ART BUSAN & Design
Established in 2012 to promote the city as an important cultural centre, Art Busan has quickly grown in both size and popularity. Currently, this large-scale contemporary art show attracts about 160 galleries from Korea, Asia and the rest of the world. The fair has kept ahead of the changes in contemporary art and offers innovative and experimental pieces by emerging artists. It is a successful international platform for Korean artists. With visitor numbers reaching 60,000 every year, this 4-day fair is a lively event with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Special exhibitions are run alongside the show itself to attract and encourage a new audience of art lovers in the city. With KIAF in Seoul, Art Busan participates in making South Korea a new hub for contemporary art collectors.
Seokho Jeong shares his views!
Fair Director
ART BUSAN 2024
Location
BEXCO Exhibition Center 1
55, APEC-ro
Haeundae-gu, Busan
Republic of Korea
Dates
May 2024
Entrance Fee
General Admission: KRW 15,000
Students: KRW 10,500
Children Between 3 and 12: KRW 7,500
Seniors & Disabled: KRW 7,500
Mediums
Sculpture
Painting
Installations…
Art Periods
Contemporary
Contact
info@artbusankorea.com
+82 51 757 3530
Website
Insights ART BUSAN & Design
Seokho Jeong
Fair Director
What would you say is the DNA of ART BUSAN?
Being located in a beloved coastal city of Busan, ART BUSAN & Design’s DNA is rooted in the city’s dynamic energy. With its fifth largest port in the world, geographical closeness to Japanese and Chinese capitals, and the unique history as the last defense line during the Korean War, Busan holds great potentials to develop as a major art hub in Asia Pacific. ART BUSAN & Design has developed as a crucial event in Busan, along with Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), G-Star and Busan Biennale.
What type of galleries are chosen to exhibit, and why?
We try our best to present the ideal balance between domestic and overseas galleries. Expanding diversity is of course wonderful. However, we would want to also avoid having a fair overwhelmed by international programs. Our primary focus is the leading and established galleries. Yet, we also consider allocating certain percentage of exhibitors to support Korean and/or younger galleries.
What is the price range of pieces? Who is the average buyer?
We have a very diverse range from below 10,000 USD (emerging artists and editions) to multi-million dollars (Sam Francis, Kaws, Baselitz, for example). The majority of the works sold are in 50,000 – 100,000 USD range, as there has been noticeable increase in the number of younger and new generation collectors in recent years.
“Our primary focus is the leading and established local galleries.”
ART BUSAN & Design 2019 © Art Busan
Who is the typical attendee of ART BUSAN?
Our collectors are coming from all across Korea. In the last years, we also noticed an increasing number of international attendees, mainly from the East Asia region. This year it will be mostly domestic audience considering the pandemic and mandatory quarantine taking place.
What strategy – physical as digital – will you adopt in the short to medium term?
Thankfully we are able to present a hybrid of offline and online fair. In our online viewing room, viewers will be able to navigate 3D tour of booth installations, consult with advisors and participate in guided tours and talk programs. There will also be galleries that are participating exclusively in online. For those who are able to attend the fair physically, we are offering a combined entry to other exhibitions in the city, including public museums and Busan Biennale.
What are two other art fairs you would suggest?
Among younger fairs I most enjoyed visiting Paris Internationale. 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair would be my second pick.
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