Seoul Architecture Awards returns with new student category

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has opened submissions for the 44th Seoul Architecture Awards, inviting both completed works and student ideas. Aiming to rediscover the city’s own architectural identity, the awards newly implemented the category for student ideas this year, which is open to teams composed of one tutor and one student. Tutors must be university professors or lecturers, while eligible students include those currently enrolled, on leave or who graduated earlier in 2026. The theme

2026-05-17 17:25:15:00

South Korea and Japan take look at history of artistic exchanges since 1945

Relations between South Korea and Japan remained strained long after Japan's colonial rule (1910-1945) ended. It took 20 years for the two countries to normalize diplomatic ties, and more than 60 years have passed since. An exhibition marking that 60th anniversary now sheds light on how artists from both nations have engaged with one another over the past eight decades, bringing together nearly 200 works by 43 artists and collectives at MMCA Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province. “Art Between Korea and

2026-05-17 13:47:58:00

Wallace Chan turns Venice into a cosmic dreamscape

Korea Herald Correspondent VENICE, Italy -- Climbing the spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo reveals a panoramic view of Venice’s rooftops and bell towers. Less crowded than the city’s major tourist landmarks, the 15th-century structure — often described as one of Venice’s hidden gems — once also served as an astronomical observation point. “German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel, using a telescope here, made an important discovery of a previously unknown comet and nebula,” said James Put

2026-05-16 16:00:00:00

Samoo Architects & Engineers wins top prize at modular construction awards

Samoo Architects & Engineers has won first place in the Permanent Modular Education category at the World of Modular Awards, the company announced Monday. The modular and off-site construction industry awards were held in Las Vegas from April 20 to 23, bringing together architects, manufacturers, engineers and construction firms working in prefabricated and modular building technologies. Samoo received the award for a large-scale training facility it designed for Samsung Electronics in Suwon, Gy

2026-05-14 17:57:07:00

Three Venice shows everyone is talking about

Korea Herald correspondent VENICE, Italy — The Venice Biennale is packed with major exhibitions drawing art professionals from around the world. Coinciding with the world’s most prestigious art biennale, The Korea Herald recommends three must-visit museum shows in Venice. While walking remains the best way to experience the city, exhausted visitors can also hop on the vaporetto — Venice’s public water bus — which conveniently stops near each museum. Located along the Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi

2026-05-13 16:15:59:00

New Seoul art fair HIVE drops booth fees in market experiment

The inaugural HIVE Art Fair in Seoul will experiment with an alternative business model that removes set booth fees and places emphasis on curatorial presentation. The five-event fair will start on May 21 at COEX Magok. Unlike conventional art fairs that typically charge fixed booth fees, HIVE will introduce what organizers describe as a "selective purchase system," allowing galleries to decide which services and installations they want to pay for. “The approach was intended to reduce financial

2026-05-12 14:52:42:00

Climate-themed media art festival opens at Ewha commemorating Nam June Paik

Ewha Womans University has kicked off the first and only university-led international media art fair on its campus, marking both the university’s 140th anniversary and 20 years since the death of pioneering video art founder Nam June Paik. The Ewha Media Art Presentation, known as EMAP, was founded in 2001, following Paik’s appointment as the university’s distinguished professor. The 15th edition of the event, which began on Monday and runs through Saturday, brings together 40 artists and collec

2026-05-12 14:07:01:00

ASEAN museum leaders discuss AI, cultural partnerships during Korea visit

Senior museum officials from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are gathering in Korea this week to discuss AI-driven cultural exchange and ways to strengthen heritage partnerships between Korea and ASEAN member states. The week-long program, organized by the Korea Foundation under the “2026 KF Invitation Program for Influential Figures from ASEAN Strategic Regions,” runs from Monday to Saturday across Seoul, Daejeon and Busan. Invited participants include Indira Estiyanti Nurjadin, head of

2026-05-11 16:57:27:00

Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale asks what ‘liberation’ means after political turmoil

Korea Herald correspondent VENICE, Italy — Red pipes burst through the walls of the Korean Pavilion like acupuncture needles piercing a body to open blocked energy flows. Inside, translucent organza pieces connected into skin-like cellular forms gently guide visitors through spaces for waiting, mourning, resting and gathering. At first glance, the exhibition feels less like a conventional national pavilion than a strange living organism. Located within Venice’s Giardini, where 32 countries stage

2026-05-07 15:43:55:00

Venice Biennale opens under shadow of war, protest and 'Minor Keys'

Korea Herald correspondent VENICE, Italy — As if reflecting this year's theme, the weather in Venice was gloomy and rainy as the 2026 Venice Biennale opened Wednesday under the title "In Minor Keys." After Koyo Kouoh, artistic director of the 61st edition of the biennale, suddenly died of cancer last year, her curatorial team carried forward the exhibition, which runs through Nov. 22 and features 110 artists and collectives across the Giardini and Arsenale. “The minor keys refuse orchestral bomb

2026-05-07 13:50:50:00