. The fifth lecture, by Park Youngtaek, a professor at Kyonggi University, will address the international context of Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting). In the sixth lecture, Woo Jungah, a professor at POSTECH, will analyze the individual variations among Dansaekhwa artists such as Yun Hyongkeun, Kim Changyeul, and Chung Sanghwa. The seventh lecture, by Jung Yeonsim, a professor at Hongik University, will explore new possibilities in contemporary art, focusing on artists Lee Ufan and Park Seobo. The final, eighth session will take the form of a special "Museum Roundtable," where lecturers and participants will freely discuss and bring the first season to a close.

Participation in the program is free of charge. Applications will be accepted through the museum's website starting at 9 a.m. on September 12. A total of 50 adults will be selected by lottery and individually notified on September 22. Selected participants must attend all sessions; partial attendance is not allowed. A certificate of completion will be issued to those who attend at least 80% of the sessions. Further details are available on the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art website.

"MMCA Academy - Museum Walking Through the Times" will continue beyond this year, with plans for Season II focusing on experimental art and Season III on contemporary art. In cooperation with the Korea Educational Broadcasting System, all lectures will later be broadcast on EBS and the official YouTube channel of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Kim Sunghee, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, stated, "'MMCA Academy' will serve as a platform connecting academic research and public education at the museum. I hope that, in addition to on-site participants, broadcasting through EBS will provide more people with opportunities to experience Korean contemporary art."