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Art Theory_Art Insight The Conditions of the Post-Contemporary and the Future of Korean Contemporary Art (16): Asian Contemporary Art and Orientalism (II) — Is Asian Contemporary Art Free from Orientalism? BTS emerged in Korea and developed within the cultural and industrial framework of K-pop. Yet the market in which its music is produced and consumed, as well as its audience and influence, moved beyond Korea’s geographical boundaries long ago.
2026.08.25

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Introducing the latest trends and diverse movements in Korean contemporary art.

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Art Voice

Critical discourse and voices on key issues in the Korean contemporary art scene.
Art+_Art Voice What It Takes to Be a Cultural Powerhouse in the 21st Century — On the Search for a New Director of MMCA

On July 1, the Ministry of Personnel Management opened a public recruitment process for a new director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). The term of current director Kim Sung-hee expires this September. As the search began, the names of several potential candidates quickly started circulating within the Korean art world.

2026.08.18
Art+_Art Voice Can Korean Art Evolve from a Market into an Industry? Questions Raised by the Art Services Business Registration System and the Challenges Facing Korean Art

On July 26, 2026, the Art Services Business Registration System came into effect under the Art Promotion Act. Businesses operating in six categories—galleries, art auctions, art advisory services, art rental and sales, art appraisal, and art exhibitions—are now required to register with the relevant local authority.

2026.08.04
Art+_Art Voice The Changing Ecosystem of Korean Contemporary Art: From Nonprofit Spaces to Self-Sustaining Independent Spaces

Art spaces are more than venues for exhibiting works of art. They serve as vital intermediaries that discover new artists, generate critical discourse, and connect audiences, markets, and institutions. Changes in these spaces, therefore, are not simply matters of individual organizations adopting different modes of operation. They are important indicators of how the contemporary art ecosystem has evolved and the direction in which it is moving.

2026.07.21
Art+_Art Voice What Are Global Standards? The Criteria Korean Contemporary Art Needs to Connect with the World

In Korean society, internationalization and globalization emerged as major national agendas between the late 1980s and the mid-1990s. The 1988 Seoul Olympics was a symbolic event through which Korea began to present itself to the international community in a more visible and active way. In the 1990s, Korea rapidly entered the global order through democratization, market liberalization, cultural exchange, and participation in international organizations.

2026.07.07
Art Online_Art Voice Art Is Not Money, Money Is Not Art, The Artnet–Artsy Merger: An Impossible Project

One of the most significant stories in the global art world recently has been Pace Gallery’s large-scale staff reductions and restructuring of its artist roster. Across the international art community, the news was widely interpreted as a sign of crisis within the mega-gallery model.

2026.06.23
Gallery_Art Voice The Crisis of the Mega-Gallery Model: From an Era of Expansion to an Era of Focus

Recently, major media outlets including The New York Times, the international contemporary art platform Ocula, and ARTnews have extensively reported on the large-scale restructuring of Pace Gallery, one of the world’s leading mega-galleries. In particular, remarks by Pace CEO Marc Glimcher describing the current gallery model as not merely “broken” but effectively “unfixable” have sent ripples throughout the global art world.

2026.06.09

Art Insights

Providing insightful perspectives and in-depth analysis of Korean contemporary art.
Art+_Art Insight A $6.2 Million Banana: The End of Art or a New Beginning?

On November 20th, Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork, Comedian, once again stunned the world when it sold for $6.2 million (approximately KRW 8.67 billion) at Sotheby’s in New York. This event transcends mere sensationalism, offering a philosophical lens to reassess how contemporary art functions within the capitalist system.

2024.11.26
Artist_Art Insight The Atmosphere of That Day and Place

Jong Oh has been creating work that involves staying in the space where his pieces will be installed, observing and feeling the architectural elements and invisible sensations of that place, and visualizing these through constructive forms.

2024.10.15
Art Theory_Art Guide Modern, Postmodern, Contemporary

What we commonly refer to as "art" (예술 in Korean) consists of "craft" (藝) and "technique" (術). The English word "art" originates from the Greek word "ars," meaning technique (techne). Before the 17th century, practical arts such as architecture, crafts, and design were all referred to as "art." However, as painting and sculpture separated from architecture, they came to be called fine art.

2024.10.08
Art Theory_Art Insight Illuminating Korean Experimental Art (6)

Korean experimental art is driven by artists seeking to experiment and innovate and is comprised of attempts to overcome conventional art forms and experiences. In these attempts, artists have pushed the boundaries of convention and created original works, helping shape a culture that values artistic freedom and diversity.

2023.09.18
Art Theory_Art Insight Illuminating Korean Experimental Art (5)

While there are countless artists who have contributed to the development of the experimental art movement, we will highlight a few of them in the hope that their work will help more people to better understand the landscape of experimental art in Korea.

2023.09.11
Art Theory_Art Insight Illuminating Korean Experimental Art (4)

This article will provide a brief introduction to the prominent groups such as Korean Avant-Garde Association” (A.G., 1969–1975), “Space & Time” (S.T., 1969–1981), and “The Fourth Group” (1970).

2023.09.04