Seoul hotels get in on the Frieze action with their own art events

[Hotel News] With both the Frieze and Kiaf Seoul art fairs kicking off Wednesday, five-star hotels in the capital have also launched their own slew of artistic promotions.

[Hotel News] With both the Frieze and Kiaf Seoul art fairs slated to kick off Wednesday, five-star hotels in the capital have also launched their own slew of artistic promotions. The Korea JoongAng Daily compiled a list of ongoing art events at Sofitel Ambassador, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt and Signiel Seoul.

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul

Ran Hwang's artworks [SOFITEL AMBASSADOR SEOUL]

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Songpa District, southern Seoul, is displaying artworks by Korean artist Ran Hwang at its lobby from Monday to Sept. 29.

The new exhibition revolves around plum blossoms, giwa (clay rooftiles on traditional Korean houses called hanok) and chandeliers. Four of her pieces have been selected to be featured at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul.

The hotel is set to host a talk session with Hwang and art magazine Art in America's chief editor Richard Vine, on Tuesday, reviewing and discussing the artistic process behind Hwang's works.

Hwang’s works will be exhibited not only at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul but also at Kiaf Seoul 2024.

The artist's staple piece at the hotel, "The Secret Sublime," features a chandelier with a Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) headpiece to indicate Sofitel Ambassador Seoul's core philosophy of cultural links. Decorated with flowers, it is one of the hotel's most popular photo spots, Sofitel added. (02) 2092 6000 www.sofitel.accor.com/en/hotels/

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Artwork displayed at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno District, central Seoul [FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SEOUL]

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno District, central Seoul, is hosting art exhibitions, dining and seminars in collaboration with modern art gallery Mondeouvert, also in Jongno District, through mid-November.

Dubbed "Timeless Art, Passion at Heart," the displayed artworks are curated around Korea's four seasons and feature Korean artists Chun Hee-kyung, Nam Sang-woon, Lee Sea-hyun and Choi Young-wook. Four Seasons will be operating a docent program for those who are interested in more in-depth information about the works

The hotel will also display "Flying Whale," a kinetic brass and wood sculpture by Lee Sang-yong, a Korean landscape installation by Yoon Hyun-jin and flower pieces by Nicolai Bergmann.

On Sept. 12, the hotel’s Italian restaurant Boccalino will be serving up a dinner menu inspired by the featured art, focusing on Korea's four seasons. After dinner, there will be an auction of works by participating artists, and a portion of the proceeds will be used to support art education for young, aspiring artists through local organizations.

For its overnight guests, there will be a seminar, proceeding in both English and Korean, about Korean modern art. Participants who dine at Boccalino or the hotel’s bar OUL will receive two complimentary welcome drink coupons. Seats to the seminar are limited, and online reservations are required.

(02) 6388-5500 www.fourseasons.com/seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul

Artist Vakki [GRAND HYATT SEOUL]

Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan District, central Seoul, will be collaborating with The Trinity gallery from Friday to Sept. 26 to display artworks by modern Korean artist Vakki.

Dubbed Form : Beat ≒ Color : Frequency - Vakki in Seoul, it provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to enjoy Vakki's new works across a variety of mediums and genres. Vakki has received a lot of attention both at home and abroad for her works that express the formative elements of surrounding objects in geometric patterns.

On Friday, the hotel's live band and bar venue JJ Mahoney's will host Frieze Night with Vakki at JJ Mahoney’s, which will feature Vakki as a DJ. The bar will be serving a welcome drink inspired by the artist's works.

At its outdoor venue Gallery Patio, the hotel will be serving three types of Ruinart champagnes — blanc de blancs, rose, and brut — at discounted prices. A charcuterie plate will be provided upon drink orders. The promotion runs through Sept. 30.

(02) 797-123 www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/

Signiel Seoul

Exterior of Signiel Seoul in Songpa District, southern Seoul [SIGNIEL SEOUL]

Signiel Seoul in Songpa District, southern Seoul, is offering a room package that includes an entry pass to Frieze Seoul, available from Wednesday to Saturday.

Overnight guests can choose between a VIP pass and a preview pass to Frieze Seoul this year, slated to begin at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. Those with a VIP pass can enter the art fair from 2 p.m. on Sept. 4 and those with a preview pass can enter from 11 a.m. on Sept. 5. One pass lets up to two people attend.

Stocks are limited. Reservations are available through Signiel Seoul's official website. (02) 3213-1000 www.lottehotel.com/seoul-signiel/ko.html

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]