Live and Breathe Art at These Contemporary Art Sites in Korea
Art is of different forms. It could be a creation of someone or just nature in itself. As a person who truly enjoys abstract and contemporary art, Korea is one of the best places to visit. The fusion of modern designs, the ancient historical creations, and the colourful murals drawn by street artists contrast with one another in the most amazing ways. You could travel from one city to another but find very different artistic vibes in every place that you pass by. With Korea’s natural landscapes, people’s innovative designs and advanced technology, these creations stand out even more. They also make great Instagram pictures!
So if contemporary, modern and natural art is your thing, here are a few places you must visit on your next trip to Korea.
Youngwol Y Park
This is a modern art museum that is created with huge displays of modern art creations. It also includes a metal craft workshop, a cafe, and a wine fountain museum. But what makes this park even more exciting is that getting to it isn’t easy. There is no direct bus to it, and you might have to spend some time walking. But, once you get there, the striking red bamboo that stands out against the greenery is nothing short of an exemplary creation of contemporary art. Sculpted by Choi Ok Young, this creation is right at the entrance where you can truly enjoy it by capturing some of the best pictures.
Mural Villages
Mural villages have been created by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism to promote tourism in selected areas. Some murals in certain villages have also been painted by the residents themselves. These murals are simple and colourful, making them catch your eye easily. Many of these also use trick eye art designs to attract visitors and let them have fun while enjoying the paintings. You could find these murals in Ilhwa, Dongpirang, Suamgol, Mabijeong and many more other areas.
Similar to this, but with a whole different vibe is the French village Petite France in Gyeonggi-do. Unlike the mural village, Petite France is designed entirely around a concept of stars, flowers and the Little Prince. The constructions in Petite France also fit with its concept and differ greatly from the residential houses in the mural villages. This site is a famous drama location for many Korean dramas and reality shows too.
Daejung Geum Park
Daejung Geum park is a famous historical drama site and set. It is where Agust D’s Daechitwa music video, Extraordinary You historical comic scene and pretty much every other ancient drama, was filmed at. It is a site owned by MBC the broadcasting company and was opened to the public in 2011. It features constructions from Samguk, Goryeo and Joseon dynasties and spreads up to a total area of 2,500,000 m².
Gyeongbokgung Palace
No trip to Korea is ever complete without visiting the iconic Gyeongbokgung palace. The palace visits are combined with other cultural experiences that let you truly understand the traditions that took place back then. The palace in itself is a representation of the art styles back in the old days. Its unique designs also set it apart from other replicas, giving its own identity. To enter you might have to pay a fee, but if you were to visit the site by wearing one of the rented hanboks on the last Wednesday of every month, then entrance is completely free!
Artistic Libraries
Libraries in Korea are unlike anywhere else. When you think of a library, the general picture is a place that is quiet and dark, but in Korea libraries, their designs and the vibe are taken to a whole other level. Out of many such libraries, one that stands out the most is the Starfield Library and the Arc n Book. The Starfield Library is especially famous for its ceiling to floor bookshelves and the recently installed ‘City of Lights’.
Gamcheon Cultural Village
If there was ever a Greece in Korea, that would be Gamcheon cultural village in Busan. Similar to the Greece site, the houses in this village have been painted in colourful paints and are spread across the mountain plain they’ve been built on. They’re also designed with murals and paintings by the residents themselves and are a piece of art all on its own!
Jeju Stone Park
Just like a visit to the Gyeongbokgung palace is a must when you visit Korea, you cannot skip out on the Dol Harabengs in Jeju-do. These iconic stone carvings are in fact the face of Jeju. This park specifically has been founded on the myth of Seolmundae Halmang (Grandmother Seolmundae), who created Jeju Island and the stones of Obaek Janggun (Five Hundred Generals). The stones on display at this park have been created and collected for over 40 years by its director, Baek Woon Cheol.
Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel
Mungyeong Omija theme tunnel is located in Mungyeong in the north of Daegu. The tunnel is found in the Jinnamgyoban Area along with all the other scenic sites. It is designed with light installations and murals. There are also photo zones that let you take images while posing with the amazing background art. What’s even great is that there is a range of experience programs that you can join while visiting this venue.
Museum of Light
The Museum of Light or Hongje Yuyeon is a recent attraction that opened to the public from the 1st of July. It is located at the first residential and commercial complex in Seoul, the Yujin Plaza that was built in 1970. This construction was initially intended to prepare in the case of a North Korean invasion, but now after 50 years of being abandoned, it has been converted to a cultural space and is filled with artwork!
