Alternative Space LOOP
Seoul Learn more about what's on at Alternative Space LOOP and the artists shaping its programme.Established in 1999, Alternative Space LOOP is Korea’s first alternative space dedicated to experimental contemporary art. It is located in Hongdae, a district in Seoul famous for its art and independent music scenes throughout the late 1990s and 2000s.
To be an alternative space in the 1990s Korean art world meant to show then-unconventional art forms, such as video, performance, and installation art. LOOP continues to build ‘alternative life philosophies and aesthetics in neoliberal times,’ exploring current political and social issues with attention to climate change, ecofeminism, and art capitalism.
In 2019, LOOP celebrated its 20th anniversary by beginning anew as a nonprofit organisation. In addition to nine board members, who are active practitioners in the cultural and artistic fields in Korea, it is supported by eighty general members. LOOP remains committed to providing a platform for emerging artists and independent curators, holding annual open calls for projects, and seeks civic engagement through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and collaborative and exchange programmes.
Recent projects at Alternative Space LOOP include Hexed, Vexed, and Sexed, a group exhibition of 8 Korean women artists at West Den Haag in the Netherlands in 2023; Sisters We Grow (2022), an exchange programme between LOOP and the San Francisco Art Commission; and Refugia: Sound Projects by 11 Women Artists (2021).
Discover Alternative Space LOOP in the midst of the vibrant Hongdae on your next visit to Seoul.
Alternative Space LOOP FAQs
What kind of art or events does LOOP host?
LOOP specialises in contemporary and experimental art. It hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, roundtables, and international collaborations. Events are geared toward exploring current social, cultural, and artistic topics.
Who can visit LOOP?
LOOP is open to everyone. Its events and exhibitions are free and accessible to the public, regardless of background or age.
Are there any admission fees?
No—LOOP’s programmes and exhibitions are free of charge, reflecting its community-focused and non-commercial philosophy.
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