‘Seoul’s public art deserves more attention’

Some 100 Seoul residents, art connoisseurs and city officials gathered at Seoul City Hall on Saturday to mark the completion of a two-month program to find and promote lesser-known street art and landmarks in the capital city.

Under the “Art on Seoul’s Streets Found by Citizens” project, participants -- in groups of 10 each joined by field experts -- visited various parts of Seoul to discover relatively unknown artworks. They came up with ideas on how to promote and preserve these hidden gems.

Wrapping up the two-month journey, they said that the program helped them build connections to Seoul’s public art. “We came to realize how important it is to find the meaning of installed public art,” said Lee Won-kyung, a Seoul resident who was a participant of the program.

After learning about relatively unknown artworks, participants said they developed a sense of duty to preserve them for the next generation through this program.

Participants also highlighted the coexistence of practicality and aesthetic elements as a significant factor in public art.

“After we walked around some 60 neighborhoods in 18 districts in Seoul, we noticed a variety of public art scattered around Seoul was not receiving recognition because they are in harmony with the background or the setting, like a random media facade that was installed near an apartment town in Mapo,” said Lee Chan-yang.

Others also said that the impact of public art can sometimes be maximized by keeping things to a minimum.

“A town in Dongdaemun was displaying too many public art installations -- some were even using one of the sculptures there as a chair. We suggest that Seoul City remove some of the public art on the streets so the citizens can have a better look at it,” said Yoon Hae-cheol.

Each group also chose the best and worst public art out of the some 3,400 pieces installed on the streets of Seoul.

For instance, a yellow safety zone storyboard installed on a road in Seocho to deter crimes at night was chosen as the best public art for its noticeable design as well as positive function.

“Recycling Haechi”, a sculpture made out of recycled bottles in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza and a statue inspired by the hit song “Gangnam Style” installed at Coex mall were chosen as Seoul’s worst public art pieces.

“So far, many of the programs supported by Seoul City were less likely to have been driven by citizens. However, the city expects to see more programs that are created by citizens, that involve the participation of citizens and assessed by citizens, just like ‘Art on Seoul’s Streets Found by Citizens’ project, so we can extend citizen participation in municipal programs,” said Go Hong-suk, the head of the cultural division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

“It is important for Seoul City to put in the necessary budget for installations or programs, which all citizens can participate in, to enjoy and share such public art,” said Kim Kyung-ja from Seoul City Council.

By Kim Da-sol(ddd@heraldcorp.com)