Japan colonial building finds new life as culture complex, exhibits 'Herbst'

An old colonial building in Daejeon has been transformed into a cultural complex named Heredium. The complex recently held its first art exhibition, titled "Herbst," featuring the works of German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer.

Heredium in Dong District, Daejeon, used to be one of the branches for the Oriental Development Company during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule. [HEREDIUM]

DAEJEON — An old, shabby brick house that was constructed by the Japanese government to launch a company that would monopolize and exploit the Korean economy during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule kept that same notorious reputation for decades, up until recently.

The Oriental Development Company’s Daejeon branch in Dong District was newly reborn as Heredium, a cultural complex.

Heredium, which is Latin for hereditary estate, is meant to represent a new beginning for the building. It initially opened back in March, but it was not until last month that it finally kicked off its first art exhibition, titled “Herbst,” which fills the space with the artwork of 78-year-old German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer.

Herbst means fall in German.

″Herbst, Fur R. M. Rilke″ (2022) by Anselm Kiefer [HEREDIUM]

It is Kiefer’s first solo exhibition at an art museum in Korea, despite already having held shows in renowned art galleries like Thaddaeus Ropac in Yongsan District, central Seoul.

In a way, Heredium and Kiefer are very much alike, director Ham Sun-jae said: They both have backgrounds in ruins. Kiefer is known for themes on German history, especially the aftermath of the Holocaust. Born in 1945 during World War II, Kiefer grew up experiencing the devastation of the war.

His works, despite usually being referred to as paintings, are unique in that they also seem like sculptures. They give impressions of somberness and destruction through his use of impasto, a technique of laying paint or pigment so thickly that it stands out from a surface, and attaching straw, dead leaves, tree branches, ash or dirt directly onto the canvas.

Still, Kiefer conveys messages of hope and finding a new breath of life in the midst of pain, just like with the renovation of Heredium.

“The Oriental Development Company building may have a sad story behind it, and it was on the verge of staying abandoned, so we’re especially thrilled that Kiefer’s message fits well with our new beginning,” Ham said.

″Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr″ (2022) by Anselm Kiefer [HEREDIUM]

The two-story building was rejuvenated by implementing a more contemporary atmosphere, but some elements still preserve the Oriental Development Company’s primary state. The red brick tiles on the walls are a mix of the old ones and some replacements, distinguishable by their shades and quality. Visitors can also check out the original wooden windows and the ceilings exactly as they were from 100 years ago.

All 18 works on display, except for one installation of brick ruins, are new and were inspired by the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, which celebrates the transformation of life.

“Herbst” continues until Jan. 31 next year. Heredium is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except for Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets are 15,000 won ($11) for adults.

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