Frieze Builds on Korea Momentum with New Seoul Gallery
A long‑term commitment to the city Frieze calls ‘a focal point of the global art world’, the mega‑fair’s second project space will boast two galleries across 210 square metres intended for exhibitions, short‑term residencies, and events year round. Save to My Ocula
Frieze has announced it will open a new project space in Seoul inside a historic building in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Yaksu-dong, modelled after its London project space at No.9 Cork Street.
Launching alongside its fair, which will welcome 120 galleries to the COEX exhibition centre from 3 to 6 September, Frieze House Seoul will feature two galleries across 210 square metres intended for exhibitions, short-term residencies, and events year round.
The 1988 building will be renovated by local architecture firm Samuso Hyoja, with a garden that includes site-specific installations by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa from SANAA.
Frieze’s executive director of fairs Kristell Chadé called Seoul a ‘focal point for the global art world’ and said the project was a ‘natural and exciting evolution of [Frieze’s] presence in Korea’.
‘Our aim is to create new opportunities for galleries from all over the world to establish a presence in one of the world’s most dynamic art markets,’ Chadé said.
Frieze Seoul director Patrick Lee confirmed: ‘With Frieze House Seoul, we’re deepening our long-term commitment to the city and its artistic community and look forward to serving as a platform for ongoing creative exchange and inspiration.’
The initiative comes as Frieze prepares to renew its five-year contract with Galleries Association of Korea, which started when the fair moved into the city in 2022 and is set to expire next year.
Last month, the brand sold to Ari Emanuel, the former CEO of its ex-parent company, Hollywood entertainment agency Endeavor, who bought the mega-fair and media company in 2016.
During Frieze Seoul, the premises will host live performances from the fair’s Live sector. —[O]
Main image: Frieze House Seoul entrance. Designed by Seoul-based architectural studio Samuso Hyoja with site-specific installation by Japanese architecture studio SANAA. Courtesy Frieze Seoul.
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