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Museum_Art Voice What the Damien Hirst Exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Means: The Museum's ‘After Symbolic Capital’ The Damien Hirst exhibition held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art carries a meaning that goes beyond that of a typical exhibition of a famous overseas artist. It is an event that introduces a single artist, but at the same time it serves as an occasion to reconsider how the system of contemporary art operates today and what role a national museum should play within that structure
2026.03.17

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Museum_Art Voice What the Damien Hirst Exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Means: The Museum's ‘After Symbolic Capital’

The Damien Hirst exhibition held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art carries a meaning that goes beyond that of a typical exhibition of a famous overseas artist. It is an event that introduces a single artist, but at the same time it serves as an occasion to reconsider how the system of contemporary art operates today and what role a national museum should play within that structure

2026.03.17
Art+_Art Voice The “Korea Artist Prize” at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: What Is at Stake? Institutional Representation, Public Accountability, and International Strategy

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), in partnership with the SBS Foundation, has announced the shortlisted artists for the “Korea Artist Prize 2026”

2026.02.24
Art+_Art Voice Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Nam June Paik’s Passing: Rethinking Korea Today, Nam June Paik and the Whitney Biennial Seoul 1993

The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of Nam June Paik (1932–2006). Long before the emergence of the World Wide Web, Paik envisioned a globally networked society. In 1974, he began conceptualizing Electronic Superhighway, anticipating the cultural and social transformations that digital networks would bring. As early as 1964, he introduced Robot K-456, bringing the relationship between humans and machines into the realm of artistic experimentation.

2026.01.27
Art+_Art Voice Where Is Korea’s Contemporary Art Support System Headed? A Cultural Policy Obsessed with Results

President Lee Jae-myung recently emphasized that “in the international society of the 21st century, culture is at the core of national prestige and national power,” adding that “even an additional supplementary budget should be arranged if necessary to restore and strengthen the foundations of culture and the arts.”

2026.01.20
Art+_Art Voice Korean Contemporary Art: Who Produces the Discourse?

In recent years, Korean contemporary art has no longer remained on the periphery of the global art world. Korean artists are continuously invited to major biennials and international museums, and in terms of both form and subject matter, Korean contemporary art has increasingly demonstrated the ability to respond to global artistic standards.

2026.01.06
Art Fair_Art Voice Frieze and Kiaf Agree to a Five-Year Extension: Partnership or Dependence? Kiaf’s Challenge on the Path to Becoming a Global Art Fair

The partnership between Frieze Seoul and Kiaf SEOUL has been extended for an additional five years. Approved with near-unanimous support at an extraordinary general meeting of the Galleries Association of Korea, the decision represents more than a simple contract renewal. It signals how the association—which oversees and operates Kiaf—currently understands and positions the structure of the art fair within Korea’s art ecosystem.

2025.12.23

Art Insights

Providing insightful perspectives and in-depth analysis of Korean contemporary art.
Art Theory_Art Insight The Age of Reification: Capitalism and the Crisis of Fine Art (2) – How the Intrinsic Value of Art Is Distorted by Use and Exchange Value

In contemporary life, we often speak of “value,” yet rarely do we pause to examine what we mean by it. Under capitalism, value is almost instinctively reduced to a single measure: price. Art is no exception. The inherent meaning of a work—its inner necessity and expressive urgency—has gradually been pushed aside, while marketability and investment potential increasingly dictate how art is evaluated and consumed.

2025.04.15
Art Theory_Art Insight The Age of Reification: Capitalism and the Crisis of Fine Art (1)

At the dawn of the 21st century, the art world is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by the rapidly evolving forces of capitalism, technological revolutions, and globalization. This transformation is not merely a sign of the times but a seismic shift that shakes the very foundation upon which art exists.

2025.03.25
Art+_Art Insight How Can Korean Contemporary Art Establish Itself on the Global Stage?

Korean contemporary art is gaining increasing attention worldwide. Major international museums and biennales are showcasing works by Korean artists, and global art markets are demonstrating a growing interest in Korean contemporary art.

2025.03.18
Art Market_Art Insight The 2025 Art Fair Outlook Through the Lens of Korea’s 2024 Art Fairs

The Korean art market experienced significant shifts in 2024, with notable fluctuations in auction performance and art fair dynamics. In particular, the total hammer price in Korea’s domestic art auction market saw a 26% decline in the third quarter compared to the previous year, fueling concerns over an ‘art fair crisis.’

2025.03.11
Artist_Art Insight Ha Chong Hyun's "Conjunction" and the Subversion of Painting: Materiality, Gesture, and Space

Ha Chong Hyun (b. 1935) is regarded as a pioneer of Dansaekhwa (Korean monochrome painting) in contemporary Korean art. His representative series, ‘Conjunction’, has played a crucial role in introducing Korean abstract painting to the global art scene.

2025.02.25
Art+_Art Insight George Condo: The Boundary Between Popularity and Value

In the contemporary art market, George Condo is recognized for his original style and strong portrayal of characters. His works fetch high prices at auction and often appear in the collections of high-profile collectors.

2024.12.03