Art Busan heads to the capital with Define: Seoul 2023

Art Busan, one of Korea's biggest art fairs, is expanding to Seoul with Define: Seoul 2023. The fair, emphasizing design and fine art, features 25 galleries and design studios. It hopes to attract attention to the vibrant Seongsu-dong neighborhood.

″Abstract Ignition″ (2016) by Park Hong-gu [DEFINE SEOUL]

Art Busan, one of the nation’s biggest art fairs situated in Korea’s southeastern port metropolis, is expanding to the capital city.

It will hold its first Seoul-based art fair, Define: Seoul 2023, from Nov. 1 to 5 in the Seongsu-dong neighborhood of Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. Define contrasts with Art Busan in that it includes not only fine art but also heavily emphasizes design, like crafts and design furniture.

This is Art Busan’s attempt to promote the culture of collecting in Korea, and 25 galleries, design studios and living brands are participating, including Kukje Gallery, PKM Gallery, Cheyul and Duson Gallery.

Define is spread out across Seongsu in venues Layer27, Layer41 and Andy’s 636. Apart from other art fairs, which typically rent out an entire convention hall like Coex, Define hopes to bring attention to its surrounding areas as well, according to Art Busan’s managing director Jeong Seok-ho during a press conference on Tuesday.

“Seongsu has lots of potential in that it is filled with different subcultures,” Jeong said. Seongsu has been rising in recent years as a young hot spot for both fashion and arts, boasting a plethora of pop-up or flagship stores for major brands.

″Nameless″ (2020) by Na Jeom-soo [DEFINE SEOUL]

The art fair includes a main exhibition, curated by famed interior designer Teo Yang, which centers on woodworks by highlighting the works of artisan Park Hong-gu and artist Na Jeom-soo. Yang was selected as one of the world’s top 100 designers by Architectural Digest and is the founder of the eponymous Teoyang Studio.

By marking its beginning in Seoul, Define has goals to branch out overseas and further “define” the trends and design of each city.

Tickets are 30,000 won ($20) and can be purchased on the 29CM website. A preorder discount is available until the end of this month. For more information, visit defineseoul.com.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]