Frieze Seoul

— September 5, 2022 by YIART

This fall, Frieze Seoul, an international art fair, opened its doors in Seoul, South Korea for the first time. More than 110 galleries were exhibited, including internationally renowned galleries and local Korean galleries. Over the past years, international art fairs have been promoting different galleries in hopes of making them more global. Additionally, the inauguration of Frieze Seoul has greatly impacted the art world.

Frieze was first held in London and extended to New York, Los Angeles, and then Asia, with Seoul becoming the first city in Asia ever to host Frieze. It was held at COEX Convention & Exhibition Center from September 2 to September 5. At the same time, Kiaf Seoul was also held at COEX from September 3 to September 6.

Former executive director of Gallery Hyundai, Patrick Lee said that art collectors would be impressed by the level of quality and high quality developments in Seoul’s art facilities, performance spaces, local collections, museums, and galleries. He mentioned that although Frieze Seoul is smaller than other large-scale exhibitions spaces that can accommodate more than 200 galleries, it is at an advantage that allows collectors to really explore in depth, slow down, and meet the participants at the fair.

Many internationally renowned galleries were at Frieze Seoul, including Pace Gallery, David Zwirner, Gladstone Gallery (NY), Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, and White Cube.

Pace Gallery has been in the art market for 58 years and has also been in Asia for 10 years. A selection of abstract works were on view at Frieze, featuring works by artists such as Huong Dodinh, Virginia Jaramillo, Maysha Mohamedi, Torkwase Dyson, Adam Pendleton, as well as Agnes Martin and her 6x6 painting (a cornerstone of the exhibition). The pale stripes floating on the canvas of Martin’s work Untitled #2 (1992) reflects the artist’s use of media, while exploring themes such as perception, experiences, and expression. After Untitled #2, her works returned to vivid colors. Some of the booth highlights also include new sculptures by Lynda Benglis. Her works appear to be organic and abstract at the same time, showcasing her creative energy through colorful and sensual shapes. Pace Seoul will now have an outdoor sculpture courtyard and a tea house, in collaboration with Osulloc.

Gladstone Gallery features mixed media work Untitled 2022 (tomorrow is the question, rénmín rìbào, march 24, 2022) by Thai contemporary artist Rirkrit Tiravanija who developed his artistic practice and culinary-focused artworks in New York. Some of Tiravanija’s works are also featured such as Untitled 1989, a pedestal work that includes kitchen utensils used to cook curry and Untitled 1990 (pad thai), a work in which Tiravanija cooks pad thai noodles at the Paula Allen Gallery and serves them to guests. His works are related to the concept of “relational aesthetics” proposed by art critic Nicolas Bourriaud.

Artists on display at David Zwirner: minimalist artist Donald Judd, Nate Lowman, an artist who transformed a large number of images from art history, journalism, and pop culture, and British artist Rose Wylie, whose unique works are rich in color and a reflection of the complicated nature of visual expression. Additionally, Oscar Murillo’s works demonstrate the concept of cultural understanding and cultural exchanges.

Artists on display at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery: Olafur Eliasson, Tomas Saraceno, and Sarah Sze. Eliasson and Saraceno are both known for their large scale installations. Eliasson uses elements such as light and water in his works, adjusting spaces to enhance the viewing experience, while Saraceno uses a “net” as a theme and “lines” to create linear sculptures. By using a range of everyday objects, Sze incorporates elements of painting, architecture, and installation in her sculptures, as she tries to replicate the constant proliferation of information and objects in modern life.

Artists on display at White Cube: legendary graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, British artist Tracey Emin, Georg Baselitz (known for his paintings of upside-down figures), and Palestinian-British artist Mona Hatoum (known for her works that turn chairs, cribs, and everyday objects into seemingly strange and dangerous objects).

Hyundai Gallery, a well known local gallery in South Korea that features Korean modern and contemporary art was at Frieze Seoul. Three artists concerned with Korean experimental art were exhibited: Quac Insik, Seung-taek Lee, and Park Hyunki. A common material used among the three artists and a symbol of their booth was stone. The “original” stone represents natural elements, attempting to combine with different media techniques in order to symbolize the relationship between Korea and the west.

COEX Convention & Exhibition Center provided a two-in-one exhibition experience as Kiaf Seoul was held on the first floor of the same building, with more than 160 galleries exhibited. Frieze has collaborated with Kiaf on many shows in the past, even combining their admission tickets. Kiaf is carried out by the Galleries Association of Korea, an organization that has been established for more than 40 years. The lineup of works exhibited this year are also on par with Frieze Seoul.

Frieze Seoul September 2 - 5, COEX Convention & Exhibition Center, Korea

Frieze Seoul

— September 5, 2022 by YIART

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