Seoul’s eclectic Art OnO shines light on Japan’s artists and galleries

With more than 60 events annually, there’s no clear-cut model for how to successfully launch yet another art fair in South Korea. The newest addition to the roster, Art OnO in Seoul, went with a blended approach.

Founded by 33-year-old art collector JaeMyung Noh, the three-day event featured a modest number of 36 participating galleries from 15 countries, and employed an ambitious yet straightforward way to interconnect the capital’s gallery scene, drawing fairgoers to many of the city’s most prominent contemporary art spaces.

Art OnO took place from April 19 to 21 at the Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention (SETEC) center in the Gangnam district, under the on-the-nose ethos “young and fresh, but classy.” The theme reflects Noh’s vision of blending contemporary vibrancy with classical reverence in an intimate three-hall setting, with booths adjacent to such casual spots as a gourmet hot dog restaurant, an upscale soft serve ice cream parlor and an artisanal coffee shop where attendees could decompress.