Giant Step Toward a World-Class Art Park Amidst Stunning Surroundings: Igidae Art Park
- Contents
-
Giant Step Toward a World-Class Art Park Amidst Stunning Surroundings: Igidae Art Park
□ In March, Busan Metropolitan City will kick off the establishment of Igidae Art Park, a cultural landmark set amid breathtaking scenery.
□ Committed to a premier cultural and artistic destination in nature, we are poised to build a high-end cultural and tourism platform featuring three key zones, the International Art Center, the Seaside Forest Gallery, and the Oryukdo Art Center.
○ The Art Pavilion, part of the International Art Center Zone, will stand as a focal point, seamlessly blending with Igidae’s natural beauty. After choosing service providers in 2025 and running an open call for artists, construction is expected to be completed by 2026. The pavilion will become the symbolic heart of Igidae Art Park, showcasing its splendor as a vibrant art hub.
○ Linking the Oryukdo Art Center and the International Art Center, the Seaside Forest Gallery Zone will consist of six to seven halls, displaying works by Korean and overseas masters. Applications will be accepted and reviewed starting in March, and candidates must submit proposals to host privately funded exhibitions.
○ The Oryukdo Art Center Zone, the gateway to Igidae Art Park, will house Yetdol Street and a wooden observatory. A total of 65 stone artifacts, including some repatriated from Japan, will be installed along Yetdol Street, enhanced with storytelling elements. These artifacts were donated by Cheon Shin-il, the Chairman of the Korean Stone Art Foundation. A feasibility study and design process for the eco-friendly wooden observatory will be conducted within the year, with completion set for 2028.
□ Prior to the full-scale launch, the first Igidae Art Park Advisory Committee meeting took place on February 11 at 1:30 PM in City Hall's Large Conference Room. Presided over by Mayor Park Heong-joon, the meeting was intended to refine the execution of Igidae Art Park’s roadmap.
○ The advisory committee will offer guidance on development and operations planning, determine artist qualifications for the Seaside Forest Gallery, and recommend artists for the Art Pavilion. The meeting gathered valuable insights from a variety of professional fields.
○ Mayor Park and approximately ten specialists shared their perspectives.
○ The agenda encompassed opening remarks by the mayor, member appointments, a promotional video screening, roadmap presentations by the Director of the Green City Bureau, and in-depth discussions.
□ A highlight of the Igidae Art Park Advisory Committee was the participation of Thomas Heatherwick, often referred to as the ‘Leonardo da Vinci of the twenty-first century,’ alongside notable architects, designers, and artists from around the globe.
○ We will combine urban design ideas from Mr. Heatherwick and other participants and consolidate public-private partnerships to encourage citizen involvement in the park’s creation and management.
□ By incorporating committee suggestions, we will ensure that both domestic and foreign experts, as well as local contributors, have their roles to play in shaping Igidae Art Park into a globally reputable art space.
□ Mayor Park stated, “We will transform Igidae into the world’s most renowned artistic gem, distinguished by unique content and artworks. Our vision will be carried out efficiently and transparently according to a coherent long-term plan. We hope that the public art-based innovations sparked here will spread throughout Busan, further solidifying the city’s position as a global hub city. We look forward to your unwavering interest.”
Seaside Forest Gallery
