On a Sunday in Seoul is very crowd and busy. This big and noise energy comes from various art galleries and museums. In the concrete, famous foreign artist’s exhibitions, like to Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso, are found easy in the local museums. Most people pay attention to their big names and want to see these exhibitions.
On the contrary, many Korean artists disregard to Korean audiences. Particularly, new figures in the art scene find it hard to earn fame here in Korea. This clear contradiction shows circle of Korean contemporary art.
Now, we have to wonder. "Where are the 'lively' and 'young' artists?" But do not worry about that. Many artists go through the high fence in 'Alternative space'.
In Korea, alternative space was introduced to curators who studied United States and Europe. In these countries, alternative space galleries mean the place to exhibit Africa American art or feminism art that did not round to major art scene. And they aimed to nonprofit and free art gallery. Before a 5~6 years, young curators established alternative space gallery called 'Loop'. That is was first alternative space in Korea. Soon, other curators and artists set up their individually alternative space.
So, why they set the alternative space? Many art scene people said, "'IMF situation' was the important reason of Korean alternative space’s birth." at that time, many galleries closed and famous foreign find art figures hung to the wall in museum and galleries frequently. Then, young and passionate artists and curators who had discontent to commercial galleries resisted to that condition. Finally they built the alternative space as an 'alternative plan for contemporary art'.
After seven years, now, Korean alternative spaces have their own voice and power. On the international art festival front, like the Gwang-Ju Biennale, festival programmers preferred artists who come from alternative space. These works are very experimental and exceptional. Also many alternative spaces make a fresh and highly motivated mood. That is improving the Korean art world.
Each space has their characters and gives interaction each other. One of well-known alternative space 'Pool' has the base in popular art. They have their own education programs and artist meeting time and discuss whole art world and trend. Up to date, alternative space 'Loop' is ready to advance into other country and new spaces try to find their own surviving ability and character and they are agony in that.
These worries happened during to finding a 'next alternative art'. In the last seven years, many of alternative spaces set and closed again. In this process, some curators and artist have wonder about 'nonprofit' and 'alternative'. Almost all alternative spaces are annoyed by financial problem and they have to find ways to raise funds. Some of them choose the artwork selling and other choose the lending a gallery to one person or a group.
Also, some of cultural experts point out the ‘wrong communication’ problem. They said, "Alternative space made a stranger trend and became estranged from public. That is not a motto of alternative space."
Actually, some of young audiences of alternative space are worry about this issue. University student, Kim Jung-hee said, "I go to the alternative space often but some of space lose their goal or purpose. That type space’s artists are too introspecting." Other audience, Jin Su-hyun said, "Recently, some of works does not to speak for outside world. They are going to inside little by little. Those works are clearly boring to me."
If alternative space loses the communication with public that will generate a big trouble for then in the future. Because these space are the closest cultural spot to local area citizen. When many alternative spaces build in every street, they will have real power of normal audience and develop on their way.
Fortunately, a few of young artists and individuals pay attention to this problem. And Seoul fringe festival is one device to getting near to young viewers. Seoul fringe festival does not have screening process. If some artist wanted to participate in this festival, he just applies to festival sponsor. Against to established culture world, this festival gives to various possibilities and freedom to unknown artist.
Also that makes low the fence of involved art. As a result, young generations feel a positive effect from various art and many of them keep come to alternative space. Seoul fringe festival is putting down roots for cultural event for artists and every audience.
And in latest days, each alternative space effort to make a new exhibition for first stage audience and part of citizen come into alternative space constantly.
On the other side, existence alternative spaces try to some new and creative exhibition. Between with a few of alternative spaces made their network and gather development methods. Above all, they must keep observation on communication with young audiences. If alternative space loses their viewer, they can exist anymore.
Of course, they must maintain their first aim to ‘be Alternative’. Alternative space born for gives some experimental view to establishing art world and our thoughts. So, alternative space’s distress must keep continue because our blue print is changing in everyday. Alternative space and we have some 'alternative plan' to our next days.
| An Interview with Curator Woo Heewon in alternative space area. |
| Alternative space miccle made by art project group 'Sfumatology'. This unique name is felt to their free spirits. This small and narrow space in street of Seogyo-dong, established still about one year. But miccle has the young and fresh energy. *What is the problem when managing the alternative space? *How about other else? Do not any problems to audience’s reactions or planning a new exhibition? *What is your next plan for development of miccle? * Would you give the comment to university student audience?
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