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Visitors on Sept. 3 look around at the global art fair Frieze Seoul at COEX Mall in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

By Charles Audouin

The Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) and Frieze Seoul, two of the nation’s largest fine arts festivals, kicked off on Sept. 3 at COEX Mall in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu District.

Hosted by Galleries Association of Korea, KIAF has 175 participating galleries including 50 from 20 countries. The main section KIAF Gallery features diverse works by artists such as Park Seo-bo, Kim Tschang-Yeul and Kim Taek Sang of Korea and Shiota Chiharu from Japan and Ugo Rondinone from Switzerland.

The KIAF Plus section features emerging figures and galleries; KIAF Highlights spotlights 10 up-and-coming artists; and the joint Korean-Japanese exhibition “Reverse Cabinet” features curators from both countries to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties.

Visitors to KIAF Seoul and Frieze Seoul on Sept. 3 look at works there. On the left are the works of Takashi Murakami from Perrotin Gallery and on the right are those of Yang Jung Uk from Gallery Hyundai. (Lee Jeongwoo)

Launched in 2003 in London, Frieze debuted in Seoul in 2022 after stopping over in major world cities such as Los Angeles and New York. About 120 galleries are participating in this year’s edition, with 10 from the Asian countries of Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Thailand to be featured.

Globally prominent galleries that often take part in Frieze such as David Zwirner, Lehmann Maupin, Pace and White Cube have booths at Frieze Seoul. From U.S.-based Gagosian Gallery is a gargantuan four-panel work by Takashi Murakami, while Korean galleries are represented at kiosks run by Gallery Hyundai, Kukje Gallery and Hakgojae Gallery.

In addition, KIAF and Frieze Seoul will also host a discussion for global art luminaries jointly with the Korea Arts Management Service.

First lady Kim Hea Kyung (second from left) on Sept. 3 listens to a guide at the Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) Seoul at COEX Mall in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

The opening ceremony of KIAF Seoul and Frieze Seoul was attended by dignitaries like first lady Kim Hea Kyung, First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Young Soo, and Frieze CEO Simon Fox. A VIP preview was also held.

“As K-culture’s standing has grown, the number of international visitors to art museums and galleries nationwide has surged,” the first lady said. “A feast of art that gathers world-class galleries and skilled artists will make Seoul a more vibrant and appealing city.”

The beginning of the VIP preview saw the entrance of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Celebrities also attended including RM, leader of the K-pop sensation BTS, Lisa from the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK and 2010 Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna.

Frieze Seoul will run through Sept. 6 and KIAF until Sept. 7.

This is the entrance to Frieze House Seoul, which was built by the architectural company Samuso Hyojadong and opened on Sept. 2 in the Yaksu-dong neighborhood of Seoul’s Jung-gu District.

More works can be enjoyed outside of the two fairs. Frieze Seoul will hold an exhibition until Oct. 2 to celebrate the opening of Frieze House Seoul, a permanent display space opened on Sept. 2 in the Yaksu-dong neighborhood of Seoul’s Jung-gu District.

Millennium Hall at Incheon International Airport through Sept. 17 will showcase 50 artworks from 10 galleries in an external KIAF exhibition.

caudouin@korea.kr