What Seoul needs now is another Paik Nam June

I was at the Samsung Gallery (The Leeum) in Iteawon looking at a Paik Nam June. The video from screens flickered constantly in the typical Paik Nam June way. This guy was looking at it next to me and said "It looks like a video game." He was not happy about the art work in front of him. Maybe that was the artists intention. To make people a little upset. The situation made me laugh a little. The fact that this guy was upset art did have an effect on him that day. What was he expecting to see at the gallery?
What we what to see in a gallery/museum usually does not match we want. Accept that or stay home and play video games.
One thing you can say about Paik he was always interesting. Korea could use another Paik right now.
There is a lot of art to see in Seoul. I love it and I don't take it for granted.
But it's no where near Tokyo. Not even the same ball park.
Japan did something right along the way. I'm not sure what. So in a sense they've earned the right to be a cultural hub. I do feel like Japan has more people who want to invest in art. Seoul could very well be another Tokyo.
Seoul could use another Paik Nam June. A new artist to help jump start an international dialog, because in the end that's what's gonna make or break a city.

Alt Space Loop -March 12, 2011

Though out this blog I've expressed my loved for Hongdae gallery, Alt Space Loop. I can always find something I enjoy there. ANd they keep it fresh with younger artists. This time was no different, however I've got some complaints this time. has brought attention to the fact that street art is in need of a serious make over. The graphics pasted on the side of the gallery is a good place to start. It's possible to make anything look fresh, but how many times have we seen guns meshed cartoon characters meshed with clouds? Since 1997 have I been looking at this stuff. I think the biggest problem with street art is that you see it everywhere now days. Magazines at barnes and noble, galleries, t-shirts, hand bags, stickers, websites and yes on the streets. I want some new images and colors to replace the old ones. It's like watching someone create almost the exact same some over and over again. I'm a person that enjoys visual culture but damn the culture has gotta change. Of course maybe this is all a good thing. Maybe this is the beginning of a new movement. Maybe there will be a change to street art and new path will be made. I'm hopeful. Art and therefore people have never let me down. There is some person in an apartment developing quiet magic for us.

New works from Alt Space Loop

Alt Space Loop is located in the area of Hongdae, Seoul Korea. Like most places in Seoul its impossible to find, but hey that's half the fun (Unless its -5 degrees outside). ALt space loop is a non profit organization or it has that not profit org feel to it. The building itself is really cool looking so you'll feel smart taking your friends there. There are two floors dedicated to art, one floor for the cafe and library and a fourth floor that they are fixing up for something new (Jan 2011). You'll never be let down by Alt Space Loop they always have something hot there. A lot of the art is by younger artists so it makes it fun. Having said that Korean contemporary art has been impressive. Seoul has become something of a hot bed for new painters. There's a lot of pop and realism. However a wave of outsider art has made it's way to Korea also. The pictures I posted here are from the latest Exhibit (Jan 2011). On the day I took these pictures there some people there. However many times I go there nobody's there which is interesting because go to Sang Sang Ma Dang on any given saturday and the place is packed. Sang Sang is located in the heart of Hongdae so I'm sure that has something to do with it. Not that you shouldn't check out Sang Sang Ma Dang it's always worth a check.