Museum PR Announcements News and Information

National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea Deoksugung Project

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea presents Deoksugung Project, an exhibition on view 9 September–2 December 2012.


Lyu Jaeha, Time, 2012. Junghwajeon of Deoksugung. National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea Commission

The project consists of nine artworks installed at the palace’s six halls: Junghwajeon, Haenggak, Hamnyeongjeon, Deokhongjeon, Seogeodang and Jeonggwanheon, and the rear garden, for 105 days, from September 19 (Wednesday) to December 2 (Sunday). There will also be an exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Deoksugung for 55 days from September 19 (Wednesday) to October 28 (Sunday), presenting a collection of about 50 works of art, video, documentary and archive items produced during the preparation of the project.

The project aims at giving a glimpse into the meaning of cultural heritage around us via a selection of works of art produced by Korean contemporary artists, including installations displayed across the entire palace. The project includes some of the Korea’s most admired artists today such as Do Ho Suh, Jung Youngdoo, Yeesookyung, Lim Hangtaek, Kim Young Seok, Chung Seoyoung, Choi Sunghun + Park Sunmin, Ryu HanKil, Lyu Jaeha, Ha Jihoon, and Sung Kiwan, fashion designers, dancers and handicraft artists. The event consists of a variety of cultural programs including an exhibition of traditional carving, installations, sound art, performances and concerts.

The highlight of the Deoksugung Project is presentation of works of installation art some of the Korea’s top artists created to mark the turbulent history of the palace. Artists exploit the power of imagination to reinterpret the weight of history the palace had to bear, committing themselves to the impossible task of restoring the times gone by and trying to find abstract vocabulary that can help reveal the intangible spiritual values in them. One involves reading a bewitching story about the royal court while another “media mapping” that covers the colorful façade and the tiled roof of Junghwajeon Hall, creates a wonderful scenery for night viewers.

The project also includes an educational exhibition specially prepared for children and youths. Held in October, this event will encourage young art lovers to move around the entire palace for the works of art that would guide them to the depth of Korean history related to Deoksugung.

Viewers participating in the project will be offered a rare opportunity to witness the creative reinterpretation of the valuable cultural heritage retained in Deoksugung via profound modern aesthetic ideas, and experience the “Deoksugung Living Today” in an extraordinary scheme of time and space in which present coexists with past and future.

Curated by Inhye Kim.

National Museum of Art, Deoksugung
99 Sejong-daero Jung-gu, Seoul 100-120 South Korea
Admission is free (Tickets required for Deoksugung)
Hours: Daily except Monday, 9–21h
T 82 2 2188 6114
www.moca.go.kr